REAL MONEY DIG KIT

Grab a handful of spare change and get ready to learn how to create a super easy real money dig kit. This excavation activity is a lot of fun and your excavating adventurer will be super excited to discover real coins they can save or spend. The real money dig kit can also be a fun activity based way to distribute your next allowance payment!

Materials:

Sand
Plaster of Paris
Water
Mixing bowl
Wooden spoon
Measuring cups
Spare change
A container in which to pour the excavation. An old Altoids tin is a really cool choice but pretty much any plastic container will work.
Excavation tools. Wooden dowels and other blunt instruments work well. Sharp tools are unsafe and not necessary as the excavations are reasonably brittle and excavate easily.
Safety goggles
Small brush

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Instructions:

Put one cup of sand in your mixing bowl.
Add one-third cup Plaster of Paris.
Use the wooden spoon to mix the sand and Plaster of Paris.
Add one-third cup of water and mix.
Keep adding small amounts of water until you reach a pancake like batter consistency.
Add the spare change to the container.
Pour a layer of the mixture into the container to cover the spare change.
Gently tap the sides of the container to remove any air bubbles. This will also allow a little mixture under the spare change.
If room permits, add another layer of spare change and cover with more mixture.
Set the real money dig kit in a safe location to dry undisturbed overnight. I like to put the excavation in front of a fan.

Now the real money dig kit is ready to be enjoyed. Find an area that is easy to clean up, distribute the safety goggles and excavation tools, and let the excavating begin.

I hope you enjoyed this super quick tutorial and enjoy making the real money dig kit. These excavations are very easy to make, inexpensive, and a lot of fun!

Pro tip: Use this activity to create some excitement around discussions or lessons regarding money, counting coins, saving, and spending.

If you love excavating as much as we do, be sure to check out our Excavating Adventures monthly subscription by clicking the link below and get an awesome new excavation delivered each month loaded with rocks, minerals, gemstones, fossils, and more!