Masks & Puppets

Looking for ideas for dress ups or a puppet show? Look no further - we've got you covered!

Elephant Mask

Make your own Elephant Mask to celebrate Book Week 2022. This activity is inspired by Stellarphant by James Foley.
  • Step 1Use a hole punch to make two holes opposite each other at the top of two cardboard rolls. Take another cardboard roll and make two holes opposite each other at the top and two holes opposite each other at the bottom. You should now have two rolls with two holes each, and one roll with four holes.
  • Step 2Download and print out the ear template pieces provided onto white cardboard.
  • Step 3Mix 1 part black paint and 2 parts white paint to create a light grey colour. Paint the ear template pieces, the cardboard rolls from step 1 and your papier mache mask with this mixture. Allow to dry.
  • Step 4To construct your elephant trunk, cut two black chenille stems in half. Adult supervision is recommended when using scissors. Take a cardboard roll with two holes and align the holes with the holes at one end of the cardboard roll with four holes. Thread a stem through one hole and back out the adjacent hole on the other roll. Twist the ends of the chenille stem together. Thread the ends of the stem back through a hole so they sit inside the rolls. Repeat for the two holes on the other side to join the two cardboard rolls.
  • Step 5Repeat step 4 to join the third cardboard roll to the other end of the roll with four holes and finish the trunk.
  • Step 6Cut four slits about 3cm long in one of the end rolls of the trunk. Bend the sections out to create tabs. Place the tabs onto the nose of the mask. Tape the trunk in place using masking tape.
  • Step 7Cut out the ear templates and attach one ear to each side of the mask using masking tape.
  • Step 8Cut a sheet of white cardboard in half along the long edge. Cut in half again so you have two small rectangles. Roll each piece into a cone along the long edge. Use tape to hold the cone shape in place. Place each cone below the cheeks on your mask to create tusks. Secure them onto your mask using masking tape.
  • Step 9Use the grey paint mixture to paint over the masking tape around the tusks and trunk. Allow to dry.
  • Step 10Use a permanent pen to add wrinkles to your elephant’s face, trunk, and ears. Your Elephant Mask is now ready to wear!

Materials used in this activity

Chenille Stems - Bright - Pack of 100
Optional
Product Code: 10825
EACH $7.69 (inc GST) $6.99 (ex GST)
5 or more $5.38 (inc GST) $4.89 (ex GST)          
Increase value Decrease value
Masking Tape - 18mm x 50m
Optional
Product Code: 11774
EACH $5.49 (inc GST) $4.99 (ex GST)
20 or more $3.84 (inc GST) $3.49 (ex GST)          
Increase value Decrease value
Paper Pulp Full Face Masks - Pack of 24
Optional
Product Code: 12988
EACH $54.99 (inc GST) $49.99 (ex GST)
3 to 5 $47.29 (inc GST) $42.99 (ex GST) 6 or more $38.49 (inc GST) $34.99 (ex GST)
Increase value Decrease value
Product Code: 15518
EACH $3.84 (inc GST) $3.49 (ex GST)
Increase value Decrease value
Product Code: 15616
EACH $9.89 (inc GST) $8.99 (ex GST)
Increase value Decrease value
CleverPatch Cardboard - White - A4 - Pack of 100
Optional
Product Code: 16288
EACH $21.99 (inc GST) $19.99 (ex GST)
4 or more $16.49 (inc GST) $14.99 (ex GST)          
Increase value Decrease value
Product Code: 16885
EACH $4.94 (inc GST) $4.49 (ex GST)
Increase value Decrease value
Product Code: 16886
EACH $4.94 (inc GST) $4.49 (ex GST)
Increase value Decrease value
Paint Brushes - Pack of 12
Optional
Product Code: 18227
EACH $10.99 (inc GST) $9.99 (ex GST)
10 or more $8.79 (inc GST) $7.99 (ex GST)          
Increase value Decrease value
Hole Punch - Each
Optional
Product Code: 18765
EACH $5.49 (inc GST) $4.99 (ex GST)
6 or more $3.84 (inc GST) $3.49 (ex GST)          
Increase value Decrease value
EverZart Permanent Pens - Black - Pack of 20
Optional
Product Code: 19810
EACH $36.29 (inc GST) $32.99 (ex GST)
3 or more $27.16 (inc GST) $24.69 (ex GST)          
Increase value Decrease value