Paper plates are a wonderful base for all sorts of craft projects. This simple mask pattern can be converted into a person’s face, such as a professional role; an animal; or a holiday figure or pattern, from a Christmas elf to a Valentine’s Day design. Decorate the mask with markers, crayons, paint, tape, yarn, and whatever other craft supplies are available.
Create a Paper Plate Mask Base
Hold the paper plate up to the child’s face. With a crayon or marker, lightly draw the placement of the child’s eyes. Cut out rough circles for the eyes, making them small and then testing the size on the child’s face. Adjust the size and shape if necessary.
If creating masks with a group then trace and cut out the eyes for children beforehand. Older children can be shown how to punch a pencil through the plate where the eyes will go and then use that as an entry point for scissors. Have the child consider what type of mask they want to create, whether animal, holiday, or person.
Decorate the Paper Plate Mask
Allow the child to decorate the mask with crayons, markers, paint, glitter glue, feathers, chenille stems, etc. (Whatever is supplied, kids will use; if an item isn’t supplied, the children won’t miss it.) Some materials can create limitations. If the children are coloring the mask with crayon, then tape won’t adhere to the waxy substance (although this isn’t a problem if tape won’t be used to adhere anything to the front of the mask). Paint and white glue can require up to a day to dry.
Children can trim the shape of the mask, with the reminder to remove less than they think necessary because they want the plate to cover their face. Use construction paper and glue or staples to add on ears or other adornments.
Finishing the Mask
Hot glue a wide craft stick to the base of the mask to create a mask the child can hold up to their face. If the adult is creating masks with a group of children and wants to save the efforts of tying masks onto numerous children, this method is ideal.
If the children need their hands free, perhaps for a dramatic play, punch two holes about an inch from the edge of the plate, a little higher than the eyes. Tie a piece of string or yarn through each hole and knot in place.
A paper plate makes a quick and easy base for all sorts of masks. Masks can be worn as well as hung up on the wall as a holiday decoration or as part of a lesson unit.
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