DIY God Helmets

Viking god helmets usually feature horns or wings.

The Viking gods have been popularized by the recent Hollywood blockbuster "Thor." If you want to make a god costume for a fancy dress or Halloween party, you can do so using household items. The helmet will take a couple of days to create, so plan ahead. Younger crafters can make their own helmets, although they may need some help from an adult. Go to the library or use the Internet to find the god you like best and see what kind of helmet he wears.

Things You'll Need

• 1 cereal box (empty)
• Scissors
• Masking tape
• 1 large balloon
• 2 cups of flour
• 2 cups of water
• 1 tbsp. of salt
• Newspapers
• Plastic container
• Spoon
• Gold paint

Instructions

1. Cut the cereal box open. Cut a strip 3 inches wide that will fit around your head. Wrap the strip around your head where you want the helmet to sit. Tape it with the masking tape. Cut off any excess cardboard.

2. Blow up the balloon until it is big enough to fit inside the cardboard ring you created. Squeeze it into the cardboard ring.

3. Cut the newspaper into strips that are 2 inches wide. Mix the flour, salt and water with the spoon until they resemble pancake batter. Dip the newspaper into the flour mixture. Allow the excess to drop off and lay the newspaper over the balloon. Continue to dip the newspaper in the flour mixture and then lay the strips onto the balloon until the balloon and cardboard strip are covered. Overlap the strips to give your helmet more stability. Leave the helmet to dry overnight.

4. Look at pictures of the god you wish to represent. If you are making an Odin helmet, you will need to add horns. Thor is often depicted with wings on his helmet. Make horns or wings by scrunching up newspaper to the basic shape and covering it with masking tape.

5. Use masking tape to attach horns or wings to the helmet. Make sure they are evenly spaced on both sides of the helmet.

6. Add a second layer of papier-mache in the same manner as you did the first. If you have horns or wings on your helmet, cover those in papier-mache as well. Leave the helmet to dry overnight. Follow the same process to apply a third and fourth layer to your helmet. Leave it to dry. You will know it is dry when you press your thumb nail into the papier-mache and no indent is left.

7. Pop the balloon. Paint your helmet gold.

Tips & Warnings

• You can add feathers, faux fur, rope or other accents to decorate your helmet.

• If your balloon pops or goes flat, it doesn't matter as long as the first layer of papier-mache has dried and is able to keep the shape of the helmet.

• Supervise young vikings when using scissors.

References

• Storm the Castle: How to Make a Spartan Helmet
• Family Fun: Striking Vikings

Resources

• Zimbio: How to Make a Duct Tape Viking Hat