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How to Make an Imprint Fossil

Imprint fossils are results of footprints and of plant or animal remains. The remains have been trapped in stone, decayed completely and then dissolved away. The imprint fossil is a permanent hollow copy of those remains and print impressions.
You and your kids can make your own imprint fossils with small plastic toys such as dinosaurs or other animals, seashells or even your child's hand print.

Things You'll Need

Clean, empty milk carton
Scissors
Petroleum jelly
Large mixing bowl
Water
Clean sand
Plaster of Paris
Spoon
Paintbrush
Objects for making imprints

Instructions

- 1
  Use scissors to cut off one side of the milk carton. This box will serve as a mold for making your fossil. Smear all of the inner surfaces of the milk carton box with petroleum jelly.
- 2
  Pour several cups of sand into a large mixing bowl. Add enough water to completely dampen the sand, and stir it well. Don't soak the sand because you'll need it to stick together and stiffly hold its shape when you press objects into it.
- 3
  Firm wet sand into the milk carton until it's about 2/3 full. Smooth the top surface of the sand with your fingers so that it's level.
- 4
  Press items that you want to create fossils of about ¼-inch deep into the sand. Pull the objects straight upward to remove them. Inspect the impressions you've made in the sand's surface. If you don't like them, you can firm the sand back into place and try again.
- 5
  Mix the Plaster of Paris according to the package instructions. Immediately pour the mixture over the imprints in the sand to cover them completely, up to about 1/2-inch deep. Smooth the surface with a spoon.
- 6
  Allow the Plaster of Paris to dry according to the instructions on the package, usually around 30 minutes.
- 7
  Strip the milk carton away. It should peel off easily. Use a dry paintbrush to remove remaining sand from your fossil.

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