Optional:

• decorations such as faux feather, beads, and pipe cleaners
• craft glue

Directions

1. Each mask will need a base coat of paint. For example, to make an alligator mask, use a foam brush to spread a thin layer of green acrylic paint over the entire outside surface of the cup and let dry. (Note: You may need more than one coat of paint to cover the cup’s surface and to make the color bright enough. Allow paint to dry between coats.)


2. Once the paint is completely dry, use markers and other paint colors to decorate the cup. For the alligator, use a black marker to draw a mouth that connects from one side of the cup to the other. Then draw scales all the way around the cup (except inside the mouth). Fill in the mouth with red paint and let dry. Use white paint and a small paintbrush to add dots in the mouth for teeth. Let dry.


3. Add decorative touches to make your animal mask extra special. For example, use pipe cleaners as the leopard's whiskers and faux feathers around the base of the toucan mask.


4. Once you have finished painting and decorating your mask, punch a hole on each side of the cup. String a piece of ribbon long enough to tie around your head through the outside of one hole and the inside of the other. Tie knots at the end of each string. When it comes time to wear the mask, tie the ends of the string behind your head.

Special tips

1. Make an animal mask for your doll using a smaller cup, such as the ones that come with cough syrup or a small paper bathroom cup.


2. If you have trouble painting your cup, you can try covering it with colored construction paper instead and stapling or gluing the paper on. Then draw details on the paper.


3. If your paint comes in a spray can, be sure to ask an adult for help. Paint outside on lots of newspaper to protect surfaces from paint spraying everywhere.