This DIY party favor and fun dress-up set is so adorable that I wanted one for myself! Send your party guests home with a favor they are sure to love. Be sure to download the Free Koala Mask and Headbnad Printable here!
First, print and cut out the provided template. Download the free Koala Mask and Headband Printable here. Next, trace the mask shape and the 2 ear shapes onto gray felt. I used a sharpie to trace the outline. Cut these shapes out. You will have one gray mask and 2 ears.
Next, trace the nose shape onto black felt using a chalk pen. Then, cut the nose out. Re-use the ear shape template and trace the ears onto pastel paper, these will become the backs of the ears.
Next, fold the face mask in half and then in half again. The inside fold is where the eye holes will be. Make a small cut through the layers of felt to create a starting hole for the eyes.
Unfold the mask and using the scissors, complete the eye holes - making the holes wider and rounder.
Lastly, using a hole punch, make a hole on each side of the mask for the elastic.
Using a hot glue gun, glue the black felt nose to the bottom of the mask, centering it between the eyes. Thread the elastic through the holes and tie securely.
To finish the ears, glue a paper ear shape to the back of each gray felt ear.
Hot glue the completed ears to the headband. The template provides a longer strip at the bottom of the ear. This strip is enough to glue the ear to the top and bottom of the headband. Start adhering underneath and fold over the top, gluing in place at the top.
Tip: Ensure the felt is facing down onto the child's head, not the paper. This is softer and more comfortable.
Now you can add fur to the inside of the ears. Cut a small square of fur trim (approx 1" square) then glue the fur to the felt side of the ears in the center, down at the bottom closest to the headband.
To make the paper bow, cut a length of pastel paper (approx 1.5" by 4") and fan fold the paper to approx .25" width. Pinch the middle of the fold and wrap a length of washi tape around the center of the folded paper. Fan out each side to create a bow shape.
Finally, glue the bow at the bottom of one of the ears, directly onto the headband. The koala mask and ears are now ready to be enjoyed! Place each mask and ear set next to a place setting. When the kids arrive let them enjoy dressing up as koala bears, it is truly magical!
Be sure to check out my Pastel Koala Birthday Partyfor more koala party ideas and inspiration as well as a tutorial to make a Koala Hanging Hoop Decoration and a recipe for Koala Marshmallow Pops
Photography: Photography Hill