Paper Mache Masks

Making paper mache masks (also called as paper mache masks) is a quite simple and interesting activity. Your child will not only enjoy making it but also have a great fun while making it. The materials required for making paper mache masks are easily available at home so you need not have to go too far to search them. Making paper mache masks is quite messy therefore don’t forget to cover up your work area with a layer of newspaper or a plastic tablecloth or a wrap before starting the work.

Materials Required for Making Paper Mache Mask

• Round balloon
• Paper mache paste
• Newspaper strips
• Plastic wrap
• Scissors
• Acrylic paint

Procedure for Making Paper Mache Mask

Blow up the balloon to a desired size, knot it’s end and keep it aside. You can also place it in a bowl. If you place it in a bowl remember to wrap the bowl with plastic. This prevents the paper mache from sticking to the bowl. Make paper mache paste by mixing one part of flour with 5 parts water. Boil this mixture and simmer for about three minutes. Add one or two tablespoon of salt to the mixture and allow it to cool. Once cooled, pour the paste into a large plastic bowl. Take the newspaper and cut it into several strips, one inch wide and 4-6 inch long. Dip these newspaper strips into the paper mache paste and stick it on the balloon. Cover the balloon completely with the paper mache. If you have kept it in a bowl, leave the area sitting on the bowl. Let the first layer dry for at least 24 hours.

Add two more layers to the balloon. This time you can mold various facial features like nose, ears, lips etc. Once the paper mache has dried completely, pop the balloon and give desired shape to your mask. Using scissors you can cut out the shape of eyes as desired. You can cut out triangles, rounds, ovals or squares. Now using acrylic paints, you can paint and decorate the mask. You can also add feathers or even hair using yarn. You can even make a small hole at each side of the mask for attaching a rubber band to hold the mask properly on your face. Your paper mache mask is now ready to wear.

If you want to give your paper mache mask a mummy mask look, after two newspaper layers, place a white paper layer on the mask. You can also use milk jug instead of a balloon. Cut the milk jug into two parts from top to bottom. You can use either of the parts and make an interesting paper mache mask out of it. You can even make paper mache half masks also called as paper mache eye masks from paper mache. The procedure for making paper mache half masks is same as above but you won’t need to cover the whole balloon. You can take an oval shaped balloon and cover only one side of it. No need of molding any facial features.

Once the paper mache mask has dried, shape out the mask as desired using scissors. Remember that it is a half mask and therefore it should cover only the eyes. Again using scissors cut out the shape of eyes. Make small holes on both the sides of the mask and attach an elastic band so that the paper mache half mask holds properly on the face.