Paper Skeleton Masks

For an inexpensive alternative to a store-bought skeleton mask, make your own from a paper plate.

Use a plain paper plate to make a skull mask for a Day of the Dead celebration, Halloween costume or theatrical performance. Adorn a solid white plate as desired according to the use for the mask. For example, add glow-in-the-dark paint to the front side of the mask for a glowing skeleton face, or embellish the mask by drawing crosses and attaching dried marigolds for a Day of the Dead theme.

Things You'll Need

• White paper plate
• Black marker
• Scissors
• White yarn
• Masking tape

Instructions

1. Turn a white paper plate upside down so that you are looking at the bottom of the plate.

2. Draw a 1-inch-long heart in the center of the plate using a black marker. Cut out the heart shape, but allow some of the black marker drawing to remain on the plate to define the skull's nose. Arrange the plate so that the heart cutout is upside down.

3. Use the black marker to draw a large half circle across the top end of the plate; the end points of each side of the half circle should stop approximately at the middle of the plate's edges.

4. Starting with one of the end points, draw a smaller half circle around the bottom half of the plate and end it at the other endpoint of the larger half circle. This will create the border for the skull's forehead, temples and chin.

5. Hold the plate with the larger half circle at the top in front of your face. Identify where the eye holes should be and cut a 1-inch circle in the plate for each eye.

6. Draw a single-lined smile across the mouth of the skeleton mask. Add a line of 1/2-inch squares side by side to the top of the smile, and then repeat the squares along the bottom of the smile to give the skeleton a toothy grin.

7. Cut two 12-inch lengths of white yarn. Tape one piece of yarn on the left side of the plate on the back of the mask. Repeat with the other piece of yarn on the right side of the mask.

8. Position the mask over your face so that your eyes are lined up with the skeleton's eye holes. Tie the two pieces of yarn around the back of your head to secure the mask in place.

Tips & Warnings

• When you wear the mask, be aware of the sharp edges to prevent paper cuts.

References

• FamilyFun: Mr. Rattles
• Education; Make Day of the Dead Masks; Shaheen Bilgrami