Things You'll Need
10 Sunday newspapers
75 sheets of white copy paper
5 cups of flour
10 cups of water
Large bowl
Whisk
3-foot diameter or larger latex balloon
Pin
Serrated knife
Blue acrylic paint
Paintbrush
Green tissue or construction paper
Paste
Puffy paint
Blue shirt
Blue leggings
Globes have been around over 2,100 years to give people a three-dimensional view of the world. Now you can even wear one by making your own globe as a costume. Dress up as the Earth for a school project, Halloween, Earth day or just because you love science. Make your globe costume out of paper mache so that it is not too heavy to carry around with you. The project takes a weekend due to drying time; then you'll be on your way to spinning round and round as a globe.
Step 1
Tear the newspaper into 1-by-12 inch strips. Tear the sheets of the copy paper into 1-by-11 1/2–inch strips.
Video of the Day
Step 2
Mix the flour and water together in the bowl with the whisk. Whisk until there are no visible lumps. The thickness of the mixture depends on personal preference, start by adding the water to the flour until it reaches your preferred consistency. A general mixture includes 1 part flour to 2 parts of water with about 1/4 teaspoon of salt added in for good measure. You can also add white glue into the mix to make the paper mache super strong.
Step 3
Cover your work area with extra newspaper to prevent the paper mache mixture from dripping on everything. Measure the person's shoulder and hip widths to determine the diameter the balloon must be when blown up. The balloon serves as the form for the paper mache globe, so it must be large enough to comfortable fit over the shoulder and hips of the person who wears the costume. Next blow up the balloon to the size needed. Tie off the balloon and place it on your work surface.
Step 4
Dip a newspaper strip into the flour, water and salt mixture, and run it between your fingers to remove excess moisture. Lay the strip flat against the balloon. Repeat this step until the entire surface of the balloon has been covered with wet newspaper strips. Let the first layer dry for 30 minutes. Put on a second layer and let it dry for another 30 minutes. Apply a third layer using the white copy paper. Let the globe dry overnight or for a minimum of 12 hours.
Step 5
Cut a hole in the top of the globe with a serrated knife sized to the premeasured diameter of the person's head who will wear the costume. Pop the balloon with a pin and remove it through hole created for the head. Cut a hole in the bottom of the globe that is large enough to slip over the shoulders or body of the person measured.
Step 6
Place the globe on the person's body. Mark the location of the arms on the outside of the globe. Slip the globe off and cut the armholes. Make any adjustments in the head and leg openings as needed.
Step 7
Paint the globe with blue acrylic paint. Let the paint dry thoroughly.
Step 8
Trace or draw the landforms for the globe. Cut them out from green and brown tissue paper or construction paper.
Step 9
Paste the landforms onto the globe after the paint is dry. Orient the land so your arms will be in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Trace over the land with puffy paint to add texture such as mountains and other topographic detail.
Step 10
Wear a blue shirt and leggings to coordinate with the globe.
Tip
Use warm water to make the paper mache. It will help the mixture blend easier.
Place your balloon inside a hula-hoop while you are applying the paper mache strips so it does not roll away.
The 3-foot diameter balloon should fit most children and adults as it expands beyond that when it is blown up. An exercise ball or an oversized beach ball can work if larger costumes are needed.
Glue foam around the inside of the neck, arm and leg opening so it does not rub your skin.
You can use this same process to create globes for other round landforms such as, other planets and moons.
Warning
Use caution when handling the knife.
Video of the Day