This styrofoam head self-portrait craft is a creative and memorable art activity for kids to make in art class, at craft camp, or during a fun crafting session with friends. Using paint, yarn, ribbons, and craft jewels, children can turn a plain foam mannequin head into a personalized self-portrait that can hold hats, hairbands, sunglasses, jewelry, or simply sit on a bedroom shelf as a unique piece of handmade art.
Every so often, a kids’ craft idea comes along that feels like it is going to be a hit before the project even begins. That was exactly the case with these styrofoam head self-portraits. The children were instantly curious when they saw the foam heads waiting on the craft table, and their excitement only grew as they began painting, decorating, and transforming them into mini versions of themselves.
At the end of the Halloween season, I found a bin of white styrofoam mannequin heads at a thrift store and picked up several. I was not completely sure how we would use them at first, but I knew the children would be eager to create something with such an unusual craft supply.
A styrofoam head is not something kids see on the craft table every day, and that alone makes it exciting. I considered a few different ideas, including turning them into clowns or spooky Halloween characters, but a much better idea came to mind.
Self-portraits!
When the kids arrived and saw the heads lined up, they immediately wanted to know what we were making. I asked how they felt about creating self-portraits, and the answer was an enthusiastic yes.
This project turned out to be a huge success. From start to finish, the children spent a couple of hours working on their styrofoam head self-portraits. They painted faces, added yarn hair, styled it, and finished everything with ribbons and sparkly details. Several of them said it was one of the coolest crafts they had ever made.
It was wonderful to watch plain white foam wig forms become colorful, expressive works of art. Each child approached the project in a different way, and each finished piece reflected that child’s personality, style, and imagination.
This styrofoam head self-portrait craft would be a great project for an elementary art class, a summer craft camp, a birthday party activity, or an afternoon art project at home. It works well for children who enjoy painting, decorating, and making something they can actually use after the craft is finished.
Before beginning the craft, you will need to find foam mannequin heads. They are often available in craft stores, beauty supply stores, online marketplaces, thrift stores, and seasonal Halloween sections. Prices and styles can vary, so it is worth looking around if you need several for a group activity.
Where to buy styrofoam heads:
Styrofoam heads are commonly sold as wig stands or foam mannequin heads. You may find female and male styles, as well as different sizes and face shapes. Craft stores often carry them year-round, and beauty supply shops may stock them for displaying or storing wigs.
During the Halloween season, stores that sell costumes, masks, and decorations may also carry foam heads. Thrift stores can be another good place to check, especially after seasonal displays are cleared out.
If you are preparing this activity for a classroom or craft group, try to gather the heads ahead of time so each child has one to decorate. Once you have the supplies ready, the process is simple, creative, and very engaging.
Supplies for our styrofoam head self-portrait craft:
- styrofoam head
- skin-toned craft paint
- various colours of paint for eyes, cheeks, mouth, and details
- paint brushes in different widths
- yarn
- ribbons
- craft gems and jewels
- glue
- scissors
Making our styrofoam head self-portraits:
The children began by painting their styrofoam heads with skin-toned acrylic craft paint. This first step immediately made the white mannequin heads look more realistic and gave the children a base for adding facial features.
Once the base coat was finished, the most exciting part began: painting the faces. The children thought carefully about their eye colour, eyebrows, mouths, cheeks, freckles, and other details that would make each self-portrait special.
Most of the kids started with the eyes. They painted the whites of the eyes first, then added coloured pupils. Fine brushes were useful for outlining the eyes and adding eyebrows. This step made a big difference because the faces suddenly began to look full of character.
Next, they painted mouths using shades of pink, red, coral, and other colours. Some children added rosy cheeks, freckles, beauty marks, or extra touches that made their self-portraits feel even more personal.
After the faces were painted, the children moved on to the hair. This part took the longest, but it was also one of the most enjoyable steps in the entire project.
The kids searched through the yarn and chose colours that matched their own hair or added fun highlights. Some selected realistic shades, while others included bright, playful colours to make their self-portraits stand out.
They cut the yarn into long strands and glued it onto the heads. Some children glued the yarn in small bunches, while others carefully attached individual strands one at a time. Either method worked well, and both created interesting textures and hairstyles.
Once the yarn hair was attached, the children trimmed and styled it. This was a favorite part of the craft because it felt like giving a real haircut. They evened out the ends, shaped bangs, made ponytails, and arranged the yarn into styles that suited their self-portraits.
To finish their styrofoam head self-portraits, the children added decorative details. They used craft gems and jewels for earrings, necklaces, or sparkly accents. Ribbons became scarves, headbands, bows, and accessories.
The finished results were fantastic. Each foam head had its own personality, and every child was proud of what they had created.
When I asked what they planned to do with their styrofoam head self-portraits at home, the kids had lots of practical and creative ideas. One wanted to use hers as a hat stand for ball caps and sun hats. Another planned to store hair bands on it. Someone else wanted to use it for sunglasses, while another child decided to display it on a dresser as bedroom decor.
That is one of the best things about this self-portrait craft for kids. It is not only fun to make, but it can also be used afterward. A decorated foam head can hold accessories, organize small items, or become a special handmade keepsake.
This project is a wonderful way for children to explore identity, creativity, painting, texture, and design. It encourages them to notice details about themselves and turn those details into art. With a few simple supplies, a plain styrofoam head can become a personalized self-portrait that kids will be excited to show off.
For more fun self-portrait crafts for kids, try:
Cereal Box Self-Portraits
Paper Plate Self-Portraits
Nature Faces