Papier mâché is a fun, easy craft that allows you to mold paper into any shape you can imagine. With Thanksgiving right around the corner, making a papier mâché turkey is a great way to get into the holiday spirit. This kid-friendly project results in a decorative turkey centerpiece that looks great on your Thanksgiving table. Follow these simple steps to sculpt and paint your very own papier mâché turkey.
Supplies You’ll Need
To make your papier mâché turkey, you’ll need
- Newspaper
- Flour
- Water
- Large balloon
- Paint (acrylic or tempera)
- Paintbrushes
- Scissors
- Bowl for paste
- Decorations (feathers, glitter, googly eyes etc.)
Step 1: Make the Paste
Start by making the paste that will be used to cover the balloon form. Mix together:
- 1 part flour
- 2 parts water
Stir until smooth without any lumps Add strips of newspaper and blend to make paper pulp The paste should be thin enough to spread easily but thick enough to stick.
Step 2: Blow Up the Balloon
Blow up a large balloon to the desired size of your turkey body. Tie off the end securely and set aside. Larger balloons around 16-20 inches work best.
Step 3: Cover the Balloon in Strips
Tear newspaper into 1 inch wide strips. Dip the strips into the paste one at a time and smooth over the balloon surface Overlap the strips slightly and cover all areas of the balloon. Apply at least 3 full layers and allow to dry completely between layers
Step 4: Shape the Head and Neck
Once the body is dry, make the head and neck pieces. Crumple newspaper into the desired shapes and cover with paste strips. Attach to the body using more paste.
Step 5: Add Legs
Make legs by rolling strips of newspaper into cylinder shapes. Bend slightly to look like drumsticks and cover with paste. Attach legs on both sides when dry.
Step 6: Paint and Decorate
Paint your papier mâché turkey with acrylic or tempera paint. Add finishing touches like googly eyes, pom poms, feathers and glitter. Use additional cardboard shapes to make wings, tail feathers, wattle if desired.
Let the paint fully dry before displaying your decorative turkey centerpiece. Have fun getting creative with colors and textures!
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Step 2: Adding Papier-Mache
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FAQ
What is the best mixture for paper mache?
- Mix flour and water until the paste is the consistency of pancake batter
- Heat the mixture to release the starch in the flour
- The paste will thicken as it cools
What is the easiest thing to make with paper mache?
Some of the best paper mache projects for beginners are making a mask or making paper mache eggs. You can also make a vase or a bowl out of paper mache. This technique is very creative yet valuable to try out on your own or with friends.