painting
Cast and Paint Plaster Dinosaurs
An adult casts plaster dinosaurs in moulds, they set overnight, then children paint their own dinosaurs — or skip casting with ready-made plaster pieces.
50 minIndoor or outdoorSome mess
See the activity →3 activities
Plaster Painting Kits and Projects
Painting a solid 3D object is a different experience from painting paper: the surface grips the brush, the grooves demand control, and the finished thing becomes a toy.
Our own paint-your-own plaster kits grew out of this section, but everything here works equally well with plaster you cast yourself.
Browse by age
Number of activities suitable for each age. Many activities suit several ages, so these overlap.
Featured plaster painting activities
painting
Cast and Paint Plaster Figures
Cast (or ready-made) plaster stars, animals and shells take paint beautifully and finish as display-worthy keepsakes.
50 minIndoor or outdoorSome mess
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painting
Plaster Painting Party
Pre-cast plaster figures and a table of paint pots make a party activity where every guest goes home with a finished piece.
60 minIndoorSome mess
See the activity →Free download
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Twenty printable activity cards for ages 2–8, sorted by time and mess level. One email, no spam, unsubscribe any time.
Frequently asked questions
What paint works on plaster?+
Poster and tempera paint soak in beautifully. Acrylic is brighter and more durable but will not wash out of clothing.
Should I seal the finished figure?+
A coat of PVA thinned with water, or a spray varnish, protects the paint and gives a satisfying sheen.