How to Make a Paper Patriots Football Helmet

Paper mache helmets make game days more fun.

Football season inspires kids and adults to enjoy game day festivities. While real football helmets are heavy and expensive, paper football helmets are lightweight and inexpensive. Whether you are celebrating a Patriots game or throwing a Patriots themed birthday party, paper mache Patriot football helmets are an easy craft idea that can be completed as an individual or in groups.

Things You'll Need

• Newspaper
• Scissors
• White tissue paper
• Balloon
• Mache glue
• Plastic bowl
• Clean paintbrush
• Patriot logo print out
• Box of magic markers
• Craft glue

Instructions

1. Lay out the newspaper to form a workspace. Mix a bowl of mache glue according to the manufacturer's directions.

2. Cut strips of tissue paper (or newspaper) about 1 inch wide and 8 inches long.

3. Blow up the balloon to match the size of the head who’s wearing the helmet.

4. Brush (or dip) the strips of paper with mache glue using the paint brush.

5. Place the strips of mache glue soaked paper on the balloon making sure to cover the top, sides and back of the balloon. This is to ensure the front of the helmet leaves room for the face and face mask bars.

6. Form one complete layer of mache glue soaked paper on the balloon and allow drying.

7. Continue to add up two additional layers of mache glue soaked paper allowing each layer to dry before adding another layer.

8. Roll two pieces of newspaper up forming two 12-inch long tubes. These tubes now serve as the facemask bars.

9. Brush glue on the outside of the helmet just to the side of the face on each side of the helmet using the paintbrush.

10. Secure the ends of the face mask bars to the helmet just on either side of the face area. Add an additional layer of glue using the pain brush to secure the bars in place.

11. Add up two additional layers of mache glue soaked paper allowing each layer to dry before adding another layer to increase the strength of the helmet and face mask bars.

12. Print, draw or stencil the Patriots’ logo on two separate sheets of paper. Color the logo in using magic markers. Cut the logo out using the scissors. You now have you helmet sticker.

13. Brush logo with mache glue. Secure the Patriots’ logo on each side of the helmet. Allow the helmet to dry completely.

14. Pop the balloon when the helmet is dry.

Tips & Warnings

• Mix 2 parts white craft glue with 1 part water if mache glue is not an option.

• Each layer of mache requires at least one day of drying. Depending on how strong you want the helmet, it may take up to a week or five craft sessions to complete this project.

Resources

• Coloring Pages Books for Kids Boys: AFC Football Helmet Coloring Pages