ROAD TRIP EXCAVATIONS

• Sand
• Plaster of Paris
• Measuring cups
• Water
• Mixing bowl
• Spoon
• Tape
• Wooden dowel
• Pencil sharpener
• Mini M&M's tube
• Items to excavate. I prefer to use a mix of tumbled rocks. You can use anything you like that will fit in the tube. 
• Important - Make sure eye protection is always worn while excavating. 

Pro tip: Soften the Road Trip Excavation with a little water if it is difficult for your young Excavating Adventurer to dig. 

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1. Place your tumbled rocks or other items in the tube. 
2. Dry mix one cup of sand with 1/3 cup of Plaster of Paris. Increase the recipe as needed to fill multiple Road Trip Excavation tubes at a three parts sand to one part Plaster of Paris ratio. 
3. Add 1/3 cup of water and mix until you have a pancake like consistency. 
4. Allow to dry overnight with the lid open.  
5. Use the pencil sharpener to taper the end of the dowel but do not make a sharp point. This can be a little dangerous and will dull quickly once the excavating begins if too sharp.
6. Close the lid and tape the dowel to the side of the tube and you now have a compact excavation kit that is ready to take on the road.
7. Once your Excavating Adventurer is ready to dig in, find an area that can get a little messy and easily be cleaned up. Distribute the eye protection and let the fun begin!
8. The tube even doubles as a container to store the excavated items for the remainder of the trip!

Pro tip: This is a fun and easy little excavation activity that is very inexpensive. You can even make several of these to take on the road for multiple children or stops.