PAPIER MACHE
CLOWN
You will need:
- Papier mache glue (see quick and easy recipe)
- Sheets of newspaper
- A balloon
- A piece of thin cardboard (about 20cm x 20cm)
- Scotch/sticky tape
- Paints
What to do:
- Blow up the balloon.
- Cut a circle with a diameter of about 20cm out of your piece of thin cardboard.
Cut a line into the circle from the edge directly to the center. Make a cone by
slipping the cardboard on one side of your cut under the cardboard on the other side of
the cut. Use tape to hold the cardboard in its cone shape.
- Tape the cone onto the knotted end of the balloon. The cone will be the clown's
hat.
- Tear about five large sheets of newspaper into strips. In a waterproof area, dip
the strips of newspaper into your papier mache glue, then lie them across the balloon.
Put strips all around the balloon, both vertically and horizontally. Continue
until your balloon has about five coats of newspaper all around it. Leave a small
hole at the base (neck) of the clown so that you can get the balloon out later.
- Put a few strips of newspaper into the glue and then scrunch them up in your hand to
form a ball. Put the ball onto the clown to make a nose. Dip strips of
newspaper into the glue and use them to tape on the nose in the same way that you would
use scotch tape.
- Repeat the technique in step 5 to put eyebrows and a mouth onto your clown. You
can also put ears on it if you wish.
- Leave the clown to dry. This will usually take at least 24 hours, depending on the
climate where you live.
- When the clown is completely dry, paint it. Pop the balloon through the hole at
the base, and gently pull it out. If you like, you can tidy up the hole at the base using
scissors.
Things to try:
- If you liked this activity, you may also enjoy making a papier
mache space helmet that you can really wear.
- Try making a pig. Use a balloon to get the shape of the body, and use pieces of
egg carton to make the nose and feet. Paint it pink!
