DIY Dig Kit

What is a dig kit you ask?  Well, its something that your Minecraft enthusiast might enjoy, or a budding archeologist.  I happen to have both in the form of grandsons.  This was a super simple gift to make, but it yielded high rewards.  I picked up the following supplies:

•plaster of paris

•cinnamon

•beach sand (from the sandbox)

•foil pans (2 for $1 at the dollar store)

•cooking spray

•rocks and trinkets
•kitty litter (optional)

To complete the kit, you might opt for safety goggles, hammer, chisel, magnifying glass, and a small paint brush.

I first sprayed my foil pans with a light coating of cooking spray.  I then mixed up 1 cup sand, 2 cups plaster of paris, 2 Tbs. cinnamon for coloring, and 1 cup water.  When mixed, it should be the consistency of toothpaste.  Add more water or plaster of paris as needed.

Scoop the mixture into the foil pan and spread it out a little.  Place a variety of rocks, trinkets, and pockets of kitty litter into the mixture.   

Mix up another batch of the mixture and scoop it on top, covering the rocks and trinkets.  Add more rocks and trinkets and finish with one final layer of mixture.  Sprinkle kitty litter on top.  Let it sit several hours to cure.

If you would like to make the kit complete, throw in some safety goggles, hammer, chisel, magnifying glass, and small paint brush.  It makes a mess when they start "digging,"  but to see their excitement every time they unearth something is so worth it! 

Some Tips:

•The plaster of paris begins to dry quickly, so only mix up one layer at a time.

•The warmer the water used, the quicker the mix dries.

•The cinnamon is just for coloring—the more you use, the darker the color.

•Shells would be a fun addition to the layers, making it seem like fossils.

•The dig kit can cure on its own over several hours, or placed in a warm oven (°170F) to cure. 

•One box of plaster of paris (mixed with the sand and water) made two dig kits.

Have fun digging!

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