Paper Plate Masks

Paper plates can be used for all sorts of crafts project at Halloween.  Here we share some ideas on how kids can make their own scary masks.  It’s safest if you cut out the eye holes for them, but they will enjoy designing and decorating their masks themselves.

First of all, make your mask template by cutting out the eyes in the right place so the children can see out when they wear their finished masks.  These can be any shape your child wants – triangular, round, jagged etc.  Then tape something to each side of the plate to keep it in place.  You could use ribbons or string which can be tied secure, or elastic that can be stretched into place.

Once you’ve made the basic template, you can let the kids go to work decorating their mask.  The list of designs is endless and they can really use their imaginations here.  Popular themes for Halloween include pumpkins, witches, black cats or monsters.

All kinds of materials can be used, depending on what you have to hand and the personal tastes of your kids!  They could leave the paper plates white, or color them in with paint, crayons or felt tip pens.

All sorts of things can be stuck onto masks, such as glitter, buttons or pipe cleaners.  Kids could stick on triangular shaped card for a cat’s ears or make a big witch’s nose from part of an egg carton.

Getting the kids making their own Halloween masks is a good way to keep them entertained for a couple of hours – as long as you don’t mind clearing up the mess afterwards!