Activity Goals
Introduce children to the technique of papier-mâché, a sculptural art designed to make three-dimensional objects using paper and glue. Develop motor skills and manual dexterity through papermaking and shape-making. Foster creativity and imagination by allowing children to design and decorate their own sculptures.
Materials needed
- PRIMO vinyl glue in a small bottle with flow-control nozzle
- Newspaper or recycled paper torn into strips
- Water (to dilute the vinyl glue)
- Objects to use as a base structure (balloons, plastic bottles, cardboard boxes, etc.)
- Brushes for spreading the glue
- Acrylic paint for the final decoration
- Brushes of various sizes for painting
Activity
- Preparing the base
Choose a base structure for the sculpture: it can be a balloon for a round shape, a box if you want to make a cubic figure, or a bottle for a cylindrical shape.
We recommend explaining to the children that this structure will be the skeleton of their sculpture and that they will create the actual sculpture on top of the skeleton with papier-mâché. - Preparing the papier-mâché
Prepare a mixture of PRIMO vinyl glue and water in 2 to 1 parts in a bowl.
Show the children how to brush with the glue mixture the base structure where they will then apply the paper strips. - Creating the sculpture
Encourage children to overlap multiple layers of papier-mâché, shaping additional details and forms as they go along if they wish, explaining that more layers will make the sculpture more solid. Allow the sculpture to dry completely (this may take several hours up to 24 hours, depending on thickness). - Decorating the sculpture
Once dry, children can paint their work with PRIMO acrylic paint.
Suggest they add details or patterns, using brushes of various sizes for a more interesting result. - Displaying the artwork
Invite children to display their finished sculptures and tell the story or inspiration behind their work. This can be a “sharing time” for the group.
Educational benefits of the activity
- Gross and fine motor skill development: Tearing paper and shaping papier-mâché strengthens hands and improves coordination.
- Creative expression and imagination: Creating original sculptures allows children to explore their imagination and bring unique shapes to life.
- Patience and perseverance: Papier-mâché requires drying time and multiple layers, teaching children the importance of waiting and working calmly to achieve a lasting result.
- Artistic sensitivity and three-dimensionality: Children can learn how shapes develop in space and how to combine colours and textures to achieve a full visual effect.
Tips for parents and teachers
- Remember that it is best to plan the activity over several days to allow the papier-mâché to dry completely between layers.
- Encourage children to work in groups to exchange ideas and help each other in the creative process.
Papier-mâché with PRIMO vinyl glue offers a unique opportunity to explore sculptural art in a fun and easy way. Let children experiment with shape, paint, and texture to make small three-dimensional works of art that can be proudly displayed or given as gifts!
Find out many more creative techniques with PRIMO vinyl glue bottles in the Creativity - Ideas section of our website.
