1Inflate a balloon.

Blow air into a balloon until you reach the desired size. To ensure that the balloon does not shrink or deflate during drying, use good quality balloons. Seal the balloon with a tight knot to keep the air in.

2Tear paper into pieces.

Tear paper or newspapers into fairly large pieces. We need 3 layers of paper to cover the balloon. Newspapers are great to use because of how well they absorb the paste. However, we suggest that to clearly distinguish one layer from the next, it's a good idea to alternate newspaper pieces with unprinted paper or colored paper.

3Prepare the paste.

Make your papier mache paste by mixing 2 parts white glue with 1 part water. This means that a 4 fl.oz bottle (118 ml) of white school glue needs ¼ cup (2 fl.oz. or 60 ml) water. Mix well.

Other ways to make papier mache paste include a flour-based recipe as well as liquid starch. See them at our papier mache paste page.

4Soak the paper with paste.

Pour some papier mache paste onto a small tray or shallow container.

Dip a piece of paper into the paste. Let the paper soak in the paste.

5Place the paper on the balloon.

Shake off the excess paste and place the paper on the balloon. Smooth out the edges of paper with your finger or with a paint brush.

6Place more pieces of paper.

Repeat the process (Steps 4 and 5), overlapping the pieces of paper as you cover the entire surface of the balloon.

You'll find it easier and less messy if you set the balloon on top of a large bowl or small bucket as you work on your papier mache.

7Smoothen out the wrinkles.

Once you've covered the entire surface of the balloon, smoothen the edges of the pieces of paper or any large wrinkles on the paper using your finger or a paint brush.

8Make a second layer.

Make a second layer following Steps 4 to 7. If you followed our tip about alternating the newspaper layer with an unprinted or colored layer of paper, you'll find it easy to finish a layer without missing any spots or over-layering certain areas.

9Make a third layer.

Make a third layer using pieces of newspaper.

10Let the papier mache dry.

Let your papier mache dry. You can leave it on top of the bowl or bucket and turn it from time to time. Another option is to hang it to dry by clipping a clothespin onto the balloon's knotted end.

The papier mache will dry completely in about 2-3 days.