Paper Mache Critters

Make a paper mache animal with fun, wacky features

Skill Level: Moderate to Difficult

Time Needed: 1 hour a day for 3 days

Age(s): 8 to 12

Appropriate For: Classroom Celebrations

Supplies Needed:

Project Rating:

DAY ONE:

Cover a flat surface with newspaper.
Mix about 1/4 cup of glue and a small amount of water in a medium-sized bowl. The mixture should be runny.
Tear the newspaper into small strips.
Blow up a round balloon.
Dip the strips of newspaper into the glue mixture. Cover the balloon entirely with wet strips. Smooth out any bumps or bubbles with your fingers. Allow the balloon to dry overnight.

DAY TWO:

Create a new batch of glue and water mixture.
Tear colored tissue paper—any color you choose—into small strips.
Use a paintbrush or sponge to paint the mixture over the tissue paper, causing it to stick to the balloon. Cover the balloon entirely with tissue paper.
Allow the balloon to dry overnight.

DAY THREE:

Decorate the balloon to look like your favorite animal! Use Jiggly eyes, construction paper, and pipe cleaners to add features like eyes, ears, and whiskers.

Time-Saving Hints:

Place the blown-up balloon—tied end down—in a small bowl. The bowl will hold the balloon steady while you work.
After dipping each strip of newspaper into the glue mixture, run it between two of your fingers to remove the excess mixture.

Teaching tips:

Discuss how animals have features that help them live in different environments. Some animals have wings that allow them to fly. Some animals have webbed feet that help them to swim. Brainstorm a list of animals with your students. Then, ask students to categorize the animals by their shared features.
Talk about the basic things animals need to live —air, water, food, and shelter. Ask students to list other things that they think are important in keeping an animal healthy.
Have students write a short story about the animal they created. Showcase students' stories with their paper mache animals around the classroom.