Use paper and glue to make your own 3 dimensional hot air balloon! 

Materials: 

• Paper 

• Glue and Water Mixture (1:1 ratio) 

• Plate (Cut to strips) 

• Cup 

• Yarn 

• Tray 

• Balloon (inflated) 

• Single Hole Punch

• Paint (optional) 

• Paint Brush (optional) 

• Cup or Paint Palette (optional) 

Steps: 

1. Start by blowing up the balloon. It doesn't need to be huge, but blown up enough to tie it off. 

• This will be the armature, or interior structure, of your hot air balloon while you make it. 

2. Put some glue/water mixture onto the plate, and get your paper strips ready. 

3. Make paper mache by putting the paper strips into the glue and water mixture. 

• I put one side down, flip and dip the other side, then use two fingers to "squeegee" off the excess, but not tightly. 

4. Place these strips one-at-a-time onto the balloon. I would suggest starting at the top and making an "X" shape, then attaching more as your go, either horizontally or vertially, your preference. 

• It will be heavier where you've put the strips, so be careful to leave it on the tray to stop it from rolling away! 

• As you do this step, make sure to connect the strips to each other, they need to be touching, but don't need to be compeltely on top of one another.

5. Allow your balloon to dry, then repeat this process again. You will need at least 2 layers to make your hot air balloon strong enough. 

6. Pop or cut out the balloon from inside once your paper mache is dry.

• This might be slightly tough as the balloon might be stuck to hyour paper. Don't worry about any stuck pieces on the inside, get most of it out. 

• I like to cut a small hole near the tied off section of the balloon and slowly release the air as I use my other hand to gently separate the paper and the balloon. 

7. After getting rid of the armature, you can either paint your new sculpture, or move to Step 9. 

8. (OPTIONAL)- Paint your hot air balloon. I've used tempera paint for this before, but it might be easier to use acrylic as it will dry quicker (just be careful of clothing). Let this dry once you finish painting. 

• You can also choose to paint your dixie cup to look like the basket for your hot air balloon. 

9. Once your balloon is dried (painted or unpainted), use a single hole punch to make 2 holes in the open end of your sculpture and in your extra cup (I used a Dixie cup for this). 

10. Using the yarn, cut 2 equal length pieces, and tie to one hole on your hot air balloon, and one hole on the cup. Repeat this for the other side so that the cup hangs off of your sculpture like a basket for your balloon. 

And You're Done!