Keepsake

All parents like to indulge in preserving the many ’firsts’ in their children’s lives. Be it the first handprint, haircut, photograph etc. Various craft projects that are simple to make can be great keepsakes for parents, children, friends, classroom volunteers and other people.

Use materials found around the house, like cardboard, paper, boxes, string, crayons, paint, glue, etc. Make a keepsake footprint of your child using Plaster of Paris. You can hang this cute decoration on the wall. All you need is Plaster of Paris, a large plastic bowl and stirrer (to mix the plaster), an aluminium pie plate or a plastic lid, a large paper clip, disposable plastic gloves and a permanent marker. This is a messy craft so wear old clothes. Take a large container to mix the plaster in and the wide container to mould the footprint in. Have an adult mix a small amount of Plaster of Paris with water ñ it should be stiff but creamy. Wear plastic gloves and use a stirrer. Pour the plaster into the flat container. Have the child quickly make a footprint in the plaster. Wash the child’s foot immediately (prolonged exposure to plaster can burn the skin). Use a straw to make a hole in the plaster, and you can take it out of the moulding container after about 20 minutes.

Don’t forget to write child’s name, date and age on the keepsake. Is this the makings of an artist?