How to Make a Paper Halloween Mask

            There's nothing more fun than dressing up for Halloween regardless of whether you're a small child parading through the neighborhood or an adult throwing a party for your friends.  Using these quick tips, you can make your own mask that's as fun to create as it is to wear. 

Getting Started

            For this project, you will need: various colored construction paper, string, a pair of scissors, glue, and any additional adornments you think you'll need depending on the mask.  Feathers, googly eyes and glitter are always good options.  Once you've got everything you need, it's time to decide what mask you'd like to make.  Would you like to be an animal like a tiger or a colorful bird?  Or would you prefer a scarier mask made to look like a ghost or a witch?  Once you have decided, cut out a piece of paper in an oval shape the size of your face that's the same color as the creature you want to imitate (ghosts would be white, witches green, and so on). 

Making Your Mask

            Next, you'll need eye holes.  Gently pinch the paper in the approximate place where your eyes are on the mask, the make a small snip into the top of the bend you've created.  Once you have a slit, insert the scissors into it and cut out the eye holes in whatever shape you desire.  Do the same for a mouth hole or simply cut off the bottom of the mask leaving you mouth area exposed.  Next, poke two holes on either side of the mask with the scissors, then tie a piece of string between them creating the band that will hold the mask to your face.  Now that you've got the basic steps completed, it's time to get creative.  Making masks that have pieces that stick out, like beaks, is simple and can add an interesting element to your creation.  In the case of a bird beak, cut out a triangle with one long end from orange or yellow construction paper then fold it along the farthest point on the perpendicular side.  Finally, bend the short side down approximately an inch then glue the tab you've created to the center of the mask where a beak would naturally go. 

            No matter what mask you create, don't forget don't forget to have fun with it!  It doesn't matter if it looks professionally made; it's your personal mask and as long as you had fun making and wearing it, it was a complete success.