DIY Knight Helmet

My son has been asking to make a knight helmet for months. I wasn't exactly sure how we would do that, so I put it off until I came up with the idea of creating it out of paper mache. This is what we came up with:

Paper Mache Knight Helmet Tutorial:

1. collect  your supplies:
- flour
- water
-  measuring cup
- mixing bowl
- newspaper
- balloon
- paint
- paint brush
- brads
- scissors (and utility knife)

2. mix flour with water (ratio 1:2). For one helmet 1 cup of flour and 2 cups of water
3. cut newspaper into 1 inch strips
4. blow up balloon about the size of your child's head

5. dip paper strips in paste, pull through fingers to wipe off excess paste and place on balloon.

6. once several strips are on balloon it helps to place balloon in a (cereal sized) bowl to hold it up.
7. apply about 5 layers of strips to balloon covering top 4/5ths of balloon. It helps to place strips in different directions for each layer to strengthen helmet.
8. allow to dry overnight (or longer)

9. paint (wear safety goggles if you wish, for extra style make sure they are swim goggles)

10. pop balloon and remove balloon
11. cut out helmet shape. Use piece you cut out for mask part. Cut this part into an oval shape and use your utility knife to cut slits from the middle.
12. Use utility knife to poke holes in sides of mask and helmet where you want to attach it.
13. Poke brads through these holes to attach

Cardboard shields

*This is how Anja dresses pretty much every day when at home.

...And now you have a knight to keep your house free of dragons. :)