If you’re looking for a Paper Mache lesson idea that goes beyond the boring and usual…. you’ve found it!
In this fun and not-so messy project, students will use plastic bowls as hump molds… but they are required to break free from the slumpy-dumpy boring bowl shape and build on… creating one-of-a-kind sculptural pieces by adding imaginative details.
NOTE: If I were you I would refrain from calling it a HUMP mold in front of students. Just saying.
So, grab a few boxes of your hoarded Elmer’s Art Paste (Don’t have any more? Check out my blog post about Elmer’s Art Paste alternatives here!) and let’s get started!
Can’t find newspapers anymore? I’ve stopped using them for paper mache! Guess what I use instead? I go to the teacher’s workroom or the computer printing lab for students and find the recycle bin that’s full of old, misprinted worksheet and the weird stuff that unsupervised students print out. We just use that and it works great! It’s also a great tie-in for Earth Day since just about everything on these bowls comes from recycled materials!
You’re gonna love this Paper Mache lesson idea when you see students really thinking and building creatively!
Why Make These Paper Mache Bowls?
Paper Mache is fantastic medium for Art Education because:
✅ It’s cheap (just mostly recycled paper and paste … the broke art teacher’s dream).
✅ It’s hands-on. A great project to get students involved with their hands dirty so they can’t touch their phones!
✅ It allows for big, sculptural creativity without needing expensive materials.
And bowls? Well, they’re the perfect functional base for all kinds of creative add-ons, from tentacle-covered sea monster bowls, to fruit bowls or just beautiful non-objective sculptural bowls. This lesson is all about encouraging students to think beyond “just a bowl” and create something truly unique.
Materials Needed
Note: This post contains affiliate Amazon links.
- Plastic bowls (one per student, used as a hump mold)
- Plastic bowls for Paste for Student Use (I used THESE from Walmart, but something like THESE from Amazon would work too.)
- 1 or 2 Large Bowls for Mixing Paste (I actually use a large *unused* litter box!)
- Utensils (a rubber spatula is handy) for stirring/serving the paste (I use an old coffee mug to dispense from a large bowl to smaller bowls for student use)
- Newspaper strips or old worksheets/misprints on copy paper, etc.
- Elmer’s Art Paste Alterative or a Homemade Paper mache paste (flour & water OR glue & water mix)
- Masking tape
- Cardboard, wire, foam sheets, tagboard, aluminum foil etc. (for extra sculptural elements)
- Small bottle caps, lids, paper cups, plastic bottles, old cereal boxes, etc. (also for extra sculptural elements)
- Colorful paper (construction paper works well) in solids or patterns for the finishing touch. These look amazing!
- OPTIONAL: Mod Podge, Acrylic Gloss Medium or clear sealant (note: these bowls are not food safe)
Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Paper Mache Bowls
Step 1: Show Example Photos
You could spend hours gathering example photos from the Interwebs to show students… ooooor you can download my free Powerpoint Presentation and it’s all done for you!! Keep reading, but you can find the link to download this at the bottom of this post.
Here are some examples of my students’ work:
Step 2: Sketch a Plan
Students will sketch the front, side (or back), top and bottom of their bowls. I have included a worksheet for this and it’s all in a Zipped folder with the PowerPoint (and PDF versions) of the Paper Mache Bowls Lesson. You can download it all at the bottom of this post.
Step 3: Prepping the Bowl Mold
Hand out plastic bowls and explain that these are just the starting point. If anyone stops at just making a plain bowl, they owe you a coffee (kidding… unless?). I’ve also heard you can cover the outside of the bowl with plastic wrap or a thin layer of petroleum jelly so the paper maché doesn’t stick but I’ve honestly never tried that. IDK if I want to make kids rub that all over a bowl. I definitely don’t want to demo it. :\
Step 4: Build the Base Layers
Dip newspaper strips into the paper maché paste (see my post about Elmer’s Art Paste alternatives) and start layering them over the outside of the plastic bowl. Make sure students apply at least 3 layers on the first day to be on their way to a sturdy final structure.
Continue adding layers. I usually do this for at least 2 class periods. Allow to dry. If the bowls are thick and sturdy, you should be able to remove the bowl mold at the beginning of the third day.
Step 5: Add the Extra!
Here’s where the real magic happens. Students must add sculptural elements to personalize their bowls. Encourage them to think outside the… well, bowl.
Ideas to suggest:
- Fantasy Bowls: Add dragon scales, unicorn horns, or a galaxy theme.
- Nature-Inspired: Create flower petals, vines, or leaves extending from the edges.
- Under the Sea: Tentacles, seashells, or waves for a deep-sea vibe.
- Funky & Abstract: Asymmetrical edges, geometric patterns, or surrealist designs.
Use cardboard, crumpled paper, or wire armatures to create sculptural add-ons before layering more paper mâché over them.
Step 6: Add some Color to Finish
You can opt for paint if you wish, but I choose to have students finish their bowls with a final layer of colorful, decorative and/or patterned papers. Painting the bowls always seems to take FOREVER and they waste so much of it trying to mix and match colors. Plus the last layer of color paper really makes the bowls sturdy and strong.
You could also choose to add a final coat of Mod Podge, Acrylic Gloss Medium or Clear Varnish. It will help protect the artwork, gives it a little shine, glues down any last little corners and make colors pop
Want to Add an Art History Tie-In?
To add an educational twist, discuss how bowls aren’t just kitchenware—they’re an ancient art form found in cultures around the world.
- Japanese Raku Bowls – Handmade pottery often used in tea ceremonies.
- Native American Pottery – Functional and decorative pieces with intricate patterns.
- Greek Pottery – Storytelling through painted vases and bowls.
Challenge students to incorporate influences from historical ceramic art into their designs!
Want to Add a Modern Art Tie-In?
Check out the work of Kay Sekimachi! She has beautiful skeletal leaf bowls and other bowls made of paper.
Lesson Objectives & Learning Outcomes
By the end of this paper mache bowl lesson, students will:
🎨 Understand how to use a mold to create a paper maché form.
🔨 Experiment with sculptural techniques to add dimension and interest to their work.
🌍 Optionally: Explore the role of bowls in art history and cultural traditions.
✨ Develop creativity by personalizing a functional object into a work of art.
Tips for Success
✔ Limit the mess – Have students work on plastic tablecloths, reusable drop cloths or kraft paper so they don’t make such a mess. I’ve found that we can recycle the brown kraft paper and reuse it throughout the week of paper mache.
✔ Encourage bold ideas – The crazier the concept, the better. Bowls with wings? Monster teeth? LED lights? Bring it on.
✔ Buy Supplies – You’ll need a large bowl or two for mixing the paste, several smaller bowls for student use and a couple of rubber spatulas. Plastic wrap works okay to cover the large bowls at the end of the day, but Glad Press and Seal works even better!
Final Thoughts: Why This Lesson Rocks
This paper mache bowl lesson is a perfect mix of structure and freedom—students start with a set form but get to take it in their own creative direction. Plus, it’s a low-cost, high-impact project that reinforces 3D thinking, problem-solving, and artistic exploration. It’s a great opportunity to get kids involved in something hands-on where they have to put down the cell phones and literally get their hands dirty.
So, ready to dive into some paper mache fun? Try this lesson in your classroom and watch your students turn simple bowls into masterpieces of sculptural genius… or at least some pretty interesting bowls.
Want to Download?
Click the button below to download the Paper Mache Bowls PowerPoint/PDF and the Sketch Worksheet page all in a Zipped folder!
