Craft-paper tied masks

Making paper masks is a great way to entertain children on a wet afternoon or at a child's party. They keep everyone amused for ages and hopefully, gives the child something to take home that is rather more meaningful than a pricey 'party bag'. (When, where and why did the giving of Party Bags start?).

Try theming the masks to fit your party - fairies, pirates, monsters!

Essentials:
Blunt ended craft scissors - or an adult on hand to cut
Assorted coloured craft paper - used to be called sugar paper
String or wool for the ties
Sticky-backed reinforcing rings*
Craft glue
Crayons, felt tip pens
 - and newspaper to protect your table!
 Extras:
   sequins, glitter, feathers,  pre-gummed coloured shapes - stars, moons etc



Have plenty of coloured scraps, sticky coloured shapes, glitter (I know - it's gets everywhere - but it's such fun stuff. Show me a girl who doesn't like glitter!), feathers, cotton wall balls and sequins for decoration. You'll be amazed at the variations of masks that emerge.

Make sure that your table is covered with plenty of newspaper or a wipe-clean plastic cloth as the process can get gloriousy messy. If you are lucky enough to have a garden and a sunny day for your party, set the table up outside if you can. Split glitter looks so much better on grass than on a deep-pile carpet!

Start with a sheet of coloured craft paper approximately 25cm by 30cm (10" x 12") for each child. You could pre-cut shapes if you want but we've always left it to the children. That does mean more than one pair of scissors though - or get some of the children decorating while they wait. Sticky backed re-inforcing rings make all the difference in terms of how long the masks survive!

The younger ones may need help cutting the eye holes in the right place - essential if you don't want a bunch of visually impaired children bashing into each other.

Have plenty of alternative colour paper for ears, cheeks, noses - warts and pimples. Pre-gummed coloured shapes are good for decorating - especially indoors as a substitute for glitter and sequins. If you've a collection of feathers from the park or the beach, they make brilliant additons as do dried leaves. You could extend the activity by sending your children out on a foraging mission before the mask-making day.

To finish the masks, punch a single hole in each side of the mask and strengthen with paper re-inforcing rings. Create a knotted loop of wool and thread through. Wool is more forgiving and less likely to tear the paper than string.

post your mask pictures - we'd love to see them!

Suppliers - try to support your local suppliers first.
Crafts Unlimited - High Street, Broadstairs
Lovelly's, Northdown Road, Broadstairs

National stores
HobbyCraft
W H Smith
Staples