How to Make Groundhog Suits

A groundhog suit is suitable for a variety of occasions.

A groundhog is a species of marmot that has a brown, furry body with a short, stubby tail and round ears. A groundhog costume is suitable for Halloween, Groundhog Day, or a school play featuring animals or groundhogs. Make your own groundhog costume, complete with a mask, or use face paint if masks are not permitted.

Things You'll Need

• Paper plate
• Elastic string
• Brown, pink and white paint
• Paintbrush
• Craft glue
• Brown sweatshirt and sweatpants
• ¼ yard brown faux fur
• Scissors
• Sewing machine
• Thread
• Needle
• Brown shoes
• Face paint (optional)
• Beanie hat or headband (optional)

Instructions

Mask

1. Paint a paper plate brown on both sides. Allow the paint to dry.

2. Place the paper plate on the face of the person who will wear the mask. Mark the position of the eyes and mouth. Draw circles around the eye marks and draw a sideways "D" shape, with the rounded side down, over the mouth mark. Cut out the shapes. Cut a slit above the top of the "D" to make the traditional animal mouth shape.

3. Paint a white circle around the mouth and the nose area on the mask. Paint a brown, rounded, inverted triangle over the center of the circle for a nose. Brush on white whiskers coming out from the edges of the white circle. Allow the paint to dry.

4. Punch a hole on either side of the mask. Cut a piece of elastic string, thread the ends through the holes, and secure with knots.

5. Cut two rounded 3-inch diameter circles from the fur. Glue the circles to the top of the plate for ears. Allow the glue to dry for 12 hours before wearing the mask.

Suit

1. Cut a 6-inch square from the fur. Fold the square in half, with the furry side facing the inside.

2. Sew the square together along one long side and one short side, leaving one side open. Round the seam around the corners to make a rounded shape.

3. Turn the tail right-side out. Position the open side of the tube against the seat of the sweatpants. Sew the tube to the back of the pants by hand to make the groundhog tail.

4. Put on the brown sweatsuit and shoes. Wear the mask over your face to complete your costume.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are not allowed to wear a mask with your groundhog suit, paint the face with face paint using the same design outlined in the mask instructions. Glue two circles of fur to a headband or brown beanie hat for ears.

References

• Enchanted Learning: Groundhog Mask
• Disney Family Fun: Halloween Costume Contest: Squirrel; 2008
• National Geograpnic: Groundhog