How to Build a Parade Float With Papier Mache

- Newspaper

- Flour

- Water

- Balloons

- Chicken wire

- Duct tape

- Paint

- Paintbrushes

- Clear varnish

- Decorations

Instructions:

1. Make the papier mache paste. Mix equal parts flour and water until you have a smooth, consistency.

2. Blow up the balloons. The balloons will serve as the base for your float. Blow them up to different sizes to create a variety of shapes and heights.

3. Cover the balloons with newspaper. Dip strips of newspaper into the papier mache paste and then apply them to the balloons, overlapping each strip slightly. Repeat this process until the balloons are completely covered with at least 3 layers of newspaper.

4. Let the papier mache dry completely. This may take several hours or overnight.

5. Pop the balloons. Once the papier mache is dry, pop the balloons and remove them from the inside of the floats.

6. Attach the chicken wire. Use duct tape to attach chicken wire to the papier mache floats. This will help to support the structure and prevent it from collapsing.

7. Paint the floats. Use paint and paintbrushes to paint the floats any colors you like. Let the paint dry completely.

8. Apply clear varnish. Apply a coat of clear varnish to the floats to protect the paint and make them waterproof.

9. Add decorations. Use any decorations you like to personalize your floats. You can add streamers, balloons, flowers, or anything else you can think of.

Tips:

* To make the papier mache paste, you can also use wheat flour or cornstarch instead of all-purpose flour.

* If you don't have any balloons, you can also use cardboard boxes or other materials to create the base for your floats.

* Be creative with your decorations! There are no limits to what you can do with these floats.