Paper Mache is a terrific project for all ages, especially young kids as they can get their hands involved – perfect for sensory development! And a great lesson on how to recycle paper egg boxes! Although a project on its own, this is the primary step-by-step for a follow up project, which you could vary. You can use this Paper Mache heart for a painting project, a mosaic project etc.

By reducing what we use, reusing what we do need, Upcycling, and recycling something once we have no more use for it, we can all make a small difference to the health of our planet Earth. Follow our easy step by step instructions and see how easy it is to make your own recycled Paper Mache heart!

Step 1: What You Will Need

What you need to make a Paper Mache heart:

Several paper egg trays cartons or boxes
Water Bucket
Wall paper glue (one packet)
Cardboard sheet (A4)
Working surface
Read through all the instructions first before starting this recycling Paper Mache craft.

Step 2:

The first thing you need to do is tear up your egg trays and boxes, place them in the bucket and then pour water over the egg boxes (enough to cover everything). Allow to soak overnight.

There are basically 2 methods of making paper mache. One is to take paper boils and mash frm newsprint or other paper sources or two take pulp packaging boxes like egg boxes that is already in a very loose fiber form. Of the two methods of Paper Mache, you can already see that we will be doing the pulp version of Paper Mache in this recycling project.

Step 3:

Having allowed the recycled egg tray cardboard to soak overnight, it should be much softer and easier to work with. You want to use your hands to pulp the cardboard. Squeeze the pulp between your fingers, breaking the cardboard down into a fine pulp. Drain the excess water.

You can see how this would be great for young kids; the squishy lumpy wet paper pulp is great fun for them! You can see how this would be great for young kids, the squishy lumpy wet paper pulp is great fun for them!

Step 4:

Now we as a extra step put our pulp though a blender to make a much finer grade of paper mache. you can skip this step if you want

Step 5:

Mix in a cup of flour and a cup of salt with your hands, or you can use wall paper glue and add it into the mix. Now in rder to work with the paper mache you need to remove excess so that you get a firm mass that you can sculpt with. The best way it to take several hand fills and place in a sieve and press the mache against the sides of the sieve to remove excess water.

Step 6:

Lay your cardboard sheet onto your working surface and begin to lump the Paper Mache out onto the card, in the shape of a heart. This will be your low relief.

Step 7:

Once you have a thick layer of Paper Mache on your cardboard sheet, in the shape of a heart, you can start building the shape up.

Step 8:

Add lumps of recycled paper, Paper Mache to the shape, building the centre of the heart up the most and tapering down towards the sides. This would be your high relief.

Constantly using your fingers to work the Paper Mache and retain the heart shape.

Step 9:

Once the basic shape is complete and in high relief, use your fingers to smooth the Paper Mache surface as much as you like.

Step 10:

With the final shape complete, you want to leave it on the cardboard sheet and allow the Paper Mache to dry. Depending on how wet your mixture is, it may take quite some time to dry. Leave in the sun or a warm well ventilated room, to dry for a few days.

TIP: Do not leave the Paper Mache in a cool or airtight room – as it may start to mould!