- Age Guideline: 5 Years and Up
- Time Required: 60+ minutes (Does not include drying time)
The above age and time guidelines are estimates. This project can be modified to suit other ages and may take more or less time depending on your circumstances.
Materials Needed:
- Large Balloon
- Newspaper
- Paper Mache Paste
- Masking Tape
- Cardboard
- Paint
- String or Yarn
Instructions:
Protect your work surface by covering it with newspaper, an old vinyl tablecloth, or anything else that can be easily washed down or thrown away.
rip up a newspaper into strips that are about an inch wide and 6- to 8-inches long. Set them aside while you mix up a batch of paper mache paste in a large glass or metal bowl.
Blow up a balloon so it resembles an oval. Grab a bowl that the balloon will sit on top of. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap so the paper mache doesn't stick to it. Set the balloon on top of the bowl
Dip the a newspaper strip into the glue and place it on the balloon. Continue this until you completely cover the balloon. For more help, you can find ,a href="http://familycrafts.about.com/cs/papermache/ht/PaperMache.htm">step-by-step directions here. Make sure you leave a small hole where the balloon is tied if you want to make this into a pinata. let the first layer of newspaper dry completely.
Add at least two more layers of paper mache to your balloon. Allow each layer to dry completely before putting on the next layer. When you are done, let your Easter egg dry for at least 24 hours before you do anything else to it.
If you are making a pinata, pop the balloon. Carefully remove the balloon through the hole in the pinata. Poke four holes around the hole you left. Thread a piece of string, yarn, or even fishing line through each hole and tie them together at the top. Tie a longer piece of string onto the these.
You can now decorate your Easter egg. You can simply paint it of decorate it with squares of tissue paper. Use your imagination and make it unique.
A Variation shared by Jenny - She is a nanny and has made a similar paper mache egg. She cuts a a small "X" in the side of the balloon and gently places small prizes/treats inside. When finished, apply 2-3 layers of strips and paste over the "X" and set aside to dry.
The photo here was submitted by Marcie in CA.