We often use this in building scenery, but it’s also very helpful in building models, so when you’ve used it to build scenery, grab a couple scraps that are being thrown away.  It can be carved into all sorts of shapes with just your finger nail and a little sand paper or emery board. A dremel sometimes comes in handy too. 

Last time I used foam to make a model piece, I carved an old fashioned footed tub.  I added feet made from beads after I carved the basic tub shape.  I've used foam for model pieces of rocks, sandbags, stone walls, tree stumps, odd molding pieces, and a fountain, among many other things.

It doesn’t like to hold paint, so you may need to give it a couple coats of gesso, which will take a long time to dry, so this is not a last minute item.  Note: EVERYTHING that takes time to dry takes extra time to dry when applied to foam.  Blow drying foam with the heat on may cause it to melt.  If you use hot glue with foam, it will melt a bit and probably release some interesting fumes in the process.  I still hot glue it from time to time. 

If you are working with foam in any way that melts or shreds, I highly recommend wearing a respirator.  Foam fumes are very unhealthy for you to breathe.

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