My kids have always loved to make things with Paper-Mache.  I think they secretly like the mess of the glue as much as they like the finished product.

We have made napkin rings, a dragon, a mannequin, bowls, desert cacti, canoes, adobe houses, and piñatas this way.  The Piñatas were our favorites.  One year we made one so thick that no one could break it, not even with a baseball bat!  I finally had to get an electric saw to cut it open and then I threw handfuls of candy into the air! I have seen furniture and toys made from Paper-Mache also, have fun and be creative.

See photos and more details on my blog about Paper-Mache!

The blog covers more advanced techniques and projects.

 

You Will Need:
2 cups of cold water
1 1/2 to 1 3/4 cups of flour
Newspaper, cut into strips that measure about 1x15 inches
Molded clay, balloon, or cardboard to use as a mold

Mix water and flour in a large bowl with wire whisk until smooth. Mixture should be the same thickness as heavy cream. Coat your mold with one layer of strips which have been dipped in water. I found that my children work best with the 'paste' when it is in a flat bowl or small flat casserole dish so they can lay the whole strip of paper down in it.  The flat bowl also reduces spills!  Next, dip the strips into the flour mixture and lay over the first layer of strips until the mold is well coated in strips. Let stand until strips are dry and hard.  If you want to make a piñata, you will have to let it dry overnight and apply another layer of strips.  You will repeat until you pronounce the piñata strong enough to withstand a couple of good whacks with a stick.  When the paste is dry, you can paint it or glue colored tissue paper to it for decoration.