How to Make Paper Mache Insects

You can replicate this insect using balloons and paper mache.

You can construct any type of insect using paper mache and balloons. Afterward, paint your insects, affix accessories to them and make wings and legs to bring your creations to life. Making paper mache insects takes a minimal amount of time and can done using supplies you may already have at home.

Things You'll Need

• Hot glue gun
• Hot glue sticks
• Mixing bowl
• Flour
• Water
• Newspaper pages
• Yarn
• Coat hanger
• Balloons (round, long and segmented)
• Paint
• Paintbrush
• Clear cling wrap
• Colored construction paper
• Craft eyes
• Glitter
• Pipe cleaner
• Feathers
• Marker

Instructions

1. Tear newspaper pages into 6- to 8-inch-long, 2-inch-wide strips.

2. Use long, skinny balloons for insect bodies and round balloons for insect heads. Blow up the balloons and tie them closed.

3. Pour some flour in a mixing bowl and slowly pour water in while mixing until the flour and water mixture has a glue-like consistency.

4. Dip strips of the newspaper into the flour and water mixture one piece at a time and apply to the balloons. Allow the paper strips to dry before adding another layer. Allow the paper strips to air dry.

5. Glue the head to the body balloon. Allow the balloons to dry completely before gluing to each other.

6. Paint the insect body and head.

7. Affix eyes to the insect or paint the body with glitter paint to give it a unique look. Use a pipe cleaner or feather for antennae. Use pipe cleaner or party favors for the mouth of the insect.

8. Cut pieces of coat hanger for the legs of the insect and affix with glue. Use the coat hanger pieces to construct the wings of the insect. Consult a picture of the insect to determine the size scale of the ratio to build the insect wings.

9. Trace on paper or clear cling wrap the design of the wings and cut the paper or wrap out. If constructing butterfly, moth or grasshopper wings, use a variation of different colored papers for the designs on the wings. If constructing insects with clear wings, the cling wrap will make the insect's wings look authentic. Hot glue the wings to the frame of the insect wings. Use coat hanger wire and hot glue to the outside frame of the insect wings to make them more rigid.

Tips & Warnings

• Use colored feathers for the bodies of moths or butterflies. You can use segmented party balloons for segmented insects. Glue yarn to inset bodies to make them look hairy.

References

• University of Kentucky Department of Entomology: Paper Mache Insects