How to Make Paper Tusks

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Things You'll Need

  • Two cardboard gift wrap tubes

  • Masking tape

  • 1 cup of flour

  • 1 cup of water

  • Bowl

  • Newspaper

  • Paper towels

  • Paintbrush

  • White poster paint

  • White cardstock

  • Scissors

  • Craft glue

  • Two wooden craft sticks

  • Party hat with elastic band

  • White tissue paper

Construct simple elephant tusks from cardboard tubes.

Many different animals have tusks, including elephants, rhinos, walruses, wild pigs and a whale called a narwhal. Tusks, in most cases, are a type of teeth. Elephants have the largest tusks and use them for a variety of tasks, including digging, foraging and as weapons. Because elephant tusks consist of a precious material called ivory, these animals are often hunted and killed for this reason. You can create tusks from paper and other inexpensive materials and incorporate them into costumes and artwork.

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Elephant Tusks

Step 1

Bend two gift wrap paper tubes of the same length into thirds so they are creased at these points.

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Step 2

Wrap masking tape tightly at the bottom of each tube to create a pointed end.

Step 3

Mix one cup of flour with one cup of water in a bowl to create a paper mache mixture.

Step 4

Tear several sheets of newspaper into strips. Dip the strips into the bowl until they are coated completely.

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Step 5

Wrap strips around each cardboard tube, bending and molding them into tusk shapes as you go. Make sure the tusks are the same shape.

Step 6

Tear several paper towels into strips for the final layer of each tusk and apply in the same manner. Let dry overnight.

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Step 7

Paint each tusk with white poster paint. Let dry.

Walrus Tusks

Step 1

Trace two tusk shapes that are four inches long on white cardstock.

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Step 2

Cut the tusks from the paper with scissors.

Step 3

Glue the tusks to two wooden craft sticks for added strength. Let dry.

Rhinocerous Tusk

Step 1

Cover a party hat featuring an elastic band with a layer of craft glue thinned by water. Be sure the hat has a plain point with no embellishments.

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Step 2

Smooth strips of white tissue paper over the entire hat.

Step 3

Allow to dry. Wear tusk over your nose and mouth.

Tip

Fashion a narwhal tusk in the same way as elephant tusks, just leave out the step of bending the cardboard tubes.

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