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How to Make a Recon Helmet

Making a recon helmet from paper mache is an inexpensive, hands-on costuming idea for your children. It is also a creative way to recycle those old newspapers you haven't thrown away yet. Because the materials used in paper mache projects are non-toxic, this is a project suitable for young children. You can make a paper mache recon helmet that looks very similar to those worn by soldiers with your children in a matter of a few afternoons.

Things You'll Need

Balloon
4 newspaper sheets
School glue
Plastic bowl
Permanent felt marker
String
Light brown, light green and dark green acrylic paint
Kitchen sponge

Instructions

Prepping
- 1
  Tear the newspaper into 1-inch wide strips. Tear the newsprint with the grain, not against it. Tearing the paper is better than cutting it with scissors, because the slightly uneven strips make the helmet more stable.
- 2
  Mix the paper mache glue in the bucket. Add 1 part of cold water to 2 parts school glue.
- 3
  Inflate the balloon. It should be slightly bigger than your head.
The Helmet
- 4
  Draw the helmet's outline on the balloon with the felt marker. Remember that the helmet sides and back are lower than the front.
- 5
  Dip the paper strips in the glue. They must be completely immersed. Gently wipe off the excess glue. Apply the paper strips to the balloon in a crisscross fashion until the helmet section is completely covered with a layer of paper mache.
- 6
  Tie the string to the balloon knot. Hang the balloon from the string from the shower curtain rod in your bathroom. Let the glue dry completely.
- 7
  Add three more layers of paper mache, one layer at a time, always letting the glue dry between layers. Pop the balloon with a pencil after the last layer has dried.
Painting the Helmet
- 8
  Paint the helmet with light brown acrylic paint. While the paint dries cut the sponge into several irregular shapes. The shapes should be about the size of your palm.
- 9
  Spread light green paint on a few of the sponge shapes. Wipe off the excess. Stamp the helmet with the sponge shapes in a few places. Let the paint dry for about 15 minutes.
- 10
  Spread dark green paint on some of the other sponge shapes. Stamp the shapes in a few places on the helmet, making sure that some of the dark shapes overlap the light green shapes.

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