This How to Make a Paper-Mâché Piggy Bank is an easy craft for kids. Using things your already have around your home you can make a Paper-Mâché Piggy Bank in an afternoon!
Tips about working Paper-Mâché
- Cover your surface with news paper, art mat or vinyl table cloth before starting
- The newspaper + glue can stick to hands (you might want to have a bowl of water + towel near by for cleaning hands)
- Balloons can roll around on surfaces. You might want to put it in a bowl to keep it stable while you cover with newspaper
Did you know? Banks in the shape of a pig first appeared in Europe around the 1400s. Most of these banks were made out of ceramic or porcelain. The Old Farmer’s Almanac for Kids, Volume 8 teaches how to make a piggy bank using regular household items.
How to Make a Paper-Mâché Piggy Bank
SUPPLIES YOU WILL NEED:
- 1 balloon
- 1 paper towel
- Tape
- Cardboard
- Newspaper
- Bowl
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups water
- Paint and paintbrushes
- Stickers (optional)
Instructions
- The balloon is your mold. Blow it up to your desired piggy bank size.
- Cut the paper towel roll into five pieces to serve as the feet and snout. Tape the feet and snout to the balloon.
- Cut ears out of the cardboard. Tape them to your piggy bank’s head.
- Tear newspaper into strips 1 to 2 inches wide and in a variety of lengths.
- In the bowl, combine the flour and water. Stir to make a smooth paste.
- Dip one strip of newspaper into the paste, coating it thoroughly. Hold the strip between two fingers of one hand and, with the other hand, pull it through your fingers to remove the excess paste.
- Lay the strip on the mold. Gently smooth in place. Repeat, overlapping the strips and laying them in different directions. When the balloon is covered, and each time you add layers, set it aside to dry thoroughly and put a cover on the paste. Repeat the process until you are satisfied. (We recommend at least four layers.)
- When completely dry, cut a slot in the top of the pig. This will pop the balloon. Remove the balloon through the slot. Paint or decorate your piggy bank.
Source: The Old Farmer’s Almanac for Kids, Volume 8.
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE TO READ: 25 SUMMER ACTIVITIES TO DO WITH KIDS WHILE YOU ARE SELF-DISTANCING
GIVEAWAY!
Enter for a chance to WIN a copy of The Old Farmer’s Almanac for Kids Volume 8 (available in stores now).
Yes, my kids would love to try this!
We have done paper mache projects in the past but haven’t tried a piggy Bank. Thus is a fun idea to try.
Sounds like a fun project to do with the grandchildren.
I would love to try this when I have my granddaughter next time for a sleep over, looks like a lot of fun!
Yes, I would love to try this try this Paper-Mâché Piggy Bank craft with my grandson. He’s done several projects for school using paper-mache and they all turned out great.
Yes, my kids would enjoy making this!
This is amazing and yes we will make a Paper-Mâché Piggy Bank.
Yes as my grandkids would have great fun doing this!
My kids loooove paper mache, I like it too but not so much the cleanup after! This is such a cute project I think we will have to try it!
I think my son would enjoy making this paper mache piggy bank.
Oh we’d love to try this craft! It looks like so much fun.
.It would be a great craft to make with my grandchildren. It looks like so much fun.
Yes. I remember making papier mache with my Mom when I was young. How great to share that experience with my girls.
Sure! We need all the craft ideas we can get these days.
I could give it a try!You could make other items using the same method as well :)Thanks!