The Money is in the Bank

One of the things Grandparents need to do is teach the grandchildren how to save money.  A good way to do that is give them a piggy bank.  Here is a paper mache tutorial on how to make their own.  Depending on the age of the child(ren) they can make it all themselves or you can help them.  My granddaughter is almost 2 and my grandson is less than six months old.  I’ll be making N’s bank for him.  I’m going to make most of E’s bank and have her put the finishing touches on with Mod Podge and fabric scraps.

Materials

9 inch round balloon

Newspaper for tearing up

Paper egg carton

Masking tape

Flour

Water

Fabric scraps cut up into small pieces

1 pipe cleaner

Mod Podge, glossy

Bowl (for mixing the paste)

Directions:

1.  Make the paper mache paste by mixing the flour and water.  I’m not sure of     the exact measurements but it should be the consistency of thin pancake batter.  Start with equal parts of flour and water.

2.   Blow up the balloon and tear the newspaper into strips.

3.   Dip each strip in the paste and cover the balloon completely. Let dry completely then put 3 more layers on, letting it dry between each layer.

The Body

4.     After the last layer is dry cut the egg carton into sections.  You need 4 legs, a snout and 2 ears.  The legs and  snouts are made out of the cups where the eggs sit.  The ears can be cut from the corners of the top of the carton.

        

5.  Make more paste, tear more paper, paper mache over and around all the new parts, covering the whole kit and caboodle.  It should be looking like a pig around now.  Let it dry completely then put one last layer on all over making sure to keep the general pig shape.

6.  When the pig is dry, use an exacto knife to cut the money slot in the top and cut an X on the back for a place to put the tail.

7.  Use the pipe cleaner to make the tail.  Wind the pipe cleaner around your finger to curl it.  Poke one end into the X you cut with the knife.

8.  Use the Mod Podge to attach the fabric scraps.  Put some Mod Podge on the pig, place the fabric on top, then cover the fabric with Mod Podge.  Be sure not to cover the slot for the money.  Be sure to secure the tail in well with the Mod Podge and fabric.  Let dry completely.

VOILA!

College, here we come!

What have you created today?