How to Make a Reindeer Red Nose for Preschoolers

A simple and inexpensive reindeer red nose can be made using papier-mâché.

Whether it is for a preschool holiday play, a Halloween costume or just for fun, a round, DIY red nose is a creative way to add some character to a reindeer costume. Using common household items, you and your preschooler can make a papier-mâché red nose that is inexpensive and simple to create.

Things You'll Need

• Plastic table cover or large garbage bag
• Newspaper strips
• Bowl
• Fork
• Flour
• Water
• Round water balloon
• Petroleum jelly
• Two pieces of string
• Paintbrush
• Fine grit sandpaper
• Red acrylic paint

Instructions

1. Cover your work surface with a plastic table cover or large plastic garbage bag.

2. Tear the newspaper into strips approximately one-half inch wide and one inch long.

3. Blow up the water balloon to the size you want. Rub a thin layer of petroleum jelly on the surface of the balloon.

4. Pour enough water into a bowl of flour to make a thin paste; using a fork, mix thoroughly to remove any lumps. Make just enough paste to complete the project; you can always make more if you run out.

5. Dip the brush into the paste and wipe the excess paste off on the rim of the bowl. Brush both sides of a newspaper strip with a very thin layer of paste and place the paper strip on the balloon. Use your fingers or the brush and paste to smooth down any areas that are not laying flat.

6. Work your way around the balloon, applying overlapping newspaper strips in the same manner as described in the previous step until the balloon is covered. Hang the balloon to dry by its tied end.

7. Add at least four more layers of newspaper strips, letting each layer dry completely before adding the next layer. After the final layer is applied, allow the papier-mâché to dry completely before painting, as residual moisture in the papier-mâché will cause your DIY reindeer red nose to eventually rot.

8. Lightly sand the papier-mâché surface using fine grit sandpaper, if necessary, and remove all traces of dust.

9. Apply two coats of red acrylic paint with a clean paintbrush, letting each layer dry completely. Pop the balloon and remove it.

10. Cut an opening for the child’s nose in the papier-mâché using a craft knife, ensuring the opening is large enough for the child to breath through when wearing the papier-mâché nose. If you are doing this project with a preschooler, do not let the child handle the craft knife; only an adult should perform this step.

11. Poke a small hole using a craft knife or a safety pin on either side of the nose opening. Thread a piece of string through each of the holes.

12. Gently place the papier-mâché nose over the child’s nose and tie the strings in back of the child’s head.

Tips & Warnings

• Take extra care when handling the craft knife. Never allow a child to handle a craft knife.

References

• The Kids Window: How to Make Papier Mache
• Make-Stuff: Make Your Own Papier Mache
• Planet Pals: Paper Mache Is a Great Recycle Craft

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish