“mama, i’m not sure i’m a paper mache guy,” he said.  the glue-y goop dripped from his fingers as he slid the newspaper strips through and slapped them onto the balloon.  but we sat together for hours that day the next, using a basic paper mache recipe to make a bowl we wouldn’t use.  and it was fun.

 

 

paper mache creates messy, gooey, drippy moments that broke from the everyday.  it creates temporary works of art and magical moments when science happens naturally.

 

 

balloons slowly leak air or makeshift molds don’t release and projects have to be scrapped.  lessons are learned through curiosity and freedom to explore is a gift.

 

 

 

the chance for me, too, as mama, to let go of the “have to” and be all-in for the tactile experience of slick, cool flour-and-water paste, is a rare gift.

 

 

adding a drop or two of an essential oil makes it even better, because lavender is relaxing and peppermint is stimulating, and another sense is engaged, awakening further our experience.

 

 

 

this basic recipe for paper mache can also be found in recipe for play, a book we received for review.

 

 

flour

water

(amounts vary, but a 1/1 ratio is good, and 1 cup of each gave us more than enough for several projects such is this balloon-mold bowl.)

old newspaper

1-2 drops essential oil such as lavender, if desired