Easy Kids Crafts: Paper Mache

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Make Easy Kids Crafts: Paper Maché

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Paper maché, for all your easy kids crafts,is very easy to do.

Here is what you’ll need:

Paper (newsprint is ideal)
Adhesive
Paintbrush
Plastic table covering
Paints

It is best if you prepare everything you need before starting. Firstly, tear the newspaper into strips about an inch wide by 4 inches long. This is only approximate. Tear the paper with the grain.

Papier mache recipe for adhesive:

1 - Flour and water glue:

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Boil 5 cups of water in a saucepan.
In a bowl, mix 1/4 cup of sieved flour with a cup of cold water.
Mix to a smooth consistency (a bit like making custard).
When completely free of lumps, add the mixture to the water in the saucepan.
Gently boil, stirring constantly for two or three minutes until the mixture thickens.
Allow to cool before using.

This will make a runny glue.

If you prefer a very thick glue use this recipe instead:

Thick flour and water glue:

Use 1 whole cup of flour to three cups of water.

Make using the same method as above.

When you have your glue to use, the next thing to do is to decide what to make. To start is it best to use something as a mould.

Possible Moulds For Your Easy Kids Crafts

1. Balloons

Balloons are cheap and indispensable.
You do not need a release agent needed.
When you burst the balloon it will tear itself away from your dried papier mache easily .

2. Bowls and plates

If you use bowls and plates it is necessary to have a release agent applied to it before you use it to stop the papier mache sticking to them.

Possible Release agents For Your Easy Kids Crafts

Apply your release agent very thinly. They may leave a small residue.

Vaseline
Cooking oil
Washing up liquid
Cling film (this will not leave any residue but may leave a slightly crinkled texture on the papier mache)
Wet paper (another method is to use strips of wet paper (just wetted with water and no glue) for the first layer only)

Easy Kids Crafts papier Mache Crafts Tips

How to do layered papier mache:

Paste the strips of paper on both sides with a paintbrush.
Place the strips one at a time over your mould and smooth it down to remove all the air bubbles.
Cover it with at least two to three layers at a time. Don’t put on too many layers at once as it will take too long to dry.
When it is completely dry, you can gradually build up as many layers as you require until you have the required thickness.
To add features such as rims, handles or decoration, stick pieces of cardboard onto the model with masking tape.
Now you have to cover your whole object again in more papier mache.
When completely dry, paint with two coats of emulsion paint to seal it and kill the newsprint.
You could also use gesso for a slightly tougher base.

You can then paint it using any paints you like.

How to do pulped papier mache:

In this method you will make a mixture of clay-like papier mache to sculpt with.

To make a pulp:

You have to soak some torn up newspaper in water overnight.
Now you have to drain, and then boil it in some clean water for about 30 minutes until the fibers start to break up.
Sieve the pulp and throw away the water.
Beat or whisk the pulp to break up the fibers.
Mix the adhesive into the pulp until it forms a clay-like consistency.

How to do paper mache sculpture:

You can use all kinds of throw away materials to sculpt with papier mache:

Cardboard boxes - Sides can be cut out to make flat panels.
Packaging - Polystyrene chunks can be cut, glued together or taped with masking tape.
Wire netting - this can be cut and bent into all sorts of shapes and then covered with papier mache. Watch the sharp edges!
Bamboo canes - these can be cut to length and used to hold a sculpture rigid.

Have a look around and you will be surprised just how many things you can find to use.

Painting your papier mache:

Virtually any paint can be used to paint your papier mache artwork.
The most popular paint is water based acrylic.
It is easy and clean to use, not too expensive and comes in a large variety of colors.
It is also quick drying.
Poster paints can be used but you have to be careful not to use a water based varnish on them or the colors will smudge.
You can use up old gloss or enamel paints that you have lying around.
The important thing to remember is that whatever paint you use, you must seal your work first.
Household emulsion paint is ideal.
A couple of coats should do it.

This is just an introduction. For an example of a project have a look at the bible craft ”Easy Kids Crafts, Kids Bible Crafts: Creation Story“