How to Make a Mold of a Baby's Hand

Create a baby's hand mold with plaster of Paris.

A child's hand mold makes for an inexpensive, yet valued gift idea for family members. Plaster of Paris is easy to use for a craft like this and can easily be found in craft stores. To personalize the hand molds, you can decorate and write the child's name on it with acrylic paints. A wonderful way of marking a milestone in your child''s life, you can turn the simple mold of your baby's hand into a wall hanging or garden decoration.

Things You'll Need

• Water
• Plaster of Paris
• Plastic bowl
• Measuring cup
• Mixing spoon
• Cardboard
• Scissors
• Stapler
• Aluminum foil
• Drinking straw
• Acrylic paints
• Clear acrylic spray

Instructions

1. Mix the plaster of Paris in a plastic mixing bowl. It's best to use a clean butter bowl, so that you can discard it when you are done instead of trying to wash it out before the plaster hardens. Pour about 4 cups of water into the bowl and slowly add the powdered plaster, stirring as you go. The plaster should have a creamy consistency like pancake batter.

2. Construct your simple mold with thin cardboard. Cut a cereal box into strips at the thickness you want your mold to have. Form the strips into the shape you want (a circle, a heart, and so on) and use a stapler to connect the ends of the cardboard. Spread a piece of aluminum foil on your table and lay the cardboard form on it.

3. Pour and scoop the plaster of Paris into the the mold. Spread it around with a spoon to even it out and fill up the cardboard form. Now the plaster should be thick enough so that it will hold the baby's hand print.

4. Hold the child's hand gently by her wrist and press it into the middle of the plaster. Wash the baby's hand immediately after with mild soap and warm water. If you plan on hanging the mold, stick a large drinking straw through the plaster about ½ inch from the top edge and leave it there.

5. Allow the mold to dry overnight. When the plaster is completely dried, remove the cardboard from the edges and cut the drinking straw. Paint the mold with acrylic paints if you desire. To help preserve it and make it stronger, spray the mold with a coat of clear acrylic. Feed a ribbon through the hole that you created and tie a bow.

Tips & Warnings

• Coat it with a layer of clear acrylic spray especially if you are planning to use it as an outdoor decoration as it will waterproof the mold.

• Make sure the child does not stick her hands in her mouth while the plaster is still on her.

References

• DLTK Holidays: Plaster of Paris Handprint Wallhanging
• Chest of Books: How To Mix Plaster Of Paris