Making a wig from cotton wool balls and a few other inexpensive materials makes a great craft project for kids. It's a good President's Day activity for elementary school classes as well, and it takes only one afternoon to execute. With a paper grocery bag, some cotton balls and a little glue, children can have fun making the wig, and then they can use their imagination as they wear it. Teachers can instruct the kids to act out short skits with the wigs pretending to be George Washington or other Founding Fathers.

  • Making a wig from cotton wool balls and a few other inexpensive materials makes a great craft project for kids.
  • With a paper grocery bag, some cotton balls and a little glue, children can have fun making the wig, and then they can use their imagination as they wear it.

Cut out a wig shape from the paper bag. The bottom of the bag will become the top of the wig.

Brush the glue on one section of the paper bag. Press cotton wool balls in rows to the glue to attach them to the bag. Glue and cover another section then another until the bag is completely covered by cotton wool.

Allow the glue to totally dry. Now the wig is ready to wear.

TIP

Paint the paper bag white before gluing so that if any bag shows through the cotton balls later, the white surface will blend in with the cotton. Cut an extra strip on the paper bag at the back and add two rows of two cotton balls each to the back of the wig. Place a small black bow at the top of these two rows to make a "George Washington" wig. Try making the wig with a plastic shower cap for a different wig design. Brush on glue, cover with cotton wool and let dry before wearing. Use coloured cotton balls instead of white ones to make a clown wig.

WARNING

Make sure all the glue is dry before you wear the wig. Otherwise the glue may soak through the bag causing glue to get into your hair.