Make Your Own Papier-Mache Kwanzaa African Mask

Be creative and celebrate Kwanzaa and kuumba, the spirit of creativity, at the same time with this easy kid's craft. Join in the spirit of Kwanzaa by giving, sharing, and reflecting on ancestors with this simple craft you can do at home with your kids. With a few household items, you too can get your whole family involved in this Kwanzaa craft.

To make this craft, you will need:

Flour

Water

Balloons

Strips of newspaper, shredded computer paper, or paper bags

Cup

Table knife or spatula

Tempera paints

Paintbrushes

Scissors

Sharp knife

First, mix equal parts flour and water into a paste. Make sure to remove all the lumps by stirring. Make a mold by blowing up a balloon and tying the end closed. Tear or cut the paper into long strips, then into shorter bits about 1 inch wide and 3 inches long. Cover a table with newspapers to prepare a work surface.

Next, set the balloon tied-end-down into a cup to keep it steady. Dip the torn/cut pieces of paper into the paste and cover each side with a thin layer. Lay the strips sticky-side down onto the balloon. Overlap the strips. Make the layers even and clean up any excess paste. Put another layer of strips until you have covered the balloon with five layers.

Let the papier-mache dry completely, overnight or longer.

To separate the papier-mache from the balloon, pop the balloon and pull out the balloon pieces. Trim up your mask's rough edges with scissors.

Now you're ready to paint a face on your mask, if you wish. Use tempera paints for your designs. Fit the mask to the shape of your head with scissors. If you want to wear the mask, hold it unpainted to your head and mark with a pencil where your eyes and mouth go. Use a sharp knife to cut eyes and mouth holes on the outside. Cut holes on each side for string ties.

You can also paint African designs or paste or draw pictures of significant African-American figures. Look online or in library books or find magazine pictures for your mask. Decorate your mask with your choice of design. You can hang your mask up for decoration or wear it to your Kwanzaa celebration.

Your homemade Kwanzaa craft will be the hit of your family celebration and your kids will enjoy the handiwork and learning about this important ethnic celebration.