How to Make Quick and Easy Halloween Masks

Latex or hard plastic Halloween masks can be uncomfortable to wear. If you don't like your costume's mask, you can make a simple domino type mask yourself that is much more comfortable. While the mask begins with a very simple shape, you can decorate it so that it is quite elaborate.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Poster board or light weight cardboard
• Elastic or tongue depressor
• Embellishments

1. Begin by cutting the mask shape out of poster board or cardboard. To make mine, I traced a pair of glasses for the basic position of eyes and nose and then drew a line around the shape that was about a quarter inch larger. I drew smaller eye holes inside the glasses shape.

2. Punch a hole in each side of the mask and thread one end of a piece of elastic through each hole. Adjust the elastic so it fits securely and then knot the ends. If you'd rather, you can duct tape a piece of elastic to the inside corners of the mask instead. (If you don't want to wear the mask for a long period of time, you can also glue a tongue depressor to one corner and use it to hold the mask up in front of your face.)

3. Now comes the fun part. Use poster paint, markers, feathers, torn paper, glitter, netting, etc. to decorate your Halloween mask. Some of the prettiest ones we've made have used just one thing, like feathers or torn paper. However, if you want a spooky mask, you may want to glue spiders and fake cobwebs to it, instead.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure the person wearing the Halloween mask can see out of the eye holes. You don't want anyone tripping because of poor visibility.

[vikki9]

on 9/1/2008 It's almost Halloween again! Good mask ideas - thank you.

[oneloved]

on 9/1/2008 Very creative!

[Cherst1031]

on 9/1/2008 This is a cool idea for kids or adults, and can be personalized to the costume.

[Cateeto]

on 9/1/2008 Good idea! I've heard of doing this with fabric also.