More Animal Crafts

Enchanted Learning Software's Papier-Mâché Octopus Craft More Kinder Crafts This cute papier-mâché octopus is a lot of fun to make, but messy. You can either put the octopus on a table or hang it from the ceiling with fishing line to make a cute ocean-theme decoration.

Supplies needed:

A round balloon Newspaper Flour and water A pan and a stirrer Green tempera paint Paint brush Green crepe paper streamers Glue A black marker Googly eyes (optional)

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.

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

Blow up and tie a round balloon for each student. 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 two or three layers surrounding the balloon. Let it dry (at least overnight) after each layer.

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

Paint the papier mache ball green. Let it dry.

Either glue on googly eyes or draw the eyes with a marker or paint. Cut eight legs from green crepe paper streamer. Glue them to the base of the ball. You can either put the octopus on a table or hang it from the ceiling with fishing line to make a cute ocean decoration.