Easy Papier-Mache Crafts for Kids

Create custom-made masks out of papier-mache.

Papier-mache crafts are suitable for both young children and older kids. It's a versatile medium used to create sturdy objects, and can be molded over an armature for sculpting activities and crafts, or plastered over a mold or template for simpler projects. The secret to successful papier-mache crafts is letting each layer dry out before adding the next. With impatient young children, try to involve them in activities to fill in the drying time, such as painting and cutting out eyes, making cardboard or streamer legs or, if making papier-mache vases, cut out some paper flowers to go into it.

Halloween Crafts

Use a balloon as a template to shape papier-mache ghosts and pumpkins for Halloween. For ghosts, use a long balloon and cover it with papier-mache halfway to three-fourths of the way along its length. When the papier-mache is dry, pop the balloon and remove, then trim the bottom of the ghost into zig zags to form a ragged edge. Cut out eyes, and pierce a hole in the top. Hang the ghost from the ceiling either indoors or out on the porch as a Halloween decoration. For the pumpkin, use a round balloon and cover it completely with papier-mache, then paint it orange and cut out or draw eyes and a mouth.

Creepy Crawlies and Sea Creatures

Make a giant spider made by covering a round balloon with papier-mache then adding aluminum foil rolled into sausage shapes for legs. Paint the body black and give it a couple of big white, painted eyes. In a similar way, make an octopus, but this time paint it green and add long crepe paper streamers for the tentacles.

Vases and Pencil Holders

Make decorative vases by covering plastic juice bottles with papier-mache then decorating with paints, beads, glitters or any other embellishments.This is a simple craft for very young children as there is no molding of the papier-mache shape. Or make an apple-shaped pencil holder by covering a balloon with papier-mache. Blow up the balloon fully, then let the air out before blowing it up again to the required size for the pencil holder. This makes a rounder shape for the apple. Cut a hole in the top, paint it red or green and add a couple of felt or paper leaves.

Masks and Shields

Mold papier-mache over bought plastic face masks to create new ones with an original design, or make giant warrior shields by laying papier-mache over cutout shield shapes. Cut the shield shape out of recycled corrugated cardboard such as an old box, then cut out eyes, nose and mouth shapes if making a giant shield that the child can hide behind. Plaster the shield with papier-mache to strengthen it, and punch a couple of holes on each side to thread cord through. Paint in garish colors for tribal shields and masks or jungle colors for camouflage.

References

• Enchanted Learning: Papier Mache Crafts
• DLTK Kids: Apple Pencil Holder
• DLTK Kids: Juice Jar Vase
• DLTK Kids: African Mask or Shield