Kids love making wax molds of their hands, and it’s loads of fun, even if the end result may look like a creepy Halloween decoration. The set up requires a little bit of planning, but it’s not difficult to do and once ready, the wax hands are very easy to make. Also, this doubles as a spa treatment, which means even if the mold fails, you’ll have smooth hands.
What you’ll need:
- A block of paraffin wax, about 1-4 lbs, depending on how many hands you want to make (wax can be found at most craft stores)
- An old pot, Crock Pot, or wax dipping vat
- Lotion
- Bucket of cool water
How to make wax hands:
Step 1: Make sure an adult is supervising the entire process.
Step 2: Melt the wax at about medium high temperature. Watch carefully and do not leave the wax unattended while on the stove or in the Crock Pot.
Step 3: Once melted, remove the heat and let the wax cool for a few minutes. If you have a thermometer, bring the temperature down to nearly 105 degrees.
Step 4: Apply lotion to the hand that will be dipped. You should see the white of the lotion on your hand, don’t rub it in all the way.
Step 5: Dip the hand into the cool water, then remove and shake off excess water.
Step 6: Dip the hand into the wax. For ease of removal, only dip to the base of your hand, don’t go to your wrists. The first wax dip feels hotter than subsequent dips.
Step 7: Repeat steps five and six, dipping your hand in the water and then the wax about six to eight times.
Step 8: Remove the wax hand carefully. You can gently loosen the base of the hand using your clean hand. Also, once it starts to loosen, adding water inside the wax hand will help glide your hand out.
Step 9: Once removed, you can carefully dip the base of the wax hand back into the wax to help strengthen any spots weakened or torn during the removal. Bumps or claws where the wax dripped can be gently smoothed out with your fingers.
Step 10: Dip the wax hand into the water to help harden.
Step 11: Let dry.
Can’t get enough hands-on and DIY? Join us for a week (or more) at Camp Galileo (Pre-K – 5th grade) or Galileo Summer Quest (5th – 8th grade). Ready to enroll? Find a location in your neighborhood today.
