This scary papier-mâché Halloween ghost is a lot of fun to make, but messy.

You can either put the finished ghost on a table or hang it from the ceiling using fishing line to make a scary Halloween decoration.

Supplies Needed:
  • A long balloon
  • A bowl that the end of the balloon fits in (this holds the balloon while you work)
  • Newspaper
  • Flour and water
  • A pan and a stirrer
  • Scissors
  • White tempera paint
  • Paint brush
  • A black marker

Instructions

1.

Papier-Mâché Glue: Make a simple, thin glue from flour and water. Mix 1/2 cup of flour into 1/2 cup of water until the mixture is thin and runny. Stir into 2 cups of boiling water (the heating gives the glue a nice consistency, but is not necessary). Simmer for about 3 minutes, then cool.

The ingredients for the papier-mâché glue.
2.

Tear a lot of newspaper into strips. Strips should be about 1 inch wide; the length doesn’t really matter.

Newspaper strips
3.

Blow up and tie a long balloon for each student. Place the long balloon in a container (like a bowl) so that it’s stable.

A balloon in a container
4.

Work on scraps of newspaper. Dip a strip of paper in the flour glue, wipe off the excess, and wrap the strip around the balloon. Cover the entire top of the balloon.

Have at least three layers surrounding the balloon. Let it dry (at least overnight) after each layer.

Covering the balloon with newspaper strips.
5.

Let the balloon dry completely (it may take a few days). Pop the balloon and separates it from the outer papier-mâché skin. Throw the torn balloon away.

The newspaper shape
6.

Trim the base of the ghost to form smooth scallops.

Cutting the newspaper
7.

Cut two holes in the ghost (these will be its eyes). Paint the ghost white. Let it dry.

You can either put the ghost on a table or hang it from the ceiling from fishing line to make a scary Halloween decoration.

The finished ghost craft.