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Papier mache is another of our easy kids craft ideas! It is very easy to make. Here’s a recipe. Best to make it for the kids as it uses boiling water. Papier mache can be used for all kinds of things. Making puppets with papier mache heads is always fun. Use a small balloon as a mold. You can also make boxes, dolls, bowls and even houses by making the walls and roof as separate pieces then gluing together. When your project has dried out thoroughly paint it or decorate with decoupage or add ribbons etc.

Recipe

1 cup flour
4 cups boiling water
4 cups cold water
6 tablespoons sugar

Method

Mix the flour and cold water together then add to the boiling water. Return to the boil then remove from the heat and add the sugar. Stir well and allow to cool.

This is a quick recipe using ingredients you have in the kitchen In humid environments however papier mache made from flour can become mouldy. As an alternative you can use wall paper paste (the non-porous kind)which contains a fungicide mixed with water. Use slightly less water than recommended for wallpaper. This is not recommended for children however as they may put their fingers in their mouths.

Releasing Agents

Apply releasing agents to the mold very thinly as they will leave a slight residue.

- Cooking oil
- Vaseline
- Washing up liquid

Making Your Shape

Cover the work area with newspapers or a plastic tablecloth before you start. Kids love the mess that papier mache makes! Tear pieces of newspaper into strips. For rounded shapes the narrower the strip the better the mold will be. Cover the strips with paste by dipping into the paste then remove excess paste by running your thumb and finger down the strip. Cover the mold with strips overlapping slightly. Allow the layer to dry then apply another layer. You may need several layers.

Finishing

Once the papier mache is thoroughly dry you can remove it from the mold and seal it by painting with two layers of emulsion paint. Allow this to dry then paint with the finishing paint. A good choice is a water based acrylic paint. Acrylic paints are quick drying and are fairly cheap. Poster paints can be used but you cannot use a water based varnish over the poster paints as this will smudge the colours.

Sculpting with Papier Mache

To make a papier mache to use for sculpting you can make a pulp by soaking strips of newspaper in water for a few hours. Drain out the water then boil with clean water for thirty minutes. Sieve the pulp then break up the fibers with a whisk. Mix in the papier mache adhesive above or wallpaper paste in water until it has a clay like constituency.