Paper Plate Monster Mask

What you need

• a paper plate
• crayons
• strips of coloured paper for hair
• child scissors
• sticky tape
• a toilet roll tube for a handle

How to do it

1. Cut two eye holes in the plate for your child, then let them draw a monster face round them: a big mouth, a nose, spiky teeth.
2. Snip the paper strips into fringes or short pieces for hair, and tape them round the top of the plate.
3. Tape the tube to the bottom as a handle so they can hold the mask in front of their face.
4. Give it a monster name, then take turns behind the mask: roar, then say hello in a friendly monster voice.

Why it matters

A big circle is an easy place for eyes, a nose and a mouth, and snipping the hair finishes the job. Then the mask lets them try being scary, and friendly.

What they're learning

Drawing a face

Eyes, nose and mouth placed on a circle.

Snipping a fringe

Short snips along a strip for spiky hair.

Trying on a feeling

Scary for a roar, friendly for a hello.

What to look for

Notice them adding the parts of a face in their own order.

A tip

You cut the eye holes; they snip the hair with child scissors, with you right beside them.

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