Coral Reef and Seaweed

crayola supplies

Markers
Model Magic® Fusion™

household supplies

toothpicks - wooden
craft sticks
recycled boxes (optional)

Why

There are thousands of species of beautifully colored plants and animals in the world’s oceans. Create your very own bright neon species!

Steps

1. To make quick and colorful coral, twist and swirl two different neon colors of Crayola Model Magic® Fusion™ balls. With Crayola Marker barrels, roll out several wide tubes of different lengths. Stick the tubes together in a cluster so that their bases are level. With a toothpick, poke many tiny holes in your coral to create texture.
2. For seaweed, twist and swirl neon colors together. With your fingers spread wide, roll out several long, skinny shapes with thick and thin areas (instead of being all one width). Roll them flat. Use craft sticks to make veins in your seaweed. Model Magic® Fusion™ dries to the touch overnight and dries completely in 2 to 3 days.
3. Why not add some colorful fish to your underwater scene? And build a miniature setting inside a small aquarium or a recycled shoebox?

When & Where

"I recently purchased a new aquarium for my kids and let them pick out their own fish. After we set it up, they made their own imaginary underwater scene with Model Magic Fusion compound!"
- Gwenyth R., mother of ages 7 and 8.

"Our group took a field trip to the aquarium. Using this activity, the children made models of many of the fish and plants they saw. "
- Shandra S., camp counselor, ages 8 to 10.

Interesting Info

Did you know that coral are actually animals? Coral colonies grow from a single founder individual that divides repeatedly. A coral colony consists of a base that attaches coral to a reef, an upper surface that is exposed to light, and hundreds of polyps. Coral reefs are home to more than 25% of all known marine fish species. The effect of global warming on the temperature of the world's oceans are threatening coral reefs.

Safety Guidelines

Crayola Modeling Materials including Crayola Model Magic®, and Model Magic Fusion™, Crayola Air-Dry Clay, and Crayola Dough—

Keep away from open flames. Do not use to make candleholders, hot plates, trivets, or other similar objects that will be used or placed near fire and other heat sources.
Do not put in an oven, microwave, or kiln.
Do not make into vessels/containers that will hold unpackaged food.
The use of modeling material to make items that look like food is discouraged for children younger than age 5 to avoid their confusion with real food.
Unless sealed with a water-resistant glaze, do not make projects exposed to or immersed in water, such as boats or outdoor bird feeders. They would disintegrate when exposed to moisture.
Crayola Dough—contains gluten (wheat flour) as an ingredient.
Crayola Air-Dry Clay, Crayola Model Magic and Model Magic Fusion are gluten-free. However, they are produced on the same machinery as Crayola Dough which does contain gluten. Although the machines are cleaned prior to the start of each production run, there is a slight possibility that trace amounts of gluten from Crayola Dough may be present in the other modeling compound products. For information regarding specific ingredients or allergic concerns, please call our Consumer Affairs department at 1-800-272-9652 weekdays between 9 AM and 4 PM Eastern Standard Time.

Modeling Tools—Use the least dangerous point or edge sufficient to do the job. For example, craft sticks, plastic knives and forks, and cookie cutters can cut or carve modeling materials.

Wood—By its nature, wood is rough and may contain splinters or sharp points