Easy Paper Mache Recipe

Simple and Fun Craft

Paper mache can be made using a couple of different paper mache recipes. The best news is that they are all really simple to make. The basic way to create paper mache uses strips of paper which are gradually layered over a mould to produce a three dimensional piece which can then be finished and painted.

Paper Mache Recipe 1
The best paper mache recipe for young kids.

Ingredients- Flour, water, newspaper (or other scrap paper)

Make a Flour Paste by stirring approximately three parts water into one part flour until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
Dip each piece of paper (or use a stiff paint brush) in the liquid mixture and apply it to your piece one at a time to create each layer.

** TIP- You can store flour paste in the fridge in a jar so that it keeps for longer.

Paper Mache Recipe 2

Ingredients- Wallpaper paste, water, newspaper (or other scrap paper)

Mix one part wallpaper paste with three parts water. Stir well and the paste is ready to use.
Dip each piece of paper in the liquid mixture and apply it one piece at a time to form your shapes.

Paper Mache Recipe 3

Ingredients- Glue, water, newspaper (or other scrap paper)

Mix two parts white glue (PVA) with one part warm water. Stir well and the Paste is ready to use.
Dip each piece of paper in the liquid mixture and apply it one piece at a time to form your shapes.

Once your kids are adept at paper mache they can add pulped paper mache to their pieces, which is basically the same as standard paper mache with the exception that you are making lumps to form into three dimensional objects, rather than using a mould; a balloon, plate or bowl.

Traditional Papier Mache Recipe for Pulping

Ingredients- water, PVA (white) glue or flour paste, newspaper

Tear 6 or so newspapers into long strips and soak in hot water for a few hours. Knead it until it goes mushy and discard any excess water. As glue use flour paste or diluted PVA (3 parts water to 1 part glue)

Can use it like clay to build people, animals, dolls furniture.....let your imagination go wild!

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