EGG CARTON EXCAVATION
Get ready for a super easy excavation tutorial that not only makes a nice little batch of excavations at once, but the mold acts as an easy carrying case to get your awesome little excavations to their destination. So next time you finish up a dozen eggs, save that egg carton and get ready to make an Egg Carton Excavation.
Excavating Adventures Pro Tip: Styrofoam type egg cartons work great but so do paper fiber egg cartons. Don’t throw these carton out just because they are paper. While the plaster mixture is wet, these types of cartons hold up well and make perfect Egg Carton Excavations.
Materials:
Egg carton
Sand
Plaster of Paris
Water
Measuring cups
Mixing bowl
Wooden spoon
12 Excavation items – Anything that will fit in the egg shaped cavity will work. I love using tumbled gemstones.
Popsicle sticks – these will be the excavation tools
Safety goggles
Excavating Adventures Pro Tip: Buy a batch of fossilized shark teeth online and make a dozen little excavations to entertain a group of young Excavating Adventurers. You can also excavate fossilized shark teeth that are millions of years old in one of our Mini Digs!
Directions:
- Place one of your excavation items in each of the egg shaped cavities in the carton.
- Mix 2 cups sand with 2/3 cups Plaster of Paris.
- Add 2/3 cups of water and mix thoroughly.
- Gently pour the mixture into the egg carton making sure not to knock the excavation items from their cavity.
- Place the egg carton excavation in front of a fan for 24 hours until completely dry.
- Once the excavation are dry, remove them from the egg carton and distribute them to your Excavating Adventurers to dig in and enjoy. Instruct participants to wear safety goggles and use the popsicle stick to dig away the excavation and discover the treasures inside.
Excavating Adventures Pro Tip: Make a batch of these excavations and use them as rewards in the classroom, or as a fun and inexpensive birthday party activity. These egg carton excavations are also fun around Easter time!
Speaking of Easter, be sure to check out or Easter Excavations. Each excavation is wrapped in pretty colored foil. These excavations can be hidden for a little extra fun and your Excavating Adventure will love finding the rubies, emeralds, topaz, garnet and other gemstones hidden inside.
Whether you are a classroom teacher, homeschooler, student, or someone just wanting to have a little fun, click here to get free rocks, fossils, seashells, and more!