How To… Make a paper mache hot air balloon

1. Get: a balloon, newspaper, flour, water, scissors, bowl and other random kitchen items as and when.

TIP: Leave doors open in case you need to get into kitchen and have paper mache over hands.

2. Cut strips of newspaper – one Metro will be more than enough.

3. Make paper mache. You can do this with one part flour to two parts water. Or, keep going until you have a gluey substance.

4. Blow up balloon.

5. Dip paper strips into paste and layer across balloon. It can be useful to peg it upside down to layer bottom of balloon.

6. Once covered leave to dry. This can take several days to become very hard and dry. When dry pop or cut the balloon and pull out.

7. Cut a clean edge around the bottom hole of balloon then paint it. If you can be bothered, paint a white layer first to give a clean base coat.

8. Make a small hole at the top of balloon and thread  a pipe cleaner with a knotted end through to create a hook.

9. Make a basket from a box and attach to balloon using string or pipe cleaners.

10. Job done.