Cave Quest VBS Decorating: Cave Crystals
We made two different versions of Cave Crystals for VBS this year. The first used cardboard, brown kraft paper, cardboard tubes, spray paint, painter’s tape and spray foam. The second was super simple and only used empty planters, brown kraft paper and bright pool noodles. I’ll post the super simple version as well. You can also download printable instructions for the Cave Crystals. You’ll definitely want at least 2 people for this project. My mom helped and we could have used another set of hands. Once the foam sets a bit, the Cave Crystals are fine… but while you’re working, the more hands you have the easier it is!
SUPPLIES:
-Cardboard pieces for base {about 2’x3’-3’x4’}
-Cardboard tubes {wrapping paper/fabric tubes}
–Spray foam {1 can per cave crystal formation}
–Painters tape
–Brown kraft paper
–Spray paint
–Spray glitter
PROJECT COST:
The cardboard bases and cardboard tubes were from our supply closet at church. We used 2 cans of spray foam {$4}, a partial roll of painter’s tape {$5 for the whole roll did several projects}, 2 partial cans of spray paint {$7, also used on other projects}, 1 partial can of spray glitter {$7, also used on other projects} and a bit of the brown kraft paper {$40 for a humongo roll that we barely used for this project}. The spray foam was the only supply we purchased and used entirely on this project.
INSTRUCTIONS:
-Gather all supplies outdoors. The spray foam has a strong smell and the spray paint obviously needs to be sprayed outside.
-Cut cardboard bases {mine were different sizes but at least a few feet in each direction}.
-Cut cardboard tubes at an angle. You want to end up with different lengths, so cut some of the tubes at the 1/3 mark and some in half.
-Spray paint the cardboard tubes. Divide them into how many cave crystal formations you want, then spray each group a different color.
-Assemble the cardboard tubes onto the cardboard base. First, use the tallest cardboard tube in the middle. Use painter’s tape around the base of the tube to secure it in place, then use spray foam around the painter’s tape. You’ll also need someone to hold onto it for several minutes. The spray foam will be rock solid in about 12 hours, but you will need to support the tubes while you’re putting the crystal together.
-Use the next largest tubes around the center tube {angled outward}. Once each tube is where you want it to stay, use a piece of painter’s tape to attach it to the main {tallest} tube. You’ll remove this tape once the foam is set. You can use painter’s tape around the base of the tube as well, then add spray foam around the base of each tube as you go. Continue this process until you’ve added all of your tubes.
-Use brown kraft paper or paper grocery bags to make the rocks around the base of the crystals. The brown paper gets rolled into a ball shape, then secured to the base and neighboring crystals using spray foam. Once the spray foam dries, it acts like a really strong glue.
-After you have secured all of the cardboard tubes and paper rocks, use any leftover spray foam to decorate around the tops of the rocks.
-Leave cave crystal formation to dry for several hours or overnight. Once it is completely dry, spray paint the rocks and spray foam {as well as the cardboard base} with silver/gray.
Cave Crystals {for main stage}
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