Papier-Mâché Jack-O-Lantern

7-10 year olds | two hours

Forget rotting pumpkins. The answer is a papier-mâché jack-o-lantern. You'll have so much fun making it that you might not even want the real thing!

What You'll Need

• Round balloon
• Newspaper
• Flour-water glue
• Pan and stirrer
• Scissors
• Orange and green tempera paint
• Paint brush
• Black marker
• Glue

Instructions

1. Blow up and tie a balloon.
2. Dip scraps of newspaper into flour-water glue.
3. Cover the entire balloon with the dipped scraps. Do at least three layers, and after each layer allow it to dry overnight.
4. Make a small ball to form the stalk of the pumpkin and stick it to the top.
5. Pop the balloon and throw it away.
6. Place the jack-o-lantern on a slightly damp cloth or sponge. This will make the bottom soften slightly so that it can sit flat on a surface.
7. Paint the jack-o-lantern orange (the stalk should be green) and let it dry.
8. Cut or draw the eyes, nose and mouth.
9. Enjoy your papier-mâché jack-o-lantern!

Do not place a light inside the jack-o-lantern as it is highly flammable!

Tags: papier mache, model making