PAPIER MACHE SPACE HELMET

You will need:

• Papier mache glue (see quick and easy recipe)
• Sheets of newspaper
• A balloon
• Two pipe cleaners and two round beads
• Masking tape
• Paints

What to do:

1. Blow up the balloon.  Make the balloon slightly bigger than your head.
       
2. Tear about five large sheets of newspaper into strips.  In a waterproof area, dip the strips of newspaper into your papier mache glue, then lie them across the balloon.   Put strips all around the balloon, both vertically and horizontally.  Continue until your balloon has about five coats of newspaper all around it.  Leave a small hole at the knotted end of the balloon so that you can get the balloon out later.
    
3. Leave to dry completely.  This will usually take at least 24 hours, depending on the climate where you live.
    
4. Pop the balloon through the hole at the base, and gently pull it out.
    
5. Use scissors to cut off one end of the balloon shape.  Cut off the end where the balloon knot was.  This hole is where your neck will be when you wear the helmet, so make sure it is big enough.
    
6. Starting at the base of the helmet (that is, the end you just cut), cut out a section for your face to see through.  See the picture at the top of this page if you are unsure how to do this.  If necessary, strengthen the opening in the helmet using masking tape.
    
7. Paint the helmet.
    
8. Prick two small holes in the top of the helmet then thread a pipe cleaner through each one to make antennae.  Use tape to secure the ends of the pipe cleaners inside the helmet.  If necessary, tape the pipe cleaners to the outside of the helmet to stabilize them.  Twist one bead onto the end of each pipe cleaner to finish the antennae.
    
9. You can decorate the helmet with other spacey things.  Foil decorations fit in well with the space theme.  You can also draw little space ships or aliens onto the helmet.  Have fun playing with it!

Things to try:

• If you liked this activity, you may also enjoy making a papier mache clown.