How to Make a Ball out of Paper Mache
For those parents with younger children who love to do arts and crafts, but still need a little parental assistance, making a paper mache ball is an excellent way to get them involved while spending quality time. As a bonus, once the paper mache ball is completed and dried, you can bring out the kid-friendly paints and create an arts and crafts project for another day where imaginations can run wild, creating everything from planets to sports items.
Instructions
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Combining two parts water to every one part flour in order to create your paper mache mixture.
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Place the newspaper strips into the bowl of paper mache paste, soaking them in the mixture one at a time. After the newspaper pieces have been covered in the paper mache, align them vertically on the balloon, leaving no space between strips.
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Consider placing a second layer of paper mache-covered newspaper strips onto the ball shape in order to add extra support and strength to the final product. Only do this after your first layer has been added and you can no longer see the plastic or latex of the balloon.
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Allow the paper mache-covered balloon to dry for at least 24 hours. Depending on your individual weather conditions surrounding the project, the thickness of paper used, and a variety of other factors, you may decide to leave the project to dry for additional hours. Regardless, do not proceed to the following step until the paper mache ball is completely dry and hardened.
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Pop the balloon within with a take a thin sewing needle. You will then be left with your completed project--a paper mache ball.
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Tips & Warnings
Cover the surface area with wax paper or other protective material, as the project can get messy.
Be sure to have an adult around when it comes time to pop the balloon with the needle.
