How to Make a Papier Mache Octopus

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Things You'll Need

  • Newspapers

  • One large, round balloon

  • ½ cup flour

  • 3 tbsp. sugar

  • Saucepan

  • Needle

  • Green craft paint

  • Paint brushes and/or foam brushes

  • Green crepe paper

  • Craft glue

  • Black marker

  • Googly eyes (optional)

How to Make a Papier Mache Octopus. Be the only kid on the block with a papier mache octopus. It's messy, but great fun to make. You can use it to decorate the tables at your next party, or hang it from the ceiling with fishing line.

Step 1

Prepare the papier mache paste by mixing ½ cup of flour and 2 cups of cold water in a large bowl. Bring 2 more cups of water to boil in a large saucepan. Add the flour mixture, stirring until it returns to a boil. Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the sugar. Allow the mixture to cool before using.

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Step 2

Tear a lot of newspapers into strips about 1- to 2-inches wide and varying lengths.

Step 3

Blow up the balloon. Dip the newspaper strips in the cooled papier mache one at a time, and wrap the strip around the balloon. Make sure the balloon has at least 2 or 3 layers of papier mache. Let it dry between each layer.

Step 4

When the balloon is completely covered, let it dry for 2 or 3 days. Pop the balloon with a needle if it hasn't already popped on its own.

Step 5

Paint the papier mache balloon green and let it dry. Paint on eyeballs or glue on googly eyes.

Step 6

Cut 8 legs from green construction paper or crepe paper and glue the legs to the base of the ball.

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