Cover the table with newspapers and set out the mask-making materials.
Provide a Halloween mask for each child to use as a template for the papier-mache mask.
Mix equal parts of glue and water, for example, 1 cup of glue to 1 cup of water.
Tear 8-inch long strips of newspaper for papier-mache. Make 1/2-inch-wide strips for older kids to use and 1-inch wide strips for younger kids.
Dip a strip of newspaper into the papier-mache glue mixture. Pull the strip between the fingers of your other hand to squeeze off extra glue.
Press the paper strip across the top of the mask template from one side to the other.
Create a thin layer of paper strips from the top of the mask to the bottom. Help the children keep the strips in a thin layer so that the paper overlaps one-eighth to one-fourth of an inch. A common problem for kids in papier-mache making is creating thick layers of paper, which take a long time to dry.
Let the masks dry for a half hour. They may dry faster outside or on a sunny window sill. The drying time provides an opportunity to talk about masks and look at pictures of masks to help each kid select the character, animal or abstract decoration they want to make their mask into.
Add another layer of papier-mache, this time placing the strips from top to bottom of the mask shape. For example, the strip starts at the edge of the mask at the hairline and extends to the chin. Press the paper strips against the contours of the mask so the papier-mache mask will have the same shape. Let the masks dry for a half hour.
Tear white paper from one side to the other across the width of the paper to make papier-mache strips for the top layer of the mask. White paper takes paint more effectively than newspaper. Let the masks dry for a half hour or as long as necessary so that the surface feels dry, not sticky, to the touch.
Draw the mask's design on the white papier-mache mask in pencil. For example, draw eyebrows, thick lines around the eyes, eyelashes and a large mouth. For a mask based on a specific character or a mask making tradition from another culture, show the kids a picture, pointing out the main features, and have the kids copy the features onto their own masks.
Choose paint colors for the masks. Paint the background color or colors in a thin coat on the mask. Allow the background paint color to dry--the drying time varies depending on the type of paint and how thickly it is applied.
Finish painting the masks by adding the features with fine paint brushes. Let the masks dry completely, until they feel dry to the touch.
Cut out the eyes and add a slit or small holes at the mouth and nose to make breathing in the mask comfortable.
Let the kids wear the masks attached to the Halloween masks, and have them tell a story as the character of the mask they are wearing.