How to Make a Paper Mache Viking Hat

Thanks to movies and television, you probably have a pretty good idea of what a soldier's armor looks like. Helmets were an important part of a warrior's protective gear, but perhaps the most iconic of these are the horned helmets that Vikings are known for. While a horned helmet definitely says "Viking" in modern times, there is no evidence that real Viking helmets ever had horns. But that doesn't mean you can't make one out of paper mache to complete your Viking costume.

Dump the flour into a large bowl.

Pour in the water slowly and stir immediately. Continue adding water to the mix until all of the water is used. Stir the mixture with the spoon until it is a smooth paste.

Submerge the strips of newspaper in the paper mache mixture and then remove, shaking off excess liquid. Hold the balloon with the tied end down. Place the strips flat on the surface of the balloon. Smooth the strips with your fingers if necessary. Do not allow the strips to fold. Continue until the balloon is covered with two layers of sticky newspaper strips.

Dip the strips of white paper in the mixture and cover them with paste. Add a third layer of sticky strips to the balloon using the white strips. Set the balloon aside to let the paper mache dry.

Roll the 4-by-4 inch wire mesh into a cylinder shape. Squeeze and twist one end into a point. Curve the cylinder body slightly to give it a horn shape.

Dip newspaper strips into the paste mix and cover the wire mesh with two layers of strips. Dip white paper strips in the paper mache paste mix and add a third layer of paper to the mesh. Ensure that the paper strips cover the mesh completely, including the opening at the bottom of the horn. Repeat Step 5 and Step 6 for the second strip of wire mesh. Allow both horns to dry completely.

Pop the balloon covered with paper mache with a craft knife. Cut 1 to 2 inches of the bottom of the helmet off, enough to allow a head through the opening.

Mark the top sides of the helmet where you want to place the horns with a marker. Make the marks symmetrical. Place glue on the bottom of the horn and press it on the place you indicated. Hold until the glue dries. Repeat with the second horn.

Dip two strips of white paper into the paper mache mix. Wrap them around the area where the base of the right horn sits against the helmet. Repeat for the left horn. This reinforces the horns on the helmet. Allow the base of the horns to dry completely.

Paint the round portion of the helmet silver and the horns white.