Mask-making is a traditional craft practised in most countries, and it remains popular today. Children can make creative designs and they might even be inspired to host their own masquerade party.
PLASTER CAST MASKS
This method was originally used to make theatrical masks for actors.
You should not use this with children with allergies or skin conditions such as eczema.
You will need:
* Petroleum jelly * Plaster cast bandages (from educational catalogues/craft shops) * Bowl of warm water * Scissors * Acrylic paint and brushes * Aprons * Newspaper
* Elastic
What to do
: 1 Close supervision is advisable for this activity, so set up a mask-making studio with a playworker on hand to help. Cover the area with newspaper - this is a messy activity. Invite the children to visit the studio in pairs.
One should be a model and the other the mask-maker. The roles can then be swapped.
2 Both children should wear aprons. The model should sit down on a chair and should brush their hair away from their face. The mask-maker should smear the model's face in a layer of petroleum jelly, which should be spread evenly across the skin to prevent the plaster from sticking. The sensitive eye area should be avoided, although the bridge of the nose and eyebrows should be covered.
3 Cut the plaster bandage into 15cm-long strips. Dip one strip into warm water. Hold the wet strip from the top with one hand. With the thumb and forefinger of the opposite hand, wipe the length of the strip from top to bottom, squeezing out excess water.
4 Avoiding the hairline, place the strip from the top of the forehead to the bottom of the chin, smoothing it out. Cut off the surplus.
5 Repeat the process, placing some strips down the length of the face and others horizontally, until the face is completely covered, but taking care to avoid both the eyes and the nostrils.
6 Smooth the edges of the bandage into one another evenly.
7 Leave on the face to harden. This takes a few minutes.
8 Ease the mask off, wiggling it until it loosens.
9 The model must wash their face thoroughly, removing remaining plaster and petroleum jelly.
10 Decorate the mask with acrylic paint.
11 Attach elastic if the mask is to be worn, or display it on a wall.
EASY ADAPTATIONS
Children can transform a basic mask shape with a few special touches.
You will need:
* Card * Elastic * General craft supplies (see below) * Pencils * Scissors
What to do:
: 1 Draw a basic mask shape on card with a pencil. Cut it out, making holes for the eyes. You may choose a full-face mask, or a 'masquerade ball'
design which covers the top half of the face only.
2 Pierce a hole in each edge of the mask and tie on the required length of elastic to hold the mask in place over the face.
3 Use general craft resources to transform the plain mask. Children might cover a mask in bubble-wrap to give an alien or monster appearance for instance, or make an animal with fur-fabric and pipe-cleaner whiskers.
4 Sheets of colourful fun-foam are another alternative material that will look great. They are textured and easy to work with. Simply cut out features from additional pieces of foam and glue into place.
PAPIER MACHE MASKS
You will need:
* Card * Recycled materials (see below)
* Scissors * Pencils * PVA glue * Water
* Bowl * Newspaper * Aprons * Paint
* Garden cane * Strong sticky tape
What to do:
1 Make a batch of papier mache by ripping newspaper into strips. Mix together a solution of one-part PVA glue and one-part water in a bowl.
Place the newspaper in the solution to soak for half an hour.
2 Meanwhile, cut out a basic full mask shape as described above.
3 Make 3D features by sticking on recycled materials - a section of egg-box for a nose, a cone of card for horns, or bottle tops for ears.
4 The whole face can then be covered with a layer of papier mache. Smooth newspaper strips over the raised features so just the contours are seen.
Leave to dry in a warm place overnight.
5 A second layer of papier mache can be added if desired.
6 When completely dry, the mask can be decorated with paint and other craft materials.
7 Mount the mask on a length of garden cane secured with strong sticky tape (it will be too hard to stay on with elastic). The mask can now be held in front of the face.
Miranda Walker is a playwork trainer who owns Playtime out-of-school club in Cullompton, Devon
