When you want to get more creative designing paper hat shapes, your best tool often is paper mache. Paper mache is a method of gluing strips of paper over a mold. The paper then hardens into the shape of the mold. One of the most common and easiest molds to use is a simple balloon. You can use it to make a variety of items, including a paper football helmet.
Blow up the balloon and tie it closed.
Tear the newspapers into strips.
Mix your glue mixture in a large bowl using 1 part white glue and 3 parts water.
Dip the strips of newspaper in the glue mixture and lay them out on the balloon. Continue covering the entire balloon, leaving a small hole at the bottom near where you have tied the balloon. Repeat this step until you have five layers of paper covering the balloon.
Let dry and harden completely, up to 24 hours.
Pop the balloon with a pin and pull it out of the hardened paper mache dome.
Draw the outline of a football helmet on the dome with the marker.
Cut out around the outline with scissors.
Paint and decorate your helmet.
Create a face mask using pipe cleaner or floral wire. Both of these are coated so they will be safer for children than any other kind of wire.
Punch holes in the mask at the points where you need to attach the face mask, either using a hole punch or scissor ends. Adults should complete this step.
Wrap the pieces of pipe cleaner or floral wire through the punched holes and around the mask, making sure to trim and tuck in the ends so there are no sharp pieces.
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