How do you make a papier mache baceball cap ???

[mummyloveslucy]

Hi, I know this is in the wrong section, but I wasn't sure where to post it.
I have a 6 year old daughter and a 12 year old cousen to entertain tomorrow. My daughter would like to make an easter bonnet, but my cousen is a real tom boy. She does like crafty things though. I'd love to make hers a baceball cap!
If you have any ideas as to how to do this, that would be great.
Or any other ideas for entertaining a 6 year old girly girl and a 12 year old tom boy at the same time.

Have you got a balloon? You could inflate it to the right size and then build the paper mache up round it for the head bit. Then cut a cardboard peak and papermache over it and the papermached head section.

use a balloon for the cap and stick in a piece of bent cardboard into an L for the peak, mache over it to make it stiff and trim it when its hard, hard to describle but good luck.

if you blow up a balloon to the size of child's head you can use it as the frame. Then you can just apply the newspaper strips (covered in wallpaper paste - or flour and water) to the balloon. When you have built up a few layers leave it to dry. Then pierce the balloon - i'd advise doing this gently at the knot so it deflates slowly incase it hasn't dried thoroughly in the middle (if you pop it and it isn't dry it may crumple). You can then trim round the bottom to the desired shape for a hat and i'd just add a peak using a crescent of cardboard. Then the kids can paint it.
You'll need another activity to do while the papier mache is drying. If they like crafts and its a nice day why not buy some cheap canvases and let them do jackson pollock style painting in the garden.

x post with other two

Yes, I have balloons and wall paper paste. Should I measure their heads, or try to judge it without? Also, should I papier mache the whole balloon and cut it to the shape when it's dry, or try to get the right shape with the wet paper?

thanks everyone, I know what I'm doing now. (Well, kind off) It should be fun! I like the idea of the art in the garden too. Something for my cousen to take home for her parents.

i would just try to judge it , and no dont cover the whole balloon i would do just about the size of a baseball cap plus an inch or two then trim it.

O.k, that's great. I hope it's sunny again tomorrow, they should dry quicker. I will maybe put celotape and then pop the balloons so that we don't have crumpled hats and two distraught girls.

You might be able to put paper mache around the inside of a plastic bowl instead. Line the bowl with cling film first and stick that one on the outside of the bowl. Remove the paper Mach when half dry and then mould to shape. stuff with newspaper to keep the shape and allow to dry (cousin can do this bit when they get home. Cardboard peak made separately and stapled on afterwards.