How to Make a Paper Mache Lion Head

Inflate a balloon. Make it as large as you can.

Place an empty tape roll around the mouth of the balloon, covering the tied-off nozzle. Tape the roll in place. Stretch tape across the roll to cover the empty space; this will become the lion's muzzle.

Attach a second tape roll to the middle of the round portion of the balloon to make the base of the lion's head and neck.

Cut a circle of paper board measuring 3 inches in diameter. Cut this into two equal pieces.

Tape the half circles of paper board to the sides of the head, flat sides against the balloon and tilting slightly backwards; these will become ears.

Tear the newspaper into strips of about a half-inch by 2 inches.

Soak the strips of newspaper in wheat paste, one at a time, and wrap them around the balloon frame. Cover the frame entirely in newspaper strips and let it dry for four to six hours. Add another four or five layers of newspaper, and let those layers dry for 24 hours.

Give the papier mache head a coat of beige paint. Let the paint dry before proceeding.

Detail the facial features of the lion in black paint lines. Make an upside-down triangle for the tip of the nose, two upside-down curved lines for the mouth, and large black circles for the eyes. If you like, dot the cheek areas with small specks for the whisker areas.

Cut strips of dark brown tissue paper, each measuring 1 inch wide and 4 inches long.

Glue the tissue paper pieces to the head to make the mane. Attach them one at a time. Apply glue to the end of each strip and press it in place with your fingertip. Place the strips as close together as possible and cover all of the lion's head except the face and ears.