How to Make a Papier-Maché Santa Claus

Add all of Santa's essential characteristics in papier-mache.

Papier-mache is a simple way to turn scrap paper into a three-dimensional sculpture. One craft idea is to make a Santa Claus decoration for the winter holidays. Before you start making the papier-mache paste, your Santa needs an armature, or interior structure. Use two latex balloons to form a head and the signature round belly. After the papier-mache dries, use acrylic paint to add all the details, such as the red clothing and his facial features.

Things You'll Need

• 2 round latex balloons
• Masking tape
• Newspaper
• Printer paper
• Mixing bowl
• Flour
• Skin tone acrylic paint
• Craft paintbrush
• Red, black, white, blue and gold acrylic paint
• Fine artist's paintbrush

Instructions

1. 

   The balloons create the roundness of Santa Claus.

   Blow up one latex balloon so it is approximately 4 inches wide for the head. Tie a knot at the opening to secure. Blow up the other latex balloon until it is roughly 6 inches wide for the body. Secure it by tying a knot at the opening.

2. Tape the two balloons together with their knots, using masking tape. Wrap the masking tape around their knots to form a neck. Ball up two pieces of newspapers to form the legs. Press them into cylinder shapes. Tape each cylinder at the bottom of the larger balloon approximately 3 inches apart.

3. Roll up half a sheet of newspaper to form a 6-inch cylinder and tape to secure for an arm. Roll up another half sheet of newspaper to make a 6-inch cylinder and tape up for another arm. Tape the arms onto the top sides of the larger balloon, below the neck.

4. Crumple up two half sheets of newspaper to form hands. Tape each hand to the end of the arms. Form the hands into mitten shapes, with a separate thumb and fingers together using the tape. Crumple up two sheets of newspaper to create two boots for Santa. Tape them to the bottom of each leg. Shape them into "L" shape boots with the tape.

5. 

   Create all the Santa's components in the base before adding the papier-mache.

   Crumple a half sheet of newspaper to form Santa's beard. Tape it around and under the top balloon. Crumple another half sheet of newspaper to form Santa's hair. Tape it to the top of the head balloon. Wrap a piece of printer paper into a cone shape and tape together. Press it onto the top balloon as a hat. Tape to secure.

6. Tear up approximately 30 sheets of newspaper into 2-inch-by-6-inch strips. Mix together equal parts of flour and water into a mixing bowl to make the papier-mache paste. Start with 1 cup of flour and 1 cup of water. Add more flour or water to form a porridge-like consistency.

7. Dip a strip of newspaper into the papier-mache paste to saturate. Use your index finger and thumb to remove excess paste. Lay one layer over the entire Santa Claus, while it is standing. When laying on the strips, shape a nose, belt and a ball at the end of the cap onto your Santa. Allow it to dry for 24 hours.

8. Add another layer of newspaper strips saturated in papier-mache paste. Let it dry for 24 hours and then add one more layer. Allow it to dry for 24 hours again. Using a craft paintbrush, paint Santa's face with a skin tone acrylic paint. Paint his red clothing and hat.

9. Paint the boots, mittens and belt with black acrylic paint. Paint the outline of the eyes with black acrylic paint, using a fine artist's paintbrush. Paint the whites of the eyes and then the centers blue. Add black pupils to each eye. Paint red lips and rosy cheeks. Paint all the white fur area and Santa's beard and hair. Paint the gold of the belt buckle. Allow it to dry.

Tips & Warnings

• If you do not have balloons, use a shoe box for the body and rolled up paper for the head.

• Any paper can be used to form Santa's body, and any paper can be used in the papier-mache paste.

• Store leftover papier-mache paste in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It keeps for one week.