How to Make a Paper Coffin
A paper or papier-mâché coffin is simple to make and can be an unusual Halloween decoration or a creative decoration for a Halloween-themed party. A pale-faced dummy---or a friend disguised as a zombie---can lie in the coffin to complete the illusion and frighten unsuspecting visitors. The items needed to make a papier-mâché coffin are easy to find and inexpensive---cardboard boxes, stacks of newspapers and a bag of flour are probably sitting on your shelves right now.
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Things You'll Need
- Refrigerator box
- Duct tape
- Box cutter
- Newspapers
- Warm water
- 5 gallon bucket
- Long stick or paint mixer
- 5 lbs. white baking flour
- Brown or black spray paint
Instructions
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Box Cutting
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1
Prepare the refrigerator box. Use duct tape to tape the flaps of the box shut and tape over any holes in the box.
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2
Lay the box on the ground.
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3
Using your box cutter, cut a line across the top panel of the box, down one side of the box and around the bottom panel. The box should open like a book, with the uncut panel acting as the spine of the book.
Papier-mâché and Paint
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4
Make papier-mâché to cover the coffin by mixing one part flour to one part water inside the 5 gallon bucket. Mix the flour and water with a long stick until the paste is the consistency of thick cream.
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5
Separate the newspaper into individual pages and rip them into 1-inch-wide strips. Each strip should be as long as each page of newspaper.
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6
Dip each strip into the papier-mâché paste, then run the strip between your middle finger and your index finger as you remove it from the bucket to remove excess paste.
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7
Lay each paper strip on the box with each strip slightly overlapping the last. Smooth out the strips with your hands as you work. Cover the entire box.
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8
Leave the box to dry in a dry, cool place. This could take a few days, depending on local humidity. You can speed up the drying process by using fans or blow dryers.
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9
Spray paint the box.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Decorate the coffin by gluing on metal hinges, old-fashioned locks or strips of metallic foil.
Only adults should use box cutters.
