How to Make a Realistic Animal Costume

It's easier than you might think to make a realistic animal costume.

Animals costumes are popular, but can be expensive to purchase in a store. Making an animal costume at home is a cost effective option that you can complete with just a few tools, some of which you probably already have. This project uses paper mache to make an animal costume--follow a few key tips and you can make it look surprisingly realistic.

Things You'll Need

• Balloons
• Masking tape
• Glue
• Flour
• Water
• Bowl
• Newspaper
• Straight pin
• Utility knife
• Paint
• Paintbrush
• Elastic strip

Instructions

1. Blow up two balloons. One should be a ball shape at least the width of the head of the person who will wear the costume. The second should be an oval shape that is long, resembling a snout.

2. Tape the ball-shaped balloon on top of the oval balloon, making sure some of the oval balloon comes out farther than the ball balloon.

3. Mix a paper mache paste in a bowl. Mix equal parts glue, flour and water--about 1 cup of each. Stir well.

4. Dampen strips of newspaper in the mix and lay the wet strips onto the balloon construction. Make sure to follow the shape of the balloons with the strips, but only cover the top half of the construction so it can slip over a head later. Let it dry completely.

5. Mold ears onto the animal head using more newspaper strips dipped in the paper mache mix. Let them dry completely.

6. Pop the balloons with a straight pin and pull out all balloon remnants.

7. Cut out eye holes and breathing holes.

8. Paint the paper mache construction carefully to look like the head and face of the animal you are depicting. Use a picture of the animal to accurately portray facial details and overall coloring. Let the paint dry completely.

9. Tape an elastic strap under the paper mache head to act as a chin strap. Pair the animal head with clothes in the color of the animal's body to complete the costume.

Tips & Warnings

• If the costume is for a child, let him help decorate the animal hat.

• Make sure the wearer can see properly through the head, to prevent tripping.

References

• DLTK Kids: How to Paper Mache