Kids of all ages love to make things that they can keep. Paper mache offers plenty of opportunity to get creative… and a bit messy!
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Fun fact!
The name 'paper mache' comes from the French phrase 'papier-mâché' meaning ‘chewed paper’!Equipment needed
- Flour and water (equal parts) or watered down PVA glue
- Old newspaper
- A bowl
- A spoon or whisk
- Objects for making the model, such as balloons or plastic bottles
- Cardboard for adding detail
- Scissors (to be used with adult supervision)
- Paint
- Table cloth
- Aprons
About the activity
Cover the table and protect the kids’ clothes – paper mache can get messy!
Mix water and flour in equal parts to create a glue, adding a spoonful of salt as a preservative. Alternatively, you can use watered down PVA glue.
Tear the newspaper into strips and dip it in the glue until it’s completely covered/soaked. Then let the kids get creative!
Here are a couple of fun ideas for them to try out:
A fish
Blow up a balloon, then cut some cardboard into fin shapes. Tape the fins to the balloon to make your fish. Cover with paper mache and leave to dry thoroughly before painting the fish with some bright colours and a face!
An aeroplane
Use a clean, empty plastic bottle and cut out some cardboard to make wings. Tape the wings on and cover the aeroplane with paper mache. Leave to dry before painting. Try adding patterns or flags and even some people sitting in the windows!
Make sure that the kids cover their models with three or four layers of paper mache – the more they add, the stronger the models will be!
