Introduction: 1-up and Super Mushroom Ornaments
Power up your Christmas and give your tree Extra Life with these super cute Super Mario ornaments you can make in an afternoon! They're fast and inexpensive, so go ahead and build an entire Mushroom Kingdom!
Step 1: Materials
For this project, you will need:
- Two different sizes of styrofoam balls
- Paint (I used red, green and white, but die-hard fans may opt for the original colors: red with orange spots for Super Mushrooms and orange with green spots for 1ups)
- Mod podge - this can be found in craft stores, and is used to fill in the pores of the styrofoam to create a smoother painting surface. Alternatively, spackle could be used, and might be quicker in the end.
- Glue
- Small gauge wire to make a hook (or pre-formed ornament hook)
- Wire cutters
- X-acto (or similar) knife
- Sandpaper
- Paint brush and cups for water
Step 2: Shape Your Balls
Carve your styrofoam balls into the appropriate shapes. The larger size will become the mushroom cap and the smaller will become the stem.
- Mark both styro balls with cutting lines. Creating cross-mark lines helped me draw a fairly even circle and provided markings for me to help cut away the styrofoam easily.
- Cut each of the pieces flat along the lines
- On the flat side of the larger piece, mark a circle approximately the size of the circumference of the smaller ball so it will fit inside. Don't worry too much about getting an accurate measurement. Start out on the smaller side and you can always carve away more.
- Hollow out the inside of the larger ball, using the circle as a guide. Check to see if the stem piece will fit snugly inside and make adjustments as necessary,
- Holding the flat side of each ball flush with the table, sand away the edges to ensure an even, smooth edge. This takes about 2 seconds. Don't overdo it.
Step 3: Add Hanging Hook
If you already have some ornament hooks around, then awesome, just use those.
If you don't, cut some wire to make one. I don't remember what gauge I used. Something light.
If you don't, cut some wire to make one. I don't remember what gauge I used. Something light.
- Measure out a small length of wire and cut with wire cutters.
- Form small spiral around handle of X-acto knife or pencil
- Pierce through inside of mushroom cap, flattening the spiral so it won't slip through
- Form wire into hook shape
- Trim as necessary (or just make a bigger hook)
Step 4: Prep Pieces for Painting
Using the Mod Podge or spackle, seal the outside of the styrofoam balls to ensure a smooth painting surface.
- Paint a thin layer of Mod Podge (or similar product) or spackle over the outer surface of your mushroom pieces
- Let dry thoroughly
- Sand surface
- Repeat
Step 5: Mask Circles
To make sure you have nice circles, it helps to create a mask to block the areas that will be white. I used four circles for this size mushroom.
- Trace something circular (I used the bottom of the paint bottles I had) onto masking tape, contact paper or something similar you might have around and cut them out.
- Place masking circles around the mushroom cap and carefully press down all edges
Step 6: Paint
Paint your mushrooms!
- Paint your main color over the masked mushroom caps
- Paint the stems white
- Let dry
- Remove masking circles from mushroom caps
- Paint circles white, using edges of masking as a guide. Go slowly and use just the edge of the brush to smooth out the edges of the circle.
Step 7: Finish
The rest is simple!
- Glue the mushroom stem into the cap
- Using paint or a Sharpie (or similar) marker, draw on eyes
- Hang on your tree and soak up the glory of all your friends saying "Awww......."

Participated in the
Homemade Holidays: Holiday Decorations
40 Comments
7 years ago
Love it!! Plan on making these babies tonight! Great instructable!
11 years ago on Introduction
totaly awesome can't wait to make for my 21
and 30 year olds thanks.................party on can't wait till xmas
12 years ago on Introduction
My friend (fuzzwuzzle.com) was inspired by this instructable and made the attached. I love 'em!
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
Boo looks so much less scary when he is an ornament XD
12 years ago on Introduction
I am so making these!!! Might do them out of skulpy for durability!!!
12 years ago on Introduction
up in a tree...
12 years ago on Step 4
I came across polystyrene balls with smooth outsides, and I thought those would be good so you don't have to do this. Not sure about the permanence of the paint though
13 years ago on Introduction
First of all - awesome instructable. Made some myself and my friends love them.
With my left over Styrofoam balls and scraps, I expanded on your idea and made Bob-omb and Boo!
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
Awesome!! I would love to make both of these as well! you should post an instructable!
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
LOVE IT!!!
12 years ago on Introduction
Most instructables either sound too expensive (which scares me away from them) or too hard (also scares me away). But this one is great! Seems cheap, looks easy enough and most of all fun! Im going to make both of these and give them to my parents for presents. I am hoping to get them to remember their childhood memories again. :D
12 years ago on Introduction
Really like this!!
Going to make them as well with the kids in the christmas holiday!
Thnx for the great idea!
13 years ago on Introduction
how did you get the paint so smooth? when i did mine it looked like wood :(
13 years ago on Introduction
I can't tell you how glad i am that you put this up. I have been trying to figure out something to do for my cousin for DAYS now. He loves Super Mario Brothers. i typed that into the search thing, & up popped your instructable! now i have the PERFECT thing to make him. :) thank you SOOO much! :D
13 years ago on Introduction
its great! im about to make one, and im gonna put an LED in the middle of the head so it lights up!
If it turns out good, ill put some pics up
13 years ago on Introduction
made them your instrutable is good easy to follow and mine look awsome that i made thx
13 years ago on Step 4
I'm in the process of making one of these and I would suggest to others to go with spackling paste. I'm using a slightly watered down consistency and I'm expecting some smooth results. The Mod Podge did a good job of sealing though and it would make sense as a primer before applying a top coat of colored paint.
Just my $0.02 though.
14 years ago on Introduction
Great instructable! It inspired me to make a set using a wooden ball and a dowel - Link to my instructable.
14 years ago on Introduction
Just made some with my Daughter. She found a product called "smoothfoam" at Michael's. They are styrofoam balls but, like the name says, they are smooth, so no mod podge needed. I cut a 2.5" ball for the cap and a 2" ball for the body, and sharpie marker for coloring. I used some sandpaper to smooth down a little ring that was on the smoothfoam from the forming process.
14 years ago on Step 2
Wow, while just glancing over I thought it said SHAVE. Anyways, love the instructable. I'm making one with a digital photo keychain in it. Family photos and pics from 8-bit glory days.