Make a Friendly Handheld Cow Mask
By ColorWillow
This is a pretend-play paper prop to hold beside your face. It is not worn over the face: keep your eyes, nose and mouth clear, and keep the cow’s printed eyes as part of the picture.
Print the project sheets
Choose the paper size loaded in your printer. Print at actual size (100%) so the pieces match the measurements in this guide.
What you will need
- The cow craft sheet in A4 or US Letter, printed on matching paper
- Colored pencils or crayons
- Thin card, a glue stick and tape
- A ruler and child-appropriate scissors with adult help
Print and color the cow
Print the craft sheet at 100% or Actual size and check the 50 mm line. Color the cow’s head, ears and horns while the paper is flat. The source is a whole-cow coloring page, not a fitted mask template.
Let an adult mark a broad head shape
Ask an adult to draw a simple outline around the head, both ears and both horns, with about 5 mm of white paper outside the drawing. Join the lower edge below the chin and above the body. Keep the ears and horns inside a broad, sturdy paper border; do not cut every small gap.
Cut and add a backing
An adult helps cut the broad outline. Glue it onto thin card, let it dry, then trim the card to the same shape. Leave the printed eyes, nose and smile intact. Do not cut eye holes or add a neck cord, elastic or straps.
Make a wide paper handle
Cut a separate rectangle of thin card about 4 by 15 cm, with adult help. Tape its upper 5 cm securely to the back of the cow’s lower edge, leaving about 10 cm to hold. Cover the taped join with another piece of tape so no loose edge sticks out.
Hold the cow beside your face
Hold the handle below the picture and keep the cow beside your cheek, away from your eyes, nose and mouth. Stay still when using the prop and put it down before walking or running. If it feels floppy, show it on a table instead.
Try a short farm conversation
One person can speak for the cow while another replies. A wave, a moo or pointing at the picture can be part of the conversation. Put the prop away if any card or tape comes loose.