Easy Paper Mache Tutorial for Kids

Instructions:

Step 1: Find what you need

• Gather your supplies.

Step 2: Rip strips of newspaper & cover a bowl

• Rip strips of newspaper into pieces to about 1 inch wide and between 4 to 6 inches long.Make sure you rip with the grain of the newspaper — it’ll result in more even strips.
• Cover the bottom of a bowl with plastic wrap, tucking the edges of plastic inside the rim.You can also tape the plastic wrap inside the bowl to keep it in place.

Step 3: Mix the paper mache recipe

• Add flour and water to a large mixing bowl. Hot tap water works well and creates a thicker, stronger glue than cold water.We recommend using a glass or metal bowl, since the flour mixture sticks to plastic more easily.
• Stir the mixture together with a whisk until no clumps remain.

Step 4: Add a layer of paper mache to the bowl

• Dip a strip of newspaper into the paper mache mixture, saturating it completely.Slide the paper through your fingers to remove the excess paste.
• Place the paper strip on the covered bowl, smoothing it down with your fingers.
• Continue adding coated strips of newspaper to the bowl, overlapping them a bit and smoothing them down.
• Once you’ve made your way around the bowl, add pieces over top at a different angle.This will help strengthen the bowl.
• Allow this layer of paper mache to dry for 24 hours. See our tip below this tutorial for storing the paper mache paste.

Step 5: Add more layers of paper mache

• Add a second layer of paper mache to the bowl. Allow to dry again.Then repeat for a third layer, again allowing it to dry.

Step 6: Trim the edge of the bowl

• Once your paper mache bowl is completely dry you can remove it from its base.The paper mache bowl should slide right off the plastic wrap, but if it doesn’t, carefully remove the bowl form and then gently peel the plastic wrap off.
• Trim the top of the bowl to be straight and even.

Step 7: Paint the paper mache bowl

• Paint the inside and outside of the bowl with a primer or quality white paint.Acrylic multi-surface paint works well — you just might need a few coats to cover the newsprint. Dollar store acrylic paint tends to need more coats, so we recommend buying quality paint from a craft store.
• Once the white paint is dry, paint the inside of the bowl a colour of your choice (we made this one yellow).Allow to dry.
• Use black paint to paint a design on the outside of the bowl.Here we added thick lines at different angles.Again, allow to dry.
• Your paper mache bowl is complete!You can leave your bowl as-is, or brush on a coat of Mod Podge to seal the paint and add a shiny finish.