How to Make Gladiator-Styled Cardboard Helmets

Realistic cardboard helmets bring a gladiator costume to life.

A gladiator is the fiercest warrior from ancient times, so it is no surprise that men and little boys alike want to dress in gladiator gear. True gladiator helmets are heavy and made from metal, but you can create a gladiator helmet at home using cardboard boxes. Save money on a Halloween costume by creating a helmet for an adult. Add a cool new piece to your child's dress-up bin by creating a smaller helmet. Find pictures of real gladiator helmets to use as models to mold a realistic helmet.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure
• Cardboard box
• Craft knife
• Stapler
• Silver acrylic paint
• Newspaper
• Red card stock
• Ruler

Instructions

1. Use a tape measure to find the measurement around the head. Trace a rectangular piece of cardboard that measures about 2 inches more than the measurement of the head. Wrap the piece of cardboard around the head to make sure it fits; remove it and staple the two ends together.

2. Trace a smaller rectangular piece of cardboard, big enough to arc from the front to the back of the headpiece. Staple the piece of cardboard on the inner front of the headpiece. Make a small arc with the cardboard and staple the other end to the upper inside of the back of the headpiece to create the top of the helmet.

3. Draw the two side pieces of the helmet with a pencil on the cardboard. Freehand draw the pieces by looking at a picture of a gladiator helmet. Cut the two pieces out with a craft knife and staple them to each side of the helmet toward the front, near the outer part of the eye.

4. Draw the front face plate on a piece of cardboard with a pencil. Draw a triangular point at the top, round the sides out to two points then come back towards the center to form the pointed nose piece. The point on the nose protector should hit just above the lip. Staple the face plate to the center of the headpiece in the front.

5. Paint the helmet with silver acrylic paint. Let the helmet dry completely on a piece of newspaper.

6. Fold a piece of red card stock about 2 1/2 inches from the long edge, then fold it again another 2 1/2 inches from the opposite long edge. This leaves a flat piece down the center to attach to the helmet. Create the illusion of feathers by cutting strips down each of the folded edges. Staple the crest to the arc on the top of the helmet.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have a difficult time freehand drawing the parts of the helmet, find a template or pattern to trace.

• This craft requires adult supervision for the cutting and painting.