How to Make Paper Mache

April 16, 2024 by Debbie Chapman

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Learn how to make paper mache with our simple step by step photo and video tutorials! This paper mache recipe is SO EASY to make, using only 2 pantry ingredients.

Make super strong and durable paper mache, and create fun (and inexpensive!) decorations like paper mache bowls, paper mache pumpkins, or even a paper mache pinata! It’s a really fun kids craft, and a great art activity for school or summer camp.

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Use creativity and this easy paper mache recipe to create a beautiful work of art! Paper mache is a fun craft for both kids and adults.

Author: Debbie Chapman

Materials:

1 cup Flour
1.5 cups Water
Newspaper
Acrylic paint

Equipment:

Glass mixing bowl
Whisk
Bowl (a mold for the paper mache)
Plastic wrap
Paintbrush

Check Out The Video Tutorial:

Looking for more fun crafts? Here's a few of our favourites:

Paper Mache Pumpkins

How to Make a Pinata

How to Make Glue

Instructions:

Step 1: Find what you need

Gather your supplies.

Step 2: Rip strips of newspaper & cover a bowl

Rip strips of newspaper into pieces to about 1 inch wide and between 4 to 6 inches long.
Make sure you rip with the grain of the newspaper -- it'll result in more even strips.
Cover the bottom of a bowl with plastic wrap, tucking the edges of plastic inside the rim.
You can also tape the plastic wrap inside the bowl to keep it in place.

Step 3: Mix the paper mache recipe

Add flour and water to a large mixing bowl. Hot tap water works well and creates a thicker, stronger glue than cold water.
We recommend using a glass or metal bowl, since the flour mixture sticks to plastic more easily.
Stir the mixture together with a whisk until no clumps remain.

Step 4: Add a layer of paper mache to the bowl

Dip a strip of newspaper into the paper mache mixture, saturating it completely.
Slide the paper through your fingers to remove the excess paste.
Place the paper strip on the covered bowl, smoothing it down with your fingers.
Continue adding coated strips of newspaper to the bowl, overlapping them a bit and smoothing them down.
Once you've made your way around the bowl, add pieces over top at a different angle.
This will help strengthen the bowl.
Allow this layer of paper mache to dry for 24 hours. See our tip below this tutorial for storing the paper mache paste.

Step 5: Add more layers of paper mache

Add a second layer of paper mache to the bowl. Allow to dry again.
Then repeat for a third layer, again allowing it to dry.

Step 6: Trim the edge of the bowl

Once your paper mache bowl is completely dry you can remove it from its base.
The paper mache bowl should slide right off the plastic wrap, but if it doesn't, carefully remove the bowl form and then gently peel the plastic wrap off.
See Also
DIY Project at Home: How to Craft Your Own Paper Mache Sculptures
Trim the top of the bowl to be straight and even.

Step 7: Paint the paper mache bowl

Paint the inside and outside of the bowl with a primer or quality white paint.
Acrylic multi-surface paint works well -- you just might need a few coats to cover the newsprint. Dollar store acrylic paint tends to need more coats, so we recommend buying quality paint from a craft store.
Once the white paint is dry, paint the inside of the bowl a colour of your choice (we made this one yellow).
Allow to dry.
Use black paint to paint a design on the outside of the bowl.
Here we added thick lines at different angles.
Again, allow to dry.
Your paper mache bowl is complete!
You can leave your bowl as-is, or brush on a coat of Mod Podge to seal the paint and add a shiny finish.

Helpful Tips:

Make sure the paper mache is completely dry before adding another layer, or else your paper mache bowl might get moldy.
You can cover the paper mache glue and store it in the fridge for 1 – 2 days. After that, dispose of the mixture and make a new batch.

Is paper mache better with glue or flour?

We like using flour to make our paper mache mixture. It’s a classic method that works well, and it’s less expensive than using glue to make paper mache paste. Plus flour is natural and biodegradable.

Glue creates a strong paper mache recipe, but it’s also a lot more messy and sticky to work with. The clean-up with glue is also a bit more difficult.

What materials do I need for paper mache?

You only need 2 simple ingredients — flour and water — to make the paper mache paste. You’ll also need newspaper (or another type of paper) to form your paper mache object.

Other than the main ingredients, you’ll need a mixing bowl and a whisk to make the glue. And then some kind of form to make your paper mache object. We used a bowl here, but you can also use a balloon, water bottles, cardboard, etc.

How to make paper mache without newspaper?

Newspaper is the most commonly used paper for paper mache, but a lot of newspapers are only online these days. We used newsprint flyers that were delivered to our house, but if you don’t have newsprint, there are other options.

Some alternative types of paper are: paper towel, construction paper, lined school paper, tissue paper, or even blue shop towels.

How many layers for strong paper mache?

We generally recommend using 3 to 4 layers of paper mache. This will give you a strong and durable object without requiring a whole week of dry time.

The exact number of layers will depend on how thick your paper is. Thinner paper, like tissue paper, will require more layers than newspaper.

What type of paint is best for covering paper mache?

You’ll get the best coverage on the newsprint if you use a primer or even thick white wall paint. Cheap dollar store paint tends to need a lot of coats to get good coverage.

You can find primer at the craft or hardware store. You can also use a good quality multi-surface acrylic paint from the craft store. The better quality the paint, the fewer coats you’ll need to cover the newsprint.

We used leftover white wall paint to paint our bowls white. And then regular acrylic paint from the craft store to paint the colours and designs.

What types of things can I make with paper mache?

The possibilities of what you can make with paper mache are almost endless! The bowls we made are super cute, but you can also make:

Pinata
Paper mache volcano
Pumpkin
Masks
Birds or other animals
Solar system planets
Hot air balloon

And more!

Learn how to make paper mache items that will last for years to come! Making paper mache does take quite a bit of drying time, but it’s a really simple and fun process. Plus it’s easy enough for kids to make themselves!

Here’s even more fun craft ideas:

Paper Mache Pinata

How to Make a Bouncy Ball

How to Make Clay Mushrooms

Our bookLow-Mess Crafts for Kids is loaded with 72 fun and simple craft ideas for kids! The projects are fun, easy and most importantly low-mess, so the clean up is simple!