A Halloween mask from newspaper

Every lesson

1. 

   Lesson 1 · 0:51

   Design your mask

   Your turn: Pick your character, and draw your mask on paper as big as your face, with two eye holes.

   Watch lesson 1 ▶

   What the film says

   1. 0:00

      Hi, I'm Tek! Today you start a mask. Made from newspaper, flour, and water!

   2. 0:07

      A mask turns you into someone new. For a play, a party, or a story you act out.

   3. 0:13

      First, pick who it is. An animal, a creature, or a character you invent.

   4. 0:20

      I pick a fox. Pointy ears, a pointy nose, and white cheeks.

   5. 0:26

      Draw it as big as your face. Put two eye holes where your eyes go.

   6. 0:32

      Add shapes that stick out. Ears, horns, a beak, or a nose. Big shapes look great from far away!

   7. 0:40

      Your turn. Pick your character, and draw your mask on paper, as big as your face. Then press Next.

2. 

   Lesson 2 · 0:53

   Mix the paste

   Your turn: Mix your paste, and tear a big pile of newspaper strips.

   Watch lesson 2 ▶

   What the film says

   1. 0:00

      Paper mache is French for chewed paper. And the secret is the paste!

   2. 0:06

      Cover the table first. It gets messy! You need flour, water, a bowl, a spoon, and old newspaper.

   3. 0:15

      Here's the recipe. One cup of flour. One cup of water. And a pinch of salt, so it doesn't go moldy.

   4. 0:23

      Stir till it's smooth, like pancake batter. Too thick? Add a splash of water.

   5. 0:29

      Now tear the newspaper into strips, about as wide as your finger. Tear, don't cut. Torn edges stick better.

   6. 0:38

      Make a big pile. A mask needs more strips than you think!

   7. 0:43

      Your turn. Mix your paste, and tear a big pile of strips. Then press Next.

3. 

   Lesson 3 · 0:52

   Layers, then wait

   Your turn: Cover the front with three layers, and let it dry. Come back when it's hard.

   Watch lesson 3 ▶

   What the film says

   1. 0:00

      Time to build! Blow up a balloon about the size of your head. A grown-up can tie it.

   2. 0:07

      Sit it in a bowl, so it doesn't roll away. No balloon? Use a bowl upside down, covered in plastic wrap.

   3. 0:15

      Dip a strip in the paste. Slide it between two fingers, to wipe off the drips.

   4. 0:21

      Lay it flat on the front, and smooth it down. Then the next strip, crossing over it.

   5. 0:27

      For ears or a nose, scrunch up some newspaper, tape it on, and cover it with strips too.

   6. 0:34

      Do three layers. Then wait. It takes a day or two to dry. That's normal!

   7. 0:41

      Your turn. Cover the front with three layers, and let it dry. Come back when it's hard, and press Next.

4. 

   Lesson 4 · 0:55

   Paint it and wear it

   Your turn: Paint your mask, tie on the ribbon, and show someone who you are now.

   Watch lesson 4 ▶

   What the film says

   1. 0:00

      Is it dry? Tap it. Dry paper mache is hard, and it sounds like a little drum.

   2. 0:07

      Pop the balloon, and pull it out. Now you have a shell!

   3. 0:12

      Now a grown-up job. A grown-up trims the edge and cuts the eye holes. Leave the bottom open, so you can always breathe.

   4. 0:21

      Paint it white first, so your colors pop. Then paint your character. My fox gets orange, pink, and a black nose.

   5. 0:30

      A grown-up pokes a hole on each side. Tie on a ribbon, so it stays on.

   6. 0:36

      Now wear it! Put on a play, or a party. Maybe your character stars in a comic or a film one day!

   7. 0:43

      Your turn. Paint your mask, tie on the ribbon, and show someone who you are now. You made a paper mache mask!