Papier Mâché, french for “chewed paper,” is an inexpensive, fun way for kids to create sculptures. This safe, easy-to-make paper mache recipe for kids uses just a few basic kitchen supplies and whips up in less than 2 minutes. Ripping paper provides sensory stimulation for kids as well as the cool, goopy textures of paper mache glue. We adore these paper mache crafts for kids.
No-Cook Paper Mache Glue Recipe:
- 1 cup flour
- 1 cup cold water
- 2 tablespoon salt (prevents mold)
Add 1 cup of flour to a bowl.
To help prevent mold from forming, add 1-2 tablespoons of salt.
Mix together to remove all lumps until you reach a thick, glue-like consistency. If it’s too thick like paste, add 1/4 cup water slowly. Consistency also depends on your preference. I like it to resemble pancake batter, not too runny, but not too thick. Tip: To remove the glue odor, add a dash of cinnamon. In my experience, this is the stronger method between cook and no-cook and it’s kid-approved.
A simple paper mache recipe for adults is the starch method [please use your on discretion to determine if Sta-Flo is appropriate for you]. I prefer this method for myself, but for little hands, the flour method is best and safest. Sta-Flo is stronger than no-cook method, so it takes fewer layers to complete.
No-Cook Starch Paper Mache Glue Recipe:
- 1/2 cup flour
- 1 cup Sta-Flo Liquid Starch
Mix 1/2 cup flour to 1 cup liquid starch in a bowl. Use a whisk to remove any lumps. Paper mache takes 24 hours+ to dry, so store any unused glue covered in the refrigerator to finish up your project the following day.
Sta-flo isn’t available in all countries, so another simple option is Elmer’s glue or flour cook method. Although the cook method isn’t as strong as all the above, it’s relatively easy to make. Wikihow has a great video tutorial on how to make paper mache paste using the cook, Elmer’s glue, and shaken bag colored method.
For the ultimate in paper mache sculpting, Ultimatepapermache.com is an excellent resource for homemade gesso and paper mache recipes using these alternative methods too.
Applying Paper Mache Glue:
Once your glue is ready, simply soak your ripped or cut strips of newspaper, brown paper, or tissue paper into your mixture, remove any access, and apply to your surface. For smaller, more detailed projects, apply glue mixture with a paintbrush. To create your cast use recycled bottles and jars, balloons, wire, cardboard, balls, and boxes. Once dried, the resulting material can be cut, sanded and/or painted. Before painting any product of paper mache, the glue must be fully dried, otherwise mold will form and the product will rot from the inside out. Salt helps prevent mold, but allowing each layer to dry is the most important part. Add 1-2 layers, let dry 24 hours, then add more is needed. The starchmethod is the strongest, best for adults, uses 2-3 layers, followed by the no-cook method, best for kids, uses 3-4 layers.
We’ll be exploring crafts using paper mache and discussing different types of paper, dry times, and application techniques for the kids to create sculptures in more detail. Our first kid project will be creating a dinosaur cave for small world play later this week.
I loved sculpting with paper mache as a kid. We’ll be exploring paper mache crafts over the next few weeks. What are some of your favorites?
More tactile fun for kids with our favorite sensory therapy tools and toys.
Please be advised, this craft requires adult supervision and is not age appropriate for everyone. Please use your own discretion. Amazon affiliate link below. 🙂
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Removing Sta-Flo Concentrated Liquid Starch will make the recipe perfect for kids!!
MSDS says “Keep out of reach of children. No significant environmental effects. Not a fire hazard. Product is stable.”
Sta-Flo Concentrated Liquid Starch
MSDS Reports for Hazard Statements
Hazard Statements
Caution! This product is an opaque blue liquid with a pleasant odor. Direct contact with eyes may cause irritation, with possibility of corneal injury if not removed promptly. It may be harmful if swallowed. Repeated or prolonged excessive exposure with skin can result in defatting and drying which may result in irritation and dermatitis. Keep out of reach of children. No significant environmental effects. Not a fire hazard. Product is stable.
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for i jst soak papers till they are fine n soft,dry them abit and use soapy water for applying layers, no expense
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What a terrific idea! Thanks for sharing on the Kids Co-Op, which I also host on my site. I’m pinning this one 🙂
Jennifer @ Generation iKid
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Wow, if you only knew what chemicals you are exposing to your children. Society is conditioned to believe and trust those who think certain products are safe for children to handle. Sta Flo is by far the worst ingredient for a child as well as an adult to simply tamper with during this process.
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Thank you for your comment Maria. I appreciate your feedback. I have stated on the activity, flour and water method is best and safest for kids and if you choose to use Sta flo for adults, use at your own discretion. Thank you.
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Thanks for replying. Good job.
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I agree Maria. Actually you can make your own non toxic starch mix.
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Do I ever add any glue to the kids recipe.?
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Thank you Jennifer! Thanks for hosting and pinning too! 🙂
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Thanks so much for that idea also you welcome.
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This is fantastic! I am pinning this now!
Thank you for stopping by the Thoughtful Spot Weekly Blog Hop this week. We hope to see you drop by our neck of the woods next week!
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Awesome Jill, thanks for pinning! See you next week. 🙂
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Love paper mache and sounds like I need to make some as someone wants a helmet 🙂
Thank you for sharing on Motivational Monday
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I have used the stay flo without anything else for paper mache, it works fine
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thanks Faigie for your feedback. For me, the flour thickened it up nicely. 🙂 I definitely prefer the starch over the water and flour method, much stronger. But for my son, we did the water and flour. 🙂
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