Suggest a new activity

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Report a bug

Optional, 1 image up to 5 MB.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
DoInFreeTime
Report an error in this activity

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Paper Mache

Paper Mache

Min number of participants 1
Age 4+ yrs.
Safety support by adult Not required
Min duration 1 h
Cost None (Free)
Environment Indoor / Outdoor

Dip newspaper strips in paste, layer them over a balloon or cardboard form, and sculpt masks, bowls, or animals — a joyfully messy craft that turns simple materials into 3D art.

The Essentials

Steps

  • Tear paper strips by hand rather than cutting them with scissors, since torn edges are feathered and blend smoothly into each layer, while cut edges create visible ridges on the finished surface.
  • Mix the paste to a consistency slightly thinner than pancake batter, since paste that's too thick clumps on the paper and dries into lumpy, uneven patches.
  • Dip each strip fully in the paste, then run it between two fingers to remove excess before applying it, since leftover pooled paste causes soggy spots that take much longer to dry and can develop mold.
  • Apply strips in crisscrossing directions across at least three to four layers, since layering in the same direction repeatedly leaves the structure weak and prone to tearing once dry.

Tips

  • Let each layer dry completely before adding the next, since sealing a wet layer under a new one traps moisture inside and can cause mold or a collapse in the shape.
  • Work in a well-ventilated space and dry your project somewhere with airflow, since paper mache holds a lot of moisture and can take a full day or more to dry through in humid conditions.
  • Build your armature (the base shape) with something sturdy like balloons, cardboard, or wire before applying any paper mache, since the paste and paper alone won't hold a complex shape until it's fully dry.
  • Sand the dried, hardened surface lightly before painting, since this smooths out any remaining texture from the strips and helps paint go on evenly.

Safety Tips

  • Keep young children away from wet paper mache paste if it contains flour or other allergens, and always supervise use of scissors when tearing isn't practical for the project.
Activities

Similar activities (see all)

Report an error in this activity

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Music Production

Music Production

Create beats, arrange tracks, and mix sounds using a DAW or free software — music production turns a laptop into a studio, combining technical skill with creative freedom to make original music from scratch.

Report an error in this activity

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Balloon Tower Building

Balloon Tower Building

Teams inflate balloons and stack them into the tallest freestanding tower they can using only tape — a bouncy, colorful twist on the classic engineering challenge.

Report an error in this activity

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Letter to Future Self Writing

Letter to Future Self Writing

Grab paper and a pen, and write a letter to yourself to open years from now. Share your summer memories, dreams, and questions — it's a quiet, thoughtful activity that captures who you are right now.