Kids love to make masks out of paper bags. This simple art craft entertained my kids for over an hour! Paper bag masks are easy to make using inexpensive materials and recycled bags. The possibilities are endless for creative fun. Today my kids wanted to be birds; another day they will choose animals, monsters, or space travelers.
Save your paper bags for making art crafts. These plain paper bags were slightly smaller than a grocery store bag and fit well on young children’s heads.
Cut out shoulder holes so the top of the bag rests on the child’s head. This will keep the mask from floating and help keep the eyeholes in the proper position. If the bag has handles cut them off.
Have your child point to the center of both eyes and draw a dot on the bag.
Have your child point to the center of their mouth and draw a line there as well. Mouth holes promote healthy ventilation in the paper bag mask.
Invite your child draw their mask features and cut out the eyeholes. Assist with the cutting as needed for your child’s skill level.
Allow your child to take the lead in decorating their paper bag mask. Offer a variety of collage items such as yarn, feathers, glitter, pom poms, colored paper bits, or what ever you have in your art craft supply. Draw with markers or crayons to embellish the mask. Resist the urge to make suggestions; art crafts are about the process, not the finished product!
Paper crafts are great ways to encourage your young child’s creativity and decision-making skills. Using tools such as markers, tape, and glue help strengthen developing eye-hand coordination.
Cheer their completed creation. They are so proud of their paper bag masks!
Tips:
Paper bag masks are a simple craft for groups or classrooms. Making masks can be an inclusive Halloween alternative in your classroom.
Costume masks can be created as a family project, make a play!
For a more detailed mask, cut out magazine pictures of eyes and ears and glue the pictures on.
Bring this paper craft to your next picnic or family reunion! Set out the materials and invite the tweens to supervise the little ones.
Lunch bags can be used to make puppets, a great alternative if a child is hesitant to put a bag over their head.
Always supervise the scissors and glue.
Make sure the masked children have a safe place to play.
