Crafting Your Own Space Helmet

Buzz

Content

Prepare for Lift-Off

Constructing a Space Helmet from a Paper Bag

Create a Space Helmet Using Papier Mâché

Crafting a Space Helmet Using a Plastic Bucket

Creating a Transparent Plastic Space Helmet

Helpful Tips

Warnings

Materials Needed

Create a Paper Bag Helmet

Make a Papier Mache Helmet

Instructions for Plastic Bucket Helmet

Directions for Clear Plastic Space Helmet

Let your imagination take flight as you fashion your very own space helmet costume. Crafting one is a breeze, requiring just a handful of common household items.

Prepare for Lift-Off

Constructing a Space Helmet from a Paper Bag

Sketch a generous circle onto a paper grocery bag. This circle should match the size of your face, if not slightly larger. Position it over your face, ensuring accuracy by tracing around your face while the bag is in place.

Cut out this circular shape.

Trace the end of a paper towel tube onto an oatmeal box lid. Place one paper towel tube end in the center of each oatmeal box lid. Use a marker to trace around the tube's shape.

Repeat this process for the second oatmeal box lid.
You can choose to keep or remove the lids for this step. However, remember to temporarily take off the lids when cutting out the circles.

Remove the circular cutouts. Utilize scissors to cut out the two traced circles from each lid. Afterwards, reattach the lids onto their respective containers.

You may find it helpful to use a nail or the sharp end of your scissors to make a starting hole along the circle's outline. Once a starting point is created, insert the scissors and cut along the outline as usual.

Secure the boxes onto your paper bag. Arrange the oatmeal boxes side by side at the back (uncut) part of the paper bag, near the bottom. Use tape or staples to firmly attach these boxes to the bag.

Ensure that the lidded sides of the oatmeal boxes are facing upwards.
The bottom of each oatmeal box should extend beyond the paper bag's bottom. Adjust the extension as needed, but ensure they are positioned high enough on the bag for secure attachment.

Insert the paper towel tubes. Slide one end of a paper towel tube through the top opening of each oatmeal box. Secure the top of the tube to the paper bag using tape or staples.

Repeat this process for the second paper towel tube and oatmeal box.
These cardboard tubes should resemble oxygen tank hoses, while the oatmeal boxes should resemble oxygen tanks.

Add your personal touch to the helmet. Use markers, crayons, or colored pencils to embellish and color the helmet in any way you prefer.

You can also think about enhancing the helmet with lightweight decorations, such as stickers or shapes made from aluminum foil.

Put on your space helmet. Your space helmet should now be ready to wear. Place the bag over your head with the hole in the front and the oatmeal boxes at the back.

Create a Space Helmet Using Papier Mâché

Inflate a balloon. Blow up a regular balloon until it's slightly larger than the size of your head. Tie the end of the balloon securely.

Rip newspaper into strips. Take five large sheets of newspaper and tear them into strips approximately 2 to 3 inches (5 to 7.6 cm) wide.

Prepare the paper mâché paste. If you haven't already, make the paper mâché paste.

Mix 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of corn flour with 1 quart (1 liter) of boiling water, stirring until a paste forms.

Protect your work area. Before starting to apply newspaper to the paste and balloon, prepare a space for work. Paper mâché can be messy, so lay down a plastic tablecloth or old newspapers on the floor or table to catch any drips.

Affix the newspaper strips to the balloon.

Cover the entire balloon except for a small area near the tied end. Leave this part open so you can remove the balloon later.

Allow to dry. Place the paper mâché structure in a dry, draft-free area. Let it dry undisturbed for approximately 24 hours, or until the surface is completely dry to the touch.

The paste must be completely dry before proceeding beyond this step.
Drying time may vary based on your climate. Dry conditions will speed up drying, while humid conditions may require more than 24 hours.

Release the balloon. Insert a pin through the opening you left at the base of the paper mâché to pop the balloon. Once popped, gently pull the balloon out through the gap.

Shape the paper mâché structure into a helmet form.

Starting from the bottom, carve out a rectangle at the front of the structure. This rectangle should match the width between the outer edges of your eyes and be approximately the same length as the distance from your forehead to your chin.

Customize the helmet with paint. Use paint and a brush to embellish the helmet as desired. You can also enhance it with foil shapes or stickers with a space theme.

Consider adding antennae as well. Make two small holes near the top edges of the helmet—one on each side. Insert a pipe cleaner into each hole and secure the ends inside the helmet with tape. Optionally, attach a bead to the top of each pipe cleaner for an antenna look.

Put on your newly decorated space helmet. Once you've finished decorating the helmet to your liking, it's ready to wear.

Crafting a Space Helmet Using a Plastic Bucket

Sketch an oval shape on a large plastic bucket. The oval should measure at least 7 inches (17.8 cm) in width by 5 inches (12.7 cm) in height, or large enough for your face to be visible from the inside. Outline it with a pencil.

Ensure the hole aligns with your face when you wear the bucket. Hold the bucket upside-down with the bottom even to the top of your head. Mark the points aligned with your eyebrows and bottom lip. Use these marks to draw your oval.

Create a starting hole along the outlined oval. Place the tip of a nail along the oval outline. Use a hammer to gently tap the nail into the bucket to create a hole.

Once the hole is made, remove the nail.

Use wire cutters to carefully remove the oval shape.

If the edge appears rough or potentially hazardous, cover it with strips of white duct tape.

Make two foam helmet supports. Measure and cut two rectangular pieces, each measuring 2 inches by 9 inches (5.1 cm by 22.9 cm), from a large sheet of white foam board. Round off the lower corners of both rectangles using a craft knife.

Position the foam rectangles toward the back of the helmet. When you put the helmet on, these braces should fit just behind your shoulders and onto your upper back, helping to keep the helmet steady.

Secure the foam to the bucket. Use white duct tape to affix the top of each foam rectangle to the inside of the helmet.

Ensure both rectangles are placed toward the back of the helmet. When you wear the helmet, they should sit just behind your shoulders on your upper back, acting as supportive braces.

Wrap a dish towel around your head.

Fasten the towel inside the helmet. Use additional duct tape to attach the towel ring to the inner top of the bucket. Align the center of the ring with the center of the bucket.

Put on the space helmet. Slide the helmet onto your head with the opening facing your face. The towel ring should rest on your head, and the foam braces should sit behind your shoulders. If the helmet feels secure and comfortable, it's ready to wear.

Creating a Transparent Plastic Space Helmet

Assemble your antenna.

Build the antenna's base. Utilize a dome-shaped plastic lid from a milkshake or similar frozen drink. Locate a small wooden circle that fits over the lid's top opening. Apply a ring of hot glue to the lid's top opening and press the wooden circle onto the glue.

Affix the antenna.

Apply spray paint to the entire antenna structure.

Painting the inside of the base is unnecessary.

Ensure the paint is fully dry. This may require 12 to 24 hours, depending on the type of paint and environmental conditions.

Secure the antenna assembly to a large clear plastic container. Locate a clear plastic container that comfortably fits over your head. Invert the container and position the antenna base's bottom at its center, then glue it in place.

An old container once used for cheese puffs or cheese balls is typically suitable. Regardless of the container type, ensure your head can fit inside and the opening is sufficiently large. If too small, the helmet may become stuck or restrict airflow severely.

Adorn the bottom with gold ribbon. Cut a piece of metallic gold ribbon long enough to encircle the container. Use hot glue to attach the ribbon to the container, keeping it approximately 1 inch (2.5 cm) from the opening.

Ensure the ribbon is positioned close to the container's opening.

Cut a piece of tubing to the appropriate length. Measure a length of flexible tubing that fits around the container's opening. Trim the tubing to size using sharp scissors or a knife.

Opt for black flex tubing with a diameter of around 1 inch (2.5 cm).

Secure the tubing. Apply a generous amount of hot glue around the container's opening. Press the tubing into the glue, wrapping it around the opening until the ends meet.