Lion Mask for Toddlers: Making No-Sew Kids Costumes with Paper Crafts

The lion "mask" for toddlers is a no-sew costume that kids can make with some help from you. The lion "mask" is safe for toddlers 18 months and up because they won't really be wearing the mask.

There are no elastics, no strings, and nothing to secure the "mask" to the child's head. Instead the "mask" will be on a small stick.

The toddler can hold the stick and place the paper crafts lion mask in front of their face to become a lion. This is safer than attaching anything around the toddler's head thatcould slip down to their neck.

Also, the toddler may not like to wear a mask, even one they made.

In addition to being safe, the lion "mask" also lends itself to teaching toddlers about the permanence of objects and self-awareness.

Materials for The Lion Mask Paper Craft for Toddlers

one small paper plate
one craft stick (like a stick from a frozen treat)
brown streamer roll
yellow streamer roll
orange streamer roll
orange construction paper
optional: eye stickers

Tools Needed for Crafting the No-Sew Lion Mask for a Toddler Costume

one glue stick
one toddler
one adult
scissors (adults only, please!)
one black crayon

Preparation for Making the Lion Mask for Toddlers

The adult needs to cut some three inch strips of the streamer paper for the lion's mane. Cut some of the brown streamer, yellow streamer, and some of the orange streamer All three colors are not essential, but are nice to have.

The mane could also be made from two or even one color of streamer paper.

For toddlers 18 months to 2 years old, the parent may also want to glue the craft stick the back of the paper plate. Leave enough of the craft stick unattached, as it becomes the handle for the toddler to use to hold up the lion mask.

Also cut out some ears for the lion. The ears can be triangles or circles, it's up to you.

Use the scissors to cut out a circle to fit onto the center of the plate, to make the lion's face.

How Toddlers Can Make the Lion Mask

Help the toddler glue the cut pieces of streamer paper onto the paper plate. The streamer pieces should flop over the sides of the plate.

When using more than one color for the mane, alternate the two or three colors. The toddler may have his or her own plan, though.

After the mane is in place, help the toddler glue the ears at the top of where the face will go.

Finally, glue the circle for the face. The circle should cover the edges of the ears and the mane.

Use the eye stickers to add eyes, or draw them on with a crayon.

Also draw a nose and mouth.

That's how the toddler can make a lion mask with paper crafts.