Foam Masks

Crafting together has mental health benefits for kids individually & benefits the parent/child relationship, as well. For a child, making a project like this one can be gratifying & build self-esteem. Working alongside their caregiver, they feel connected & appreciated, especially when they don’t feel pressured to do things exactly “right”. As they work together, they can have healthy conversations about anything – even those difficult topics that might otherwise be hard to discuss.
https://www.onoursleeves.org/mental-wellness-tools-guides/conversation-starters


​SUPPLIES & TOOLS:

• Black foam craft masks with elastic
• White foam craft masks with elastic
• 2mm thick foam sheets [multicolor packs and peel and stick options are available]
• Scissors
• X-Acto® knife & cutting surface [optional]
• Tacky glue
• Masking tape or painter’s tape [optional]

DIRECTIONS:

1. This project creates up to five foam masks. Choose your favorite design or make more than one.
2. Print the patterns provided. using scissors, cut out shapes individually and decide which color you are using for each shape.
3. These patterns are now ready to use as templates—trace and cut shapes from foam sheets. Use masking tape or painter’s tape to temporarily attach templates to foam if you prefer to cut without tracing.
4. To cut shapes with internal holes, like eyes, gently fold the foam and snip a starter cut.
5. Add the foam pieces to the mask using tacky glue if your foam is not peel and stick. If you are crafting with adhesive foam, simply peel and stick foam shapes to attach.
6. When crafting the lion, untie and remove elastic before adding mane and face. When done crafting, use a pencil or other sharp point to re-punch the holes and feed the elastic back through.
7. Roar!

JOANN HACKS:

• An X-Acto knife is excellent for cutting 2mm foam if the crafter has an adult helper.
• Tracing template shapes on the foam can leave pencil marks. Outline the shapes on the foam’s reverse side for a cleaner look.
• Tacky glue is kid-friendly but takes time to dry on foam.
• When using peel and stick foam, be conscious of adhesive that may come in contact with a child’s skin or hair. You don’t have to peel the entire backing off. Gently score the backing and peel off only the area that is sticking to other foam.