Crafts with Magazines & Newspapers

When she is finished, hang the poster somewhere she can admire it.

Materials

* Very large sheet of newsprint or other paper
* Washable markers, crayons, or colored pencils
* Stapler and newspaper (optional)
* Child's blunt-tip safety scissors

Your child will enjoy looking at the pictures and eventually will learn to recognize some of the words, too.

Materials

* Scissors
* Old magazines
* Glue
* Scrapbook
* Photos of family and friends
* Washable marker

On each page, have your child draw a picture of an animal that begins with that letter, or cut animal pictures from old magazines and glue them onto the page.

Materials

* Crayons or markers
* Small notebook or sheets of paper folded together and stapled inside a construction paper cover
* Glue
* Photos
* Child's blunt-tip safety scissors
* Old magazines

Glue the green paper onto the construction paper to fill in the shamrock.

Materials

* Pen or marker
* Construction paper
* Green tissue paper and/or crepe paper
* Magazines and catalogs (optional)
* Glue

Show your child how to dip the sponge piece into the paint, blot it on newspaper to absorb the excess paint, then lightly dab it around the edge of each leaf.

Materials

* Leaves
* Masking tape
* Construction paper or poster board
* Scissors
* Sponge
* Clothespin
* Liquid tempera paint in fall colors (orange, yellow, red, and brown)
* Shallow containers
* Newspaper
* Clear contact paper (optional)

Pressed flowers can be used to decorate a variety of paper items.

Materials

* Small flowers (pansies, violets, buttercups, daisies, and so on)
* Newspaper or other absorbent paper
* Heavy book
* Glue
* Plain note cards, note paper, or construction paper
* Clear contact paper

If you like, create a "Day and Night" poster by dividing the poster board into two sections and gluing on magazine pictures or family photos that depict day and night activities.

Materials

* Poster board
* Marker
* Old magazines
* Scissors
* Glue
* Family photos (optional)

Gather your cherubs for a little Valentine's Day fun. This heartfelt craft is a great way for you and your darlings to share love and affection. Creating these colorful hearts with your kids will be extra-special because they're homemade with love. Add some hugs and kisses for the whole family to enjoy what Valentine's Day is made of.

Materials

* Large sheets of paper (each at least 2 square feet)
* Tape or stapler
* Markers, crayons, paint, and/or paintbrushes
* Child's blunt-tip safety scissors
* Newspaper, tissue paper, or other paper scraps
* Hole punch and yarn (optional

If you like, glue plastic ants (or draw them on with a marker) onto the tablecloth.

Materials

* Red marker or tempera paint and paintbrush
* White construction paper
* Small paper plate
* Old magazines
* Scissors
* Glue
* Black plastic ants or black marker (optional)

Thanksgiving is a good time to remind our children or grandchildren to be thankful for the many good things in their lives ... family, friends, opportunities to learn and grow. A natural way to call these thoughts to mind is to begin with a question: What are you thankful for?

Materials

* Old magazines and family photos
* Child's blunt-tip safety scissors
* Glue
* Construction paper
* Clear contact paper
* Index cards
* Small box or empty coffee can
* Brown poster board and leaf-colored (green, red, yellow, orange, and brown) construction paper

Pressed flowers can be used to decorate a variety of paper items

Materials

* Small flowers (pansies, violets, buttercups, daisies, and so on)
* Newspaper or other absorbent paper
* Heavy book
* Glue
* Plain note cards, note paper, or construction paper
* Clear contact paper

Kids love pinatas and there is no reason not to make one on Valentines Day too.

Material:

Heart shaped balloon
Newspaper cut into strips
Paper mache
Candy toys to add to the pinata

Kids can make their own Easter Eggs with Paper Mache. No more cracking eggs by accident.

Material:

Small blown up balloon
Flour and water for paper mache recipe
Newspaper
Paint and glitter for decorating

Make your own memory box to store special items, a collection, or photos.

What You'll Need

Tissue paper
Magazine cut-outs
String
Glue
Box with a lid
Photos
Memorable items

Your dad will love this handmade crafts - its a Daddy's Memo Holder to hold all his little notes that he makes at work or at home next to the phone. In fact your Mommy would probably love it on Mother's Day too (just call it Mommy's Memo Holder)

Cardstock paper or Craft foam sheets 5"x7"
Glue stick or white glue
Memo pad or Post-its ©
Any of these:
Acrylic Paint
Markers or crayons
magazine cut outs, photos or stickers
Magnetic strips -optional

A homemade Valentine craft for kids to make with puzzle pieces. Share a piece of your heart with this clever homemade Valentine. A perfect use for old puzzles and a great project idea for classrooms and scout troops!

Materials
Puzzle pieces
Red spray paint
Poster board or card stock paper
Newspaper
Glue

Save your empty Altoid mint tins to make unique decorative boxes, or a mini first aide kit.

You'll Need:
empty, clean Altoids® mint tins (of course, other brands will do)
acrylic paint
paint brushes or sponges
decorative options; ribbon, buttons, craft foam shapes, pom-poms, photos,
magazine cut-outs, glitter glue, feathers...the possibilities are endless!

How to create a homemade placemat made from images of your child's favorite things. How to create a homemade placemat, that's as unique as your child!


You'll Need:
construction paper, cardstock, or poster board
one roll of contact paper or laminate sheets
glue Stick
photos, magazine images etc.
optional craft supplies; stickers, markers, crayons etc.

Decorate your birthday table with this easy & versatile mobile. Include the birthday child in the process, so they can show off their handy-work at the party!

You'll Need:
A wire hanger
Yarn, twine or colored tape
String
Picture cut outs that go with the party theme
Magazines or coloring books work very well
Construction paper or poster board
Scissors
Hole punch

A craft for kids and your cat. :) Make your own Kitty Cat House or Condo - You and you cat will have hours of fun in this home built just for him!

You Need:

* Two or More Paper Bags from the Grocery Store
* Scissors
* Glue
* Tape
* Cardboard
* Construction Paper
* Glasses and Bowls to Trace Around
* Pencil
* Pictures from Magazines
* Kitty

This is a Wallpaper Situpon Craft for Kids - I think it is to bring along with you to sit on the grass or floor. These will last and last. Easy to clean also.

Materials You need:

* Wallpaper Samples
* Scissors
* Tacky Glue
* Low Temp Glue Gun
* Clear Contact Paper
* Newspaper
* Rope (we used paper twist pieces)

children will love this hat craft for kids. It only takes 60 Seconds to make them and you can make it into different types of hats such as Pilgrim hats or Clown hates. This arts & crafts project is easiest with 2 people. Ages 8 & up.

Materials You need:

* Large piece of paper such as gift wrap or newspaper.
* Masking Tape
* Ball or Bucket

Create a puzzle to say "I love you" on Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Grandmother's Day, or Grandfather's Day.

Materials
Jigsaw puzzle pieces
spray paint or acrylic paint
(red, purple, pink)
Paint brush
Craft Glue or glue gun
Pin Backing -craft store
Newspaper

Hey kids, learn how to make your very own papier mache puppets that look just like your twin. A great arts and crafts project for children and kids who love playing around. These are called DoubleHeaders - The fun of making these papier-mâché puppets is twofold -- kids can decorate them to look like their very own twin and then cast their doubles as stars in a show.

CRAFTS MATERIALS NEEDED:

Balloon
Newspaper
Scissors
Papier-mâché
Straight pin
2-foot-long wooden dowel
Masking tape
Acrylic paints and brushes
Construction paper
Glue

Hey Kids, Do you need a theater for your finger puppets? Well, you can make your own finger puppet theater with this arts and crafts activity that is easy enough for children to make themselves. For this child's Finger Puppet Theater - You can make a tiny theater that is useful for putting on shows with finger puppets, popsicle stick puppets, or puppets on a straw. You hold the theater with one hand and use the other hand to move your puppets.

CRAFTS MATERIALS NEEDED:
# A large, empty cereal box
# Poster paint (one color) Paint brush
# Old newspapers (to protect the table)
# Colored construction paper (or scraps of fabric) for the curtains
# Glue
# Scissors
# A pencil

This arts and crafts activity for kids is to create a picture frame out of puzzle pieces and it is called the 'Waste Not Picture Frame' crafts project. Do your children have an old puzzle that is missing some pieces? How about some photographs that need framing? If you said yes, then you and the kids have a fun project ahead of you! These easy and personalized frames make wonderful gifts for relatives.

CRAFTS MATERIALS YOUR KIDS WILL NEED FOR THIS CHILDRENS' ARTS AND CRAFTS ACTIVITY:

photograph for framing
piece of cardboard a little larger than your photo
4 ice cream sticks
15 puzzle pieces (will need more or less depending on puzzle piece size)
tempera paint in colors of your choice
various buttons and doodads for decoration
Craft glue
hot glue
scissors
newspaper

CRAFTS MATERIALS YOUR KIDS WILL NEED TO MAKE THIS CHILDRENS' ARTS AND CRAFTS ACTIVITY:
Ant Hill -
Soda Pop Bottle
Piece of Cadrboard or a Paper PLate
Newspaper
Paper Mache Paste
Masking Tape
Paint
Instructions:
Make sure you cover you work surface well. I usually set down newspaper first and then wax paper on top of the newspaper. This is a very messy project!

Cut the bottom off the soda pop bottle. Place the bottle in the center of the cardboard or paper plate and tape in place. Also run strips of masking tape from the top of the bottle out towards the edge of the cardboard or paper plate to make it look like a hill.

Tear several newspaper pages into strips. You will want them 1 inch wide and about 6 - 8 inches long. Set them aside.

Use a large bowl to prepare your paper mache paste (Pick a recipe here). The paste will be sticky! I would suggest using a bowl that is easy to soak and clean (glass perhaps) or even a disposable bowl.

Dip the newspaper strips into the glue. Run the newspaper through your fingers to squeeze off extra glue and lay them over the masking tape. Completely cover the masking tape, including where it is stuck to the cardboard or paper plate. Be careful to leave a hole in the top open. Let the first layer dry. Add one or two more layers of paper mache to your ant hill. Allow each layer to dry completely before putting on the next layer.

Once your ant hill is dry, paint it brown or whatever other color you want. You can also sprinkle sand on the paint while it is dry to make it look more authentic! Add ants climbing up the side of the ant hill using pom-poms, paper, or whatever else you want!

CRAFTS MATERIALS YOUR KIDS WILL NEED TO MAKE THIS CHILRENS' ARTS AND CRAFTS ACTIVITY:
Apple Pencil Holder-

Materials:
balloon
paper mache paste
strips of newspaper
strips of white paper (3 sheets or so of old computer paper works well)
red tempra/poster paint (or red tissue paper or red napkins)
green felt or green construction paper

Instructions:
prepare your paper mache paste (read my "How to Paper Mache" section if you don't know how this is done.

Blow up the balloon ALL THE WAY and then let all the air out now blow up the balloon a little bit (until it has about a 5 inch diameter) and tie it
blowing it up all the way and letting the air out first, will make the apple more round.





Cover with 2 to 4 layers of newspaper paper mache and let it dry. About 24 hours to dry unless you leave it somewhere sunny and warm
don't cover the tied part (this will be the hole for the pencils.


Cover with 2 to 4 layers of white computer paper (it's much easier to paint over than newspaper!) and let dry

Reach through the hole with a sharp pin and pop the balloon. If you can, pull out the balloon bits


IF NECESSARY: Take a fairly damp cloth and widen the hole (for the pencils) to the desired size (you can see from the photo above how large we made our hole). The damp cloth will soften the mache so you can work with it. Be patient and let it soften!



Crush the bottom of the apple so that it stands without help. You won't be able to crush it when it's all dry, so use a damp cloth (or set the apple on a damp paper towel for about 15 minutes) to soften the mache. Then push gently to make a flat surface on the bottom.

Paint the apple red. If you covered with white computer paper, this should only take one coat. If you're using tissue paper or napkins, tear into small pieces and paper mache them onto the apple in a final layer to turn it red.
Let dry


OPTIONAL: Give the apple a coat or two of spray varnish (I always have a can of this around for projects the girls are especially proud of, to waterproof them and ensure they last longer)

Cut two simple leaf shapes from green felt or construction paper and glue to the top of the apple.

Add a couple of sharp new pencils and present to your teacher (or to a child who is just starting school).

CRAFTS MATERIALS YOUR KIDS WILL NEED TO MAKE THIS CHILDRENS' ARTS AND CRAFTS ACTIVITY:
Dolphin Paper Mache Craft -

MATERIALS:
The only "store bought" material is paint (tempra, poster or finger paint all work well... acrylic paints work great, but don't wash out of clothes!!!) We mixed white and black to make our own grey. Alternatively, you can mod podge (mache) on 1 inch squares of grey tissue paper. Or make a "funky dolphin" by maching on 1 inch squares of patterned tissue paper or napkins

paint brush

newspaper

toilet paper or paper towel

paper towel roll

toilet paper roll

scissors

tape (masking or scotch tape)

ONE OF: white glue, mod podge OR paper mache paste (1 part flour to 5 parts water... boil about 3 minutes and let cool)


STEP 1: BUILD THE FRAME:
This is part of a more complicated crafting series so if you have any suggestions to improve the instructions, please feel free to let me know! I recommend you quickly review all the instructions before starting the project.

Take the paper towel roll and cut a V shape out of one end
Discard the small piece
Pull the two ends of the cut together and tape (it will crunch up a bit, but we'll fill in the dips later.)
At this point, you can stuff the whole thing with newspaper or toilet paper so it's a bit more solid.
The open end is the head, and the narrow, taped end is the back.



Take a toilet paper roll & cut lengthwise, so you can unroll it.

Draw on a dolphin tail shape and cut it out.

Because you used a tp roll, your tail will be nice and curvy

Tape the tail to the back of the paper towel roll



Take a 1/2 sheet of newspaper and scrunch into a ball.

Insert ball into open end of the paper towel roll.

This will be the rounded head

Tape it well

Take a piece of cardboard (old cereal box) or another unrolled toilet paper roll and cut out a top fin shape (see photo).

Cut a U shape snout (mouth) for the dolphin

Cut two bottom fin shapes ("wings" as my 2 year old called them) (same as top fin shape in photo, but a bit longer and skinnier)

Tape/glue on the top fin (this step is a bit finnicky... just put big pieces of tape on either side of the fin and tape it on the body).
Shannon sent in the following suggestion for the top fin: Cut about an extra inch to the bottom of the fin. Then cut about an inch straight up in the middle. Fold in the flaps in opposite directions, then tape the flaps to the back.

Tape/glue the mouth to the bottom of the head
Tape/glue bottom fins (wings) to the bottom of the body.

Your dolphin frame is now complete. Use toilet paper and more tape to fill in any dips and round out the head.







STEP 2: MACHE:
Tear newspaper into strips about 1 to 2 inches wide. You can have some that are longer and some that are shorter.

Paper mache the entire thing

You don't want more than 4 layers of mache added or it won't dry properly. I usually tell the kids not to add more than 2 layers (when they inevitably overlap things a bit more than they should, we end up with 4).

Use shorter pieces when macheing around the fin and tail if it's too finicky (or have younger kids mache the nice easy body and save the hard parts for yourself).

Let mache dry (set outside on a nice sunny or breezy day and it will dry very quickly).

OPTIONAL: Apply a second coat of no more than 4 layers and let dry (one coat is enough, but the more coats you add the sturdier it will be ... especially if you've added mache limbs and tail). Let dry. Apply a third coat. Let dry.

The very top layer of mache can be done with white paper. This will make it easier to apply paint.



STEP 3: PAINT:
Paint with grey paint.

Decorate (add a white blow hole and black eyes or glue on wiggly eyes).

CRAFTS MATERIALS YOUR KIDS WILL NEED TO MAKE THIS CHILDRENS' ARTS AND CRAFTS ACTIVITY:
Easter Bunny Pinata -

Materials Needed:

Large, Round Balloon
Newspaper
Paper Mache Paste
Masking Tape
Cardboard
Paint
Crepe Paper or Tissue Paper
String or Yarn

Instructions:
Make sure you cover you work surface well. I usually set down newspaper first and then wax paper on top of the newspaper. This is a very messy project!
Tear several newspaper pages into strips. You will want them 1 inch wide and about 6 - 8 inches long. Set them aside.

Use a large bowl to prepare your paper mache paste (Pick a recipe here). The paste will be sticky! I would suggest using a bowl that is easy to soak and clean (glass perhaps) or even a disposable bowl.

Blow up the balloon and tie it closed. Now you are ready to start with the paper mache! (To hold your ballon while you are working on it, you might want to try to set it in a cup or bowl that is covered with plastic wrap.)

Dip the newspaper strips into the glue and spread them onto the balloon. Completely cover the balloon, leaving a small hole at the top to remove the balloon and fill the pinata. Let the first layer dry.

Add two more layers of paper mache to your balloon. Allow each layer to dry completely before putting on the next layer. Once it is dry, pop the balloon and remove it through the opening you left at the top (If you cannot get the balloon out, don't worry about it too much - No one will see it).

You can now decorate your pinata to look like a bunny. The fastest way is to paint on the details, or cut the facial features out of construction paper.

You can color and texture to your bunny by using 3 inch squares of tissue paper. Spread some glue on your pinata. Hold the 4 corners of your tissue paper square together and then stick the center of the tissue paper square onto the glue. The 4 corners hould not touch the glue, they should remain sticking up.

To hang your pinata, poke 4 small holes evenly spaced around the larger hole in the top. Thread a piece of string, yarn, or even fishing line through each hole and tie the together at the top. Tie a longer piece of string onto the these.

CRAFTS MATERIALS YOUR KIDS WILL NEED TO MAKE THIS CHILDRENS' ARTS AND CRAFTS ACTIVITY:
Make a Paper Mache Dinosaur Hat -
SUPPLIES NEEDED:
One large balloon for each hat
A lot of old newspaper and/or brown-bag paper
Flour-water glue (instructions follow)
Scissors
Hole punch (or just use the tip of a scissors to make holes)
Assorted paper, cardboard scraps, styrofoam scraps, egg cartons
Paint
String or elastic for chin straps

1. Choose the type of dinosaur hat(s) you want to make. Species with interesting heads include (click on the underlined names to see a picture of that dinosaur): Styracosaurus, Triceratops, Dilophosaurus, Lambeosaurus, and T. rex. For more dinosaur pictures, click here.

2. Make a simple, thin glue from flour and water (boiling gives it a nice consistency). A good recipe is: Mix 1 cup of flour into 1 cup of water until the mixture is thin and runny. Stir into 4 cups of boiling water. Simmer for about 3 minutes, then cool.

3. Have the students tear a lot of strips of newspaper and/or brown bag paper. Strips should be about 1 inch wide; the length doesn't really matter.

4. Blow up a balloon for each child. Each hat is molded over a large balloon.

5. Dip each strips of paper in the flour glue and put on the balloon. Put the balloon sideways because most dinosaurs had long heads. Apply the papier-mâché strips to cover about half of each balloon . About 3 layers of paper are necessary for a hat thick enough to decorate later. You can do all the layers at one time, or wait between layers. Let dry for a few days.

6. Pop the balloon when the hat's dry and remove. Trim the hat, depending on the dinosaur species chosen. Using glue or staples, add horns, frills, crests, beaks, teeth, and more, made of paper, cardboard, styrofoam, egg cartons, etc. Let dry.

7. When the hats are dry, punch holes for chin straps and paint the eyes, nostrils, beaks, skin color, etc. Let paint dry. .

8. Add string or elastic to use as a chin strap. As a costume addition, the students could drape themselves in paper that matches their mask or wear matching clothing.

Paper Mache Alligator - MATERIALS:
The only "store bought" material is green paint (tempra, poster or finger paint all work well... acrylic paints work great, but don't wash out of clothes!!!) If you don't have green paint, green tissue paper or napkins will work too. My alligator took about 2 oz (100 ml) of green paint.

paint brush

OPTIONAL: white paint and red paint (the craft works fine without these)!

newspaper

ONE OF: egg carton (styrofoam) OR cardboard (empty cereal boxes work well!)

ONE OF: white tissue paper, white kleenex, white paper towel OR white toilet paper

scissors

tape (masking or scotch tape)

ONE OF: white glue, mod podge OR paper mache paste (1 part flour to 5 parts water... boil about 3 minutes and let cool)



STEP 1: BUILD THE FRAME:
Like I said, this is the first of a more complicated crafting series so if you have any suggestions to improve the instructions, please feel free to let me know! I recommend you quickly review all the instructions before starting the project.


Take one piece of newspaper. Cut it in half along the crease.

Take one 1/2 and roll it into a long, loose sausage

Take the other 1/2 and roll it into a long cone.


Fold the sausage in half (this will be the alligator's jaws ), but make the top half a bit longer (about 4 to 6 inches longer) than the bottom half.

Roll the longer piece to make the snout. Tape snout well!



Take a good look at your cone shape. There should be a V shape at the open end. Insert the jaws so the V side is on the top of the alligator. Tape the jaws and cone together well (top and bottom)
Now it should look like this

or here is the view from above

Alrighty! We're doing well...

Now press the alligator's back so it is flat (just below the jaws)

Fold the part just below the flattened back to the left and then fold in half again to the right (Z-shaped). Pinch/crease.
Let go so you get a zig zag tail if it didn't zig zag enough, pinch/crease it harder!

Now the eyes... Make two newspaper balls (about 1 inch balls) and tape them really well/tightly so they don't unscrunch. Then tape them to the top of the alligator's jaws.
And last the legs (your alligator may be a bit wobbly up to this point... don't worry!). Make two more newspaper sausages long enough to stick out at least an inch on either side of the alligator. Roll nice and tightly this time so he has sturdy legs. Tape well to the bottom of the alligator.
I should have put them a bit farther apart than I did, I think.

You're now done your frame (that's the toughest part, but it's amazing what you can do with newspaper, isn't it!?!)




STEP 2: MAKE HIM SOLID:
Take your white tissue paper (toilet paper, kleenex or paper towel will also work... we used toilet paper *grin*). The white paper (whichever kind you chose) will make him more solid and will make it easier to paint him (less paint required than if you were painting over newspaper).

Suggestion from a viewer:
"You could paper mache it with green crepe paper and just fill in the details with paint, and maybe it would make it harder." Thanks Robert!

Coat your alligator with mod podge, paper mache paste or white glue dilluted 1/2 and 1/2 with water (we choose the white glue/water solution and painted it on with paint brushes).



Lay 2 layers of toilet paper/tissue paper ALL OVER your alligator.
The tissue will soak onto the alligator in a minute or two. Use your paint brush and some more glue/water solution to get the toilet paper wetter when necessary and into all the crevices. Don't forget to do the inside of the mouth!. Use scissors to clip off exess as necessary.

Let dry (likely overnight). At various stages, you'll be letting him dry (now and while painting. I always propped his jaws open with a lightly crumpled piece of newspaper whenever he was drying so his jaws didn't stick shut.

STEP 3: PAINT HIM
Take your green paint and paint your alligator (except his eyeballs). If you have red paint, leave the inside of his mouth unpainted. If you don't have red paint, paint the inside of his mouth green.

If you don't have paint at all, you could use green tissue paper or napkins and the same paste/process as in STEP 2.

Let dry.

Turn him over and paint the bottom (his belly) if you want to. You can paint it a lighter green or a creamy colour if you want... BE CREATIVE (you said you wanted to be! *grin*)

Let dry.

If you have white paint and/or red paint, paint the inside of the mouth red and the eyeballs white (the eyeballs are pretty white without the paint, so it isn't the end of the world to skip painting them)Tasha liked painting the mouth!

Let dry.



Take some markers (or other colours of paint) and draw on some detail: black eyeballs on the eyes, nostrils on the snout and darker green splotches on the back and top of the jaw. I also drew a line down the center from his jaws to the tip of his tail.
Take a styrofoam egg carton and find some flat, white parts (you can substitute cardboard with white paper glued onto it!) Cut out teeth shapes...
...and glue them onto your aligator's jaws.
Guess what? You're done!

(You can cover with a few coats of clear varnish if you want a shiny alligator you can leave outside in the garden!)

CRAFTS MATERIALS YOUR KIDS WILL NEED TO MAKE THIS CHILDRENS' ARTS AND CRAFTS ACTIVITY:
Paper Mache Baskets -


Fill these bright baskets with eggs
and other Easter goodies. What You Need:
Balloons
Liquid starch
Old newspapers
Old cake or pie tin
String
Paper or plastic cup
Colored tissue paper
Can of flat white spray paint
Jar of gloss medium and varnish
Paintbrush




Step 1. Instructions:
1. Tear newspapers into 1-inch-wide strips that are 2 to 3 inches long. Blow up the balloon and tie the end with an overhand knot.





Step 2. 2. Pour starch into the pie tin. Cover the balloon with newspaper strips that have been dipped into the starch. After the balloon is covered with this layer, add a second layer. Overlap the strips and completely cover the balloon, except for the knotted end. Tie a string above the knot of the balloon. Hang the balloon in a cool, dry area to dry overnight. Add more strips, if necessary, and let these strips dry.





Step 3. 3. Snip the knotted end from the balloon, let the air escape, and remove the balloon. Let the paper ball dry for a few more hours.

4. Cut 1 inch off the top of the plastic cup to use for the base. Cover the base with paper strips. Fasten the wide end of the base to the wide end of the ball with more strips. Cover the hole where you removed the balloon with strips. Let the ball dry.





Step 5. 5. Draw a zigzag line around the ball's middle to mark the top of the basket, and a pair of parallel lines over the top (the narrow end) to mark the handle. Cut out the enclosed areas to form the basket. Spray-paint the basket white. When completely dry, apply tissue paper.

TIP: Paint small areas of the basket with the gloss medium and varnish. Lay cut strips of tissue paper over the medium. Paint the medium over the top of the tissue paper. Cover all sides of the basket with the tissue paper. Let dry.

CRAFTS MATERIALS YOUR KIDS NEED TO MAKE THIS CHILDRENS' ARTS AND CRAFTS ACTIVITY:
Paper Mache Dinosaurs Hat -
SUPPLIES NEEDED:
One large balloon for each hat
A lot of old newspaper and/or brown-bag paper
Flour-water glue (instructions follow)
Scissors
Hole punch (or just use the tip of a scissors to make holes)
Assorted paper, cardboard scraps, styrofoam scraps, egg cartons
Paint
String or elastic for chin straps

1. Choose the type of dinosaur hat(s) you want to make. Species with interesting heads include (click on the underlined names to see a picture of that dinosaur): Styracosaurus, Triceratops, Dilophosaurus, Lambeosaurus, and T. rex. For more dinosaur pictures, click here.

2. Make a simple, thin glue from flour and water (boiling gives it a nice consistency). A good recipe is: Mix 1 cup of flour into 1 cup of water until the mixture is thin and runny. Stir into 4 cups of boiling water. Simmer for about 3 minutes, then cool.

3. Have the students tear a lot of strips of newspaper and/or brown bag paper. Strips should be about 1 inch wide; the length doesn't really matter.

4. Blow up a balloon for each child. Each hat is molded over a large balloon.

5. Dip each strips of paper in the flour glue and put on the balloon. Put the balloon sideways because most dinosaurs had long heads. Apply the papier-mâché strips to cover about half of each balloon . About 3 layers of paper are necessary for a hat thick enough to decorate later. You can do all the layers at one time, or wait between layers. Let dry for a few days.

6. Pop the balloon when the hat's dry and remove. Trim the hat, depending on the dinosaur species chosen. Using glue or staples, add horns, frills, crests, beaks, teeth, and more, made of paper, cardboard, styrofoam, egg cartons, etc. Let dry.

7. When the hats are dry, punch holes for chin straps and paint the eyes, nostrils, beaks, skin color, etc. Let paint dry. .

8. Add string or elastic to use as a chin strap. As a costume addition, the students could drape themselves in paper that matches their mask or wear matching clothing.

CRAFTS MATERIALS YOUR KIDS WILL NEED TO MAKE THIS CHILDRENS' ARTS AND CRAFTS ACTIVITY:
Paper Mache Masks -
Materials Needed:

Round Balloon
Newspaper
Paper Mache Paste
Plastic Wrap
Paint

More Paper Mache
Books about Making Masks
More Halloween


Instructions:
Make sure you cover you work surface well. I usually set down newspaper first and then wax paper or plastic wrap on top of the newspaper. This is a very messy project!
Decide what size and shape of mask or head you want and choose the appropriate sized balloon. Blow up the balloon and tie it closed. Find a bowl or cup your balloon can sit in while you work on it. Completely cover the cup or bowl with plastic wrap so the paper mache does not stick to it. Also cover the table or work surface under the cup with the plastic wrap. Set your balloon in the cup or bowl and set it aside.

Tear several newspaper pages into strips. You will want them 1 inch wide and about 6 - 8 inches long. Set them aside.

Use a large bowl to prepare your paper mache paste (Pick a recipe here). The paste will be sticky! I would suggest using a bowl that is easy to soak and clean (glass perhaps) or even a disposable bowl. Now you are ready to start with the paper mache!

Dip the newspaper strips into the glue and spread them onto the balloon. Completely cover the balloon, except for the area where it is sitting in the cup. Set aside and let this first layer dry.

Once the first layer is completely dry, use various supplies to make the facial features on your ballooen if desired. You can make a nose, ears, thick eye brows, lips, etc. Use cardboard, masking tape, foil, or other items shown on this supply list. Use masking tape to hold everything in place.

Add atleast two more layers of paper mache to your balloon. Allow each layer to dry completely before putting on the next layer. Once it is dry, pop the balloon and remove it through the opening left at the bottom (If you cannot get the balloon out, don't worry about it too much - No one will see it).

You can now paint and decorate your mask or face as desired. You can add hair using yarn, thin scraps of material, or anything else you desire.

To make a more realistic shaped face, make as above except use a double layer of tin foil instead of a balloon. Use your face as a mold. Have someone help you gently press the tin foil to your face to get a nice face mold. Wad up newspaper and put it inside the curved section of the foil mold and lay it on your work surface. While applying the first layer of newspaper and paste, make sure not to press on your mold too hard or it will lose it shapes!