Making animal tracks is a great way to learn about nature and an interesting craft for young and old. The tracks can be labeled with information on where and when they were found on the back of the cast. If desired, the animal tracks can be painted. After completing this project, your animal tracks can be displayed in a cabinet, on a table or mounted on the wall.
Instructions
1. Find animal prints. Animal prints are easy to find in the mud near streams and other bodies of water.
2. Clear away small leaves, twigs, rocks and other debris from the animal print, taking care not to damage the area.
3. Take a strip of cardboard about 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 inches wide and form it in a circle to put around the animal print. The length of the cardboard will depend on the size of the print. Make it slightly larger than the print. Use a stapler to secure the circle. Place the circle in the wet mud so that it surrounds the animal print area.
4. Stir five parts water to two parts plaster of Paris to make a paste. The amount needed will vary by the size of the animal print. Make enough to fully cover the print with about 1 inch more around the sides.
5. Pour the plaster carefully into the area you have circled by the cardboard. Do not spread the plaster to thin or the print will break easily. Use more paste for larger casts.
6. Wait for the plaster to set about 30 minutes to one hour. Afterward, remove the thin cardboard and pick up the cast.
7. Wait for the cast to harden fully, this may take a few days. Be sure to label the animal track with information on where you saw the track or paint it, if desired.
Tags: animal print, animal tracks, information where, print Make, with information, with information where