Make a frog mask and simple costume from paper, paint, and elastic to 'turn' a friend into a frog while practicing role-play and storytelling.



Step-by-step guide to turn someone into a frog
Step 1
Lay all your materials out on a clean table so you can see everything.
Step 2
Wrap the elastic band gently around your friend's head and pinch where it feels snug to mark the right length.
Step 3
Cut the elastic at the mark leaving about one extra inch for tying.
Step 4
Fold a sheet of construction paper in half and draw a big frog head shape across the fold.
Step 5
Cut out the folded frog head so the mask is the same on both sides.
Step 6
Paint the front of the mask green and wait until the paint dries completely.
Step 7
Use colouring materials to draw big eyes spots and a smiling mouth on the dry mask.
Step 8
Make a small hole on the left side and a small hole on the right side of the mask where the elastic will go.
Step 9
Thread one end of the elastic through the left hole and tie a small knot to secure it.
Step 10
Thread the other end of the elastic through the right hole and tie a small knot to secure it.
Step 11
Draw and cut an oval belly from another piece of construction paper.
Step 12
Paint and decorate the paper belly with spots or a tongue and let it dry.
Step 13
Tape the paper belly to the front of your friend's shirt at the shoulders so it looks like a frog belly.
Step 14
Put the mask on your friend and use a fun voice to role-play turning them into a frog and tell a short frog story.
Step 15
Share your finished frog mask and costume on DIY.org.
Final steps
You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!


Help!?
What can I use if I don't have elastic bands or construction paper?
If you don't have elastic bands, use ribbon, shoelace, or a soft headband threaded through the mask holes, and if you lack construction paper use a paper plate, cereal-box cardboard, or folded printer paper for the mask and paper belly.
My mask holes tear or the elastic keeps pulling out—how can I fix that?
Before threading the elastic, reinforce each hole with a small piece of clear tape or a hole-reinforcer sticker and tie the knot over the tape, or use a hole punch and make the knot outside the taped area to stop tearing.
How can I adapt the steps for younger or older children?
For preschoolers, pre-cut the frog head and punch holes and let them paint and stick the belly with tape, while older kids can cut their own folded shape, decorate detailed eyes and spots, sew fabric straps instead of elastic, and write a longer frog story for role-play.
How can we extend or personalize the frog mask and costume after finishing the basic steps?
Glue on googly eyes to the painted mask, add glitter or textured paper to the belly, create a cardboard lily-pad prop for role-play, and record a short frog-story video to share on DIY.org.
Watch videos on how to turn someone into a frog
Facts about mask-making and costume crafts for kids
🧵 A small loop of elastic stretches to fit lots of head sizes, so one mask can work for many friends.
🎭 People have used masks for over 9,000 years to become different characters in ceremonies and stories.
📚 Pretend play and role-playing boost storytelling skills and help kids practice empathy and communication.
🐸 Some frogs can flick out their tongues to catch prey in less than a second — great for dramatic frog poses!
🎨 Tempera and poster paints dry quickly on paper, making them perfect for kid-friendly mask making.


Only $6.99 after trial. No credit card required