Help Please - Arts & Craft - Apply Something Around a Balloon & Sets as a Hard Plastic/Rubber

cypher67 on 17/12/2015 - 13:08
Last edited 17/12/2015 - 13:09

Hi All,

Turning to my brains trust as I have run out to ideas.

My 4 y/o son has been watching these youtube videos (search Giant Octonaut egg) where kids have these massive kindersurprise like eggs full of toys and is insisting that he receive one for Xmas; before understanding the magnitude of what he asked I promised it.

I have searched high and low over the internet for a plastic egg (around 1m tall) and there is nothing.

So I figured I would just make one, so I bought a bunch of giant balloons from eBay and now trying to find the best product to apply around it to give a solid structure that I can cut into to fill it with the toys. The best I have seen is a product called StyroSpray 1000 which is used in Australia as a Ute liner (speedliner), but no where sells it separately, you have to get them to do it for you $$$. Considered a simple paper mache, but was concerned of its structural integrity once I cut into it.

Does anyone have any ideas on a product readily available from say Bunnings or a Craft store that I can get to make this animal a reality?

General Discussion

Comments

  • hellbound on 17/12/2015 - 14:10

    Wonderflex is used to make armour for cosplay outfits and would work well, not sure where to source it though.
    Otherwise I would just go the paper mache route, after you sand and lacquer the outside it should be plenty sturdy enough

    • cypher67 on 17/12/2015 - 14:17

      That wonderflex looks amazing, however considering the size of what I am doing and the cost, this wouldn't be a viable option. But thanks for your input.

  • JoFord63 on 17/12/2015 - 14:25
    • A giant paper mache egg should keep it's shape when cut as long as you've used enough layers to make the shell thick enough.

    For a more solid egg …

    • Look in the kitchenware section of Spotlight, Big W, KMart, Target, $2 shops etc for cheap large plastic salad bowls. Buy one for the top and one for the bottom of the egg. Use some cardboard to make the middle and tape the bowls to each end, for a quick and easy way to start your egg (vs using a giant balloon).

    Other ideas …

    • make two half eggs, fill with toys, place top on bottom, then lightly glue paper around the middle join to make something that your son can easily pull off to open the egg.

    • Use the advent calendar idea and pre-cut little doors he can easily open. Or pre-cut holes and paste just one layer of paper over them, so that he can "punch" the egg open. (Decorate the papered-over holes so it's easy for him to see where to punch.)

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