Masks

Materials: assorted polysterene plates, scissors,
masking tape, pva glue, glue pots and
brushes or spreaders, coloured tissue
papers, dressmaker’s elastic, stapler,
craft knife (adult use only)


1) Start with an oval shaped plate. Cut shapes from a spare plate for the forehead, nose, cheeks, lips and eyebrows. Experiment with cutting into the pre-formed shapes of the polysterene plate.

2) A nose can be created from a trianglular shape scored down its centre and then folded into shape. Secure the nose with masking tape.

3) On the reverse of the mask cut a rebate shape where the mask-wearer’s nose should fit. Cut out the eye shapes and mouth shape if the mask should be open-mouthed. A craft knife works best for this task (an adult will need to do this for children).

4) Secure all shapes (forehead, lips, eyebrows, cheeks etc) with masking tape.

5) Measure a length of dressmaker’s elastic to fit around the back of the wearer’s head and onto the mask. Staple 2 or 3 staples (with sharp edges on the outside of the mask) to secure the band. Cover both sides of the staples with 2 or 3 layers of masking tape.

6) Check mask for comfortable fit and then decorate the entire surface with coloured tissue paper glued on with pva glue.


Disclaimer: These instructions are freely available for any responsible adult to use in a craft session or classroom. Craft knives, staplers and all art materials are the sole responsibility of the craftworker / teacher. You are advised to practise any unfamiliar technique prior to using it with children. No liability can be accepted as a result of using these instructions.