Tsukuba International Preschool

Paper mache is a fun and easy craft activity for young children. It can be used to make many kinds of things, from bowls, to props, and decorations. At TIP, we are learning about our senses, and so this also provided a very good sensory experience, as children talked about needing to have their newspaper pieces very wet and slippery for them to stick effectively to the balloons. Here is a step-by-step guide of how we made our paper mache Jack-o-lanterns.

1.Blow up a balloon.

2. Tear newspaper pages into inch (2.5 cm) wide strips.

3. In a bowl, mix one part water to one part flour to make a paste.

4. Dip pieces of newspaper into the bowl of paste, making sure the entire strip is covered in paste, and cover the balloon with two layers. Repeat again a few days later after it has dried. Make a small opening at one end, pop the balloon and remove.

*To make painting the project easier, the last layer really should be done with white paper

5. Paint the project!