Whether you’re working on a school assignment or enjoying a creative activity with children, papier-mâché is a craft that needs no special materials. The papier-mâché paste consists simply of flour and water, while many household objects can serve as molds and forms for your projects. It’s an excellent opportunity to reuse materials.
Certain objects can serve as foundations for the papier-mâché piece, whereas others are helpful for adding particular features to the project.
Balloons
There may be several balloons tucked away in your home from a birthday gathering or another celebration. Balloons of every size and shape, regardless of color, make excellent foundations for rounded creations like heads and masks. They also provide an ideal starting point for a piñata.
Cardboard
Before discarding leftover cardboard from a parcel or recycling your food cartons, consider using them for your project. Various kinds of cardboard are suitable—corrugated cardboard is especially useful for making certain bases, while thin cardboard, like cereal cartons, is helpful for attaching fine details.
Chicken Wire
Although chicken wire may not be a common household item, it is relatively simple to find. Because it is flexible, adaptable, and easy to join together, chicken wire works especially well as a framework for larger creations.
Newspaper
Newspaper is not only an essential part of making papier-mâché; it can also help shape features on your project. It is particularly useful for uneven or unusual forms because you can bend and mold the paper into the dimensions and shape you want. Roll it into an arm or leg, or bunch it into a sphere for a rounded section of your structure.
Shoeboxes
For craft projects, shoeboxes are useful for more than dioramas—they offer a solid foundation when building with papier-mâché. You can also decorate the box and turn it into a unique treasure chest or ornamental container for keeping special belongings or presenting as a gift.
Toilet Paper Rolls and Paper Towel Rolls
Often overlooked and regularly thrown away, cardboard toilet paper and paper towel tubes can be quite valuable in a craft space. For papier-mâché constructions, they are excellent for forming features like arms and legs.
More Materials
You don’t have to restrict yourself to the materials mentioned above. Nearly any object lying around your home can be used for papier-mâché. Take a look around, then begin crafting. Consider these additional options:
- Aluminum pie plates
- Hollowed eggs
- Glass bottles or jars
- Cardboard ice cream tubs
- Laundry detergent cartons
- Egg trays
- Frozen juice containers
- Juice cartons
- Oatmeal tubs
- Paper cups
- Plastic margarine containers
- Soft drink bottles
- Foam meat trays
- Aluminum foil