ROBOTS ~ PAPER MACHE

Simple Robots created out of cardboard boxes, pieces of cardboard, some springs and paper mache.  Robots can be just about any size, from 4 or 5 inches to a few feet high.  After cardboard is taped together, robot is covered with a layer or two of paper mache, a coat of Gesso or white base paint, and it's ready for painting.  A fun craft for all ages.

Materials  

Cardboard boxes, pieces of cardboard, scissors, masking tape, liquid starch and torn newspaper strips, little springs and or wire, Gesso and assorted acrylic paints and brush.

This robot is about 8 inches high and is made with a box for the main body, a smaller box for the head and 2 pieces of folded cardboard for arms.  A little spring was poked into the top of the head but you can also use a piece of coiled wire.  

After boxes and cardboard are taped together, cover with a layer or two of paper mache.  I prefer liquid starch and torm newspaper strips.  Liquid starch is only sold at a few select markets like Stater Brothers but you can use any paper mache recipe you like.

After paper mache is dry, paint a coat of Gesso (or any white acrylic paint) so robot will be nice and bright for painting.

I prefer acrylic paints for paper mache projects as it covers really well.  The little inexpensive bottles sold at craft stores work great.  Let kids pick out the colors they like and encourage them to paint their robots any way they choose.   You can use a clear acrylic top coat for a nice shiny finish which is not necessary but looks great and makes objects a little  stronger.

Small cardboard robots are fun and easy to take to kids spending time in the hospital for example.  But be sure to try creating other sizes and even extra large ones made from large boxes.  You can also cut face pieces and "controls" out of pieces of cardboard and glue them on your robot.  Keep it super simple or make it detailed, lots of possibilities.