How to Make a Bubble Wrap Football Helmet

Bubble Wrap is a bona fide “pop” star.

Bubble wrap is a trademarked packaging material made up of air bubbles sealed between layers of plastic. Bubble wrap is most commonly known for how amusing it is to pop the air bubbles. There is even Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day, which is celebrated on Jan. 31. People have used the wrap to make everything from wedding dresses to purses to football helmets. Making a Bubble Wrap football helmet is a great way to make use of leftover packaging material — if you can resist popping it first.

Things You'll Need

• Several feet of Bubble Wrap
• Packaging tape or duct tape

Instructions

1. Wrap a length of Bubble Wrap around the wearer's head starting under the jaw and swooping it up and over the top of the head. Secure this first piece by taping the end of the sheet to the material under the jaw.

2. Wrap additional layers in the same fashion, starting under the jaw and bringing the material up around the head. The amount of Bubble Wrap depends on the size of the wearer's head and how hard it will be hit. Typically, the Bubble Wrap layers are about 2 to 3 inches thick. Secure each layer with tape.

3. Wrap a layer of Bubble Wrap starting on the wearer's forehead and bringing the material around the side and back of the head. Secure this layer where the end of the sheet meets the material on the forehead. Wrap additional layers in a similar fashion until it reaches the desired thickness, typically 2 to 3 inches.

Tips & Warnings

• This helmet is for recreational use only and is not designed be a substitute for an actual football helmet.

References

• AOLnews.com; Get Ready to Pop! It's Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day; Larry Knowles; January 31, 2011
• Octanecreative.com; The Bubble Wrap Book

Resources

• YouTube.com; The Bubble Wrap Helmet; June 2007