Kids love dressing up in costumes and exploring different pretend roles. Art supports them in letting their imaginations soar, and mask kits give them the opportunity to create wearable art, a tangible expression of their dreams. Masks are fun and easy to make, and once created, they’re great for make-believe play, a crucial part of social learning. With our favorite mask-making kits, reviewed below, the young people in your life will soon be building their own magical, creative world. They may never take these masks off!
1. Baker Ross Carnival Scratch Art Masks
This kit comes with masks in harlequin, butterfly, and other fanciful carnival-themed shapes, each one made with scratch paper: The surface starts out black, but vibrant technicolor hues reveal themselves as young artists scratch away at the dark coating using the included wooden sticks. This allows kids to create their own patterns rather than follow a pre-designed outline, and every scratch reveals a surprise. Held in place with included elastic string, the masks are comfortable to wear and stay secure on small faces.
2. Insoon Animal Masks for Kids
This kit gives very young artists the opportunity to create eight animal masks, including a rabbit, tiger, and owl. Each is very easy to assemble, requiring young ones to peel off and apply stickers to the correct parts of the precut paper masks. The colors are vibrant, and the precisely cut stickers make it easy to identify each component and position it accurately. This kit also comes with a clear instruction booklet and strong, elastic strings to thread through the paper to create one-size-fits-all masks. (SLUG FOR PRODUCT CARD) Sticker-centric, animal-themed kit.
3. A2Fun 3D Papercrafts Animal Headgear
Want a mask-making kit that offers a serious challenge? This one includes supplies to create a paper sculpture that completely covers the head. Suitable for young kids—although an adult might have to help—it comes with dozens of scored paper pieces that you have to fold, assemble, and glue together. The included instructions lay out the process in easy-to-follow steps, and the results form a geometric head that fits on children. Choose from different creatures, from an akita to a unicorn to an elephant. Note that the paper is white so kids can decorate as they wish. Supply your own glue and coloring materials.
4. Fun Express Superhero Masks Craft Kit
It’s a challenge to keep youngsters engaged in art making, and art educators seek projects that will appeal to students of all ages and backgrounds. Well, what kid doesn’t enjoy designing his or her own superhero? This engaging kit includes materials for 24 superhero masks, perfect for group art making—and tight budgets, considering each mask costs about 50 cents. The kit includes premium foam bases and self-adhesive foam embellishments, plus lengths of elastic to keep the masks in place. Young artists can also draw on the masks using markers or crayons. If foam shapes are left over, these can be used for future craft projects.
5. Melissa & Doug Princess Collection Paper Craft Kit
Enter the magical world of princesses with Melissa & Doug’s kit. The kit features glittery bases for two fanciful masks, two tiaras, two wands, and two purses, plus plenty of precut premium cardstock shapes, gem stickers, and glitter stickers to decorate them with. No glue is needed: Sticky foam squares allow kids four and up to easily add embellishments to their masks and accessories. The sticky squares add dimension, making these creations really pop. Made from heavy-duty paper, they are durable enough to last several play sessions.
Source: The Best Kids’ Mask-Making Kits for Imaginative Dress-Up