How to Make a Paper Mache Piggy Bank
Make paper mache piggy banks with products you already have at home. Use this tutorial for just for fun or to give out as a party favor.
Gather your materials
- 9-inch balloon
- Small bowl
- Printer paper
- Scissors
- Ear and Feet Template. Download here DIY piggy bank
- Large mixing bowl
- Flour
- Water
- Whisk
- Towel
- Masking tape
- Paintbrushes
- Paint in assorted colors
- Stencils (optional)
- Craft knife
First layer
First, Cut the printer paper into approximately 2-inch by 4-inch strips. Use about five pages per layer.
In a large mixing bowl, combine 1/2 cup of flour and 1 cup of water. Whisk until all the lumps have dissolved.
To begin, cover your working area with a towel. It will get messy. Don’t worry; it’s worth it.
Inflate the balloon and place it on a small bowl. This bowl will keep it in place while you work.
Dip one strip of paper at a time into the flour mixture, remove as much of the mixture by running it through your fingers and continue to overlap the strips until all the surface of the balloon gets covered.
Leave a small square uncovered by the snout area, so you can easily remove the balloon later. Let it dry, and rotate as it dries.
Second layer
In the meantime, print the DIY piggy bank template. Cut the partial circles and use masking tape to form cones. Cut the triangles; they will be the ears.
Once the first layer is dry, attach the cone feet to the balloon using masking tape. Place them about 1-inch apart from each other. Flip over to make sure the piggy is not wobbly. After you make all your adjustments, flip once more on its feet and attach the ears with masking tape.
Make more flour mixture if needed.
Add another layer of paper mache to the piggy. Add extra pieces around the feet and bottom so it can support the weight and wrap the ears gently to prevent any bending. Let it dry, and don’t forget to rotate as it dries.
Final touches
Once dry, remove the balloon and cover the snout area with a few layers of paper mache. Let it dry.
Finally, use a craft knife to cut a rectangle on the top or side area or the piggy. Make it narrow if you are using it for coins or wide if you are using it as a party favor.
Decorate the Piggy
Choose a base color to paint the whole piggy bank. Paint and let it dry.
Use paint brushes, stencils and acrylic paint to decorate.
Fill and save!
