Papier Mache Planets

by Facci Designs

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Intro: Papier Mache Planets

Here are my DIY tips for creating the papier mache planets. This is a great craft to do with your kids. Keep in mind that this is a labor-intensive DIY project but so much fun!





STEP 1: Gather Balloons

I gathered an assortment of round balloons

STEP 2: Create Papier Mache Mixture

I then created my papier mache mixture by mixing flour and water. This is your "glue". Should be the consistency of pancake batter...you could probably add some eggs and milk, hmm, and some chocolate chips...ok...I digress. You get the point. 



STEP 3: Start Applying

I applied three layers of strips to each balloon, allowing each layer to dry in between. You don't want to be so neat and smooth with the layering. Remember, planets are textured, I think, either way, they're more interesting that way.

STEP 4: Drying Process

On a damp day, placing the planets in front of  the oven door helped speed up the drying process. Temperature around 200°

The balloons will shrivel up...and die, I mean dry. No point in trying to remove them.

STEP 5: Base Coat

Once dry, I painted each planet with a coat of white primer before applying the color. Then let them dry again. Resting the planets on flower pots helps keep them stable.





STEP 6: Start Painting!

I use acrylic paints. The colors are easy to mix and they clean up easily with water.

This image shows the first layer of color. Let each dry before your second coat. At this point, I added hooks made out of a piece of wire. Almost like an upside down "T"  with a loop. insert into the hollow planet so the top of the "T" sits within each side of the hole.

STEP 7: I'm Ready for My Closeup

A closeup of Neptune and Venus.

With two coats of base color, sponge on a second darker or lighter color to bring out the texture. This works best when the planet is not fully dry. Have fun, you can't really make any mistakes here.

Spray a gloss coat on to give the planets some shine and protection.

52 Comments

Ddkhnn 1 year ago

I am just wondering how what the sizes of each planet were?

the artis 3 years ago

but if you can't have paint

Hoimenoewhoi 3 years ago

I think it has to do with drying or they added something to give it a glossy look

Facci Designs 6 years ago

hi, i sprayed them with gloss spray paint!

ca6189 6 years ago

Thank you for this post. We couldn’t find round balloons so we bought a punch ball at the party store. I don’t think it will deflate. How do we paper mache down the ends? Thanks!

ca6189 6 years ago

If you see this, we’re working on this now for a project due next week so your ideas will be so helpful!

Jaedan_cute_wow 7 years ago

Thx this can help me with my science project due on the 31st!

Lovergirl0098 8 years ago

I STILL DONT KNOW HOW TO MAKE JUPITER!!!!!!!!

richardt72 8 years ago

If you want a huge planet, try a children's toy space hopper instead of a balloon. They are around 50cm diameter. It might be a good idea to place a piece of string threaded through a piece of stiff card on to the surface of the hopper before applying papier mache so as to have something to hang it up by.

Ann MarieS2 8 years ago

Hi.

I would have liked to printed out the "project" but, alas, I am too cheap to upgrade...

First time here and saw your project which would be perfect for a 4-H STEM Project we are working on. Middle Schoolers will design and make a planet and THEN program a "mission" for their group to "explore and measure" aspects of planets in space. Thanks.

Facci Designs 8 years ago

Hi Ann Marie, you could take a screenshot of each page and then print.

HollyE3 8 years ago

Love the colors on the planets, I've been looking for ideas to make a solar system for my twin boys, great idea!

Princess.High15 9 years ago

Hi i was wondering how much flour and water and egg should i put it in

afujishima 8 years ago

You don't use egg at all, that was a bit of humor on the author's part. She made a joke about making pancakes because the "glue" (using ONLY flour and water) should be about the consistency (without lumps) of pancake batter, which got her thinking about pancakes and that's why she mentioned adding milk and eggs and chocolate chips, as those are the very basic ingredients for pancakes (well chocolate chip pancakes).. albeit flat pancakes, since there is no baking powder. Adding a bit of salt to the "glue" is a good idea however, because salt will help prevent the possible formation of mold on your finished projects.

chelseaagbinor01 9 years ago

NOW........... I REALLY NEED HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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