Space helmets help protect the human head from injury in certain situations. For example, they can be worn during spacewalks or when traveling to other planets where there is less gravity than on Earth. You may want to make a space helmet because you are doing tasks that simulate these conditions like having fun at home with balloons and ping pong balls!
Or maybe you just really enjoy dressing up for Halloween as your favorite outer-space character? Whatever your reason might be, this guide will show you how to make two different types of space helmets out of everyday items so let’s get started!
Experts will discuss the necessary materials and tools, as well as step-by-step instructions on how to assemble your DIY space helmet! You can use these skills in an arts and crafts project or for Halloween. So what are you waiting for? Get started today!
Table of Contents
How to Make a Space Helmet Using a Paper Bag: Step-by-Step Guide
1) Preparation. Gather the materials and tools you need to make a paper bag helmet. You will need the following items:
- a brown grocery bag/sack;
- scissors or X-Acto knife (to cut out eyeholes);
- clear tape;
- black permanent marker;
- white printer paper/card stock (for stars);
- ribbon;
2) Cut two eyeshades from your grocery sack. The shape should be slightly smaller than half of an inch by half of an inch rectangle with rounded corners – that is approximately one and a quarter inches wide. It’s okay if they end up being too small or large because we can always adjust them later on.
3) Draw stars on your paper. You can download and print out a star shape from the internet or draw them free-handed (it’s okay if they end up looking like blobs). They should be about one inch in diameter but you can make them smaller or larger depending on how large you want them to appear in relation to the helmet. Cut these shapes out so that they are separate pieces of white cardstock/paper, not connected by an adhesive material.
4) Place an eyeshade over each eye area and tape it down with clear tape along the top edge where it connects to the rest of the baggy part at forehead level. This is going to create a wide gap between your eyes and the eyeshades – it is going to be a good thing because you are going to want to use this space for the star cutouts.
5) Place your eyehole stencils over each of the bags, lining them up with where you plan on attaching them together so that they don’t get in your way when drawing stars or cutting out holes. Draw an outline around these shapes using a permanent black marker. Now remove the paper bag from under one of these stencils and place it directly underneath it before putting back into place (this will ensure that both eyes have matching outlines). Trace along all edges until you can see through into the area beneath — this should create two perfect half-circles that have a gap between them. Cut out these shapes so that you have two open eyes for your helmet.
6) Tape the cut eyeholes in place over each black outline, making sure to line up the edges of both bags evenly and adjust their positions until they are nice and symmetrical looking (use small pieces of tape along the outer edges if needed). Use a permanent marker along all inner rims where the paper meets paper — this will create a seal when you add your stars which is going to prevent any leaking or falling apart down the road!
7) Place your stencils over the top of each opened eye and tape them down in place. Draw your stars on either side, one for each open eye socket. Again, you can download a design online or draw free-handed but they should be about an inch to two inches in diameter or so depending on how large you want them to appear when completed!
8) Cut out both sets of star shapes that you just drew onto cardstock/paper (not connected by adhesive).
9) Glue one set of stars inside each open eye socket using white craft glue.
10) Using the ribbon, tie it around your helmet in a decorative fashion (you can add bows and such if desired). Make sure to tighten the strings tightly enough that they create some tension over the eyeholes when you try on your space helmet—this will help keep everything secure!
How to Make a Space Helmet Using Paper Mache: Step-by-Step Guide
1) Prepare the materials and mix the paper mache paste. You can use a balloon as a mold for paper mache paste or you can purchase an astronaut helmet paper mache kit.
2) Apply the paste to the balloon. Be sure to keep a layer of newspaper on top so your balloon doesn’t deflate as you apply! You can use a paintbrush or just roll it over with paper. Let dry overnight and turn inside out once dried. This step might take some time because paper mache paste takes around 24 hours to dry completely, depending on the humidity levels where you live. Plan by purchasing two balloons – one for each side of the helmet – that way if one is ruined while applying the paste, you have another chance at making this space helmet without having to start from scratch again.
3) Decorate your helmet with glitter and paint. Once thoroughly dry, decorate your space helmet with glitter and paint. Add finishing touches such as goggles or a visor using felt.
How to Make a Space Helmet Using a Plastic Bucket: Step-by-Step Guide
1) Preparation. If you have a plastic bucket, some tape, and a pair of scissors then you can create your space helmet!
2) Cut off the bottom part of the bucket. Then grab some masking or duct tape and cover every edge that will encounter your face. Make sure it doesn’t leave any gaps so you don’t feel any air from outside coming in when wearing it on top of an astronaut suit. Take care not to use too much tape as this makes for difficult breathing inside the helmet once placed over your head.
3) Attach pieces around the side that connect up at the back by cutting out holes for ventilation where needed before taping them together again making certain there are no ugly edges poking out anywhere near your face. Make sure you cover the top of the bucket with masking tape to add a nice finish and make it look more like an actual space helmet!
4) Decorate your space helmet. However, you want or simply leave as it is without any decals if going on a very important mission into outer space where there is need to be no distractions from looking at pretty things! Try adding plenty of duct tape around the edges, some shiny metallic foil paper in certain places.
DIY Space Helmet Ideas for Halloween or Cosplay
DIY LED Space Helmet
- You will need a helmet, paintbrush or sponge roller, and acrylic paints. Make sure to lay down some newspapers before starting your work;
- Apply two coats of black color all over the surface of the helmet;
- Then draw out different patterns using white colors with any sort of sponge tool that has been dipped in water first;
- Let it dry for 30 minutes then repeat these steps again but do not forget about coloring inside parts too! Let it stay overnight without touching it so that dampness can leave evenly through its cracks and crevices etc.,
- The next day you should use a thin coat brush with silver chrome spray paint on top of one small section at once (to avoid drips). Cover up every part, including the black surface. After letting it dry for 24 hours (or more, depending on how thick you’ve applied) dust off all over with a damp cotton T-shirt in circular motions and remove unwanted paint around eyeholes too with help of wet Q-tips or an old toothbrush if required;
- Use LED lights to make your helmet glow under dark light! For this purpose, you’ll need some batteries like AAA/AA, etc.;
DIY Dead Space Welding Helmet
- You will need a welding helmet, black spray paint (or any other color of your choice), and silver metallic spray paint;
- Turn the helmet upside down and start painting it with a black matte finish for base coats first;
- Once done let it dry out overnight then apply two to three light coatings of silver color all over its surface the next day morning letting each layer dry completely before applying more layers if desired;
- Then cut off the power cord from some old laptop batteries using a wire cutter tool leaving just about half an inch in length attached to the battery pack;
- You may also use some LEDs after inserting them into both ends of this positive lead by soldering their wires properly onto red (+) and black (-) points of the battery pack;
- Use a hot glue gun to attach them to your helmet with extra cushioning around LED bulbs for added protection;
You should also consider such DIY space helmet projects:
- DIY Cardboard Space Helmet;
- DIY Clear Plastic Helmet;
- DIY Lego Space Helmet;
- DIY Astronaut Helmet (the replica of a real NASA helmet);
Tips for Makers of DIY Space Helmets
- Use liquid latex to attach the pieces of foam. It is easy to work with and dries quickly. Liquid latex can be found at most art supply stores for about $20, which will give you plenty to make several helmets. Or use some kind of adhesive that works on rubber (contact cement or epoxy);
- Sand the foam pieces before gluing them on, and wear a dust mask when sanding polystyrene. It is not healthy to breathe in polystyrene particles;
- Make the faceplate out of lexan (plexiglass), which can be bought at most hardware stores for about $15. Lexan isn’t as easy to work with as plexiglass, but it’s much stronger and will prevent your head from exploding if you happen to drop your helmet on a hard surface like concrete or asphalt (not recommended);
- Wearing sunglasses inside your space helmet will help reduce fogging up due to sweat running down into the goggles. However, they should fit close enough so that you don’t see any light leaking through around the edges of the lenses. To prevent fogging up, soak some paper towels in water and place them on the inside of your faceplate before putting it up to your face;
- Use a foam hood and attach some kind of fabric cape with Velcro so that you can remove it if necessary (for example, during meals). This will provide both insulation and protection against small debris such as rocks or sticks hitting you in the back of the head while riding your motorcycle over bumpy terrain at high speeds (+100 mph). You may want to use something even more protective than this depending on how far away from civilization you plan to ride;
- For added comfort, buy two adult full-size bicycle helmets instead and cut holes around their edges using a hot wire cutter where needed. Then attach the rest of the pieces to them using either liquid latex or some other kind of adhesive;
FAQ
How to make a helmet from a camping mat?
A camping mat is recommended for making a helmet. It’s also reusable, durable, and waterproof.
Here is what you may do:
- You can cut it to fit your head size or you can use several mats to make the helmet big enough;
- Cut the mats so that they don’t overlap around your face but cover all of your head. If there are any holes in the middle area where you see through them sew over those areas with black duct tape (or similar);
- Attach some straps into the side openings of your DIY space helm; this way it will stay on even if not perfectly sized;
- To create an authentic look paint white dots onto the front part (and sides) like NASA astronauts helmets have;
- Once done put on goggles underneath to complete the look;
How to make a space helmet from a paper lantern?
Check the step-by-step guide:
- Find the perfect size of your head with measuring tape or string and mark it on top of the lantern;
- Cut out the marked shape carefully around its perimeter about an inch inwards for comfort purposes. Make sure that you will not cut through any part of the frame when cutting along this line (it’s okay if there are some tears);
- Place another sheet over what was already used as a template before putting duct tape all over it; although be careful not to cover up any parts where light needs to shine through. Be patient when doing this;
- Cut out a portion of the lantern where your face will be visible. Also, cut another hole for your eyes to see through;
- Take off all those duct tape pieces from around the edges! Start with ripping them off one by one using both hands while making sure not to damage anything underneath. When done correctly, what was once many small chunks can now be taken away in one big piece leaving only the design on top that is even better than before;
- Choose whether or not you want extra protection along its side borders (if so then feel free to pick some more duct tape up and adhere it down);
- After everything has been finished creating, you can now finally wear it around;
What is an astronaut helmet called?
A typical astronaut helmet, such as the ones worn in Apollo missions, is constructed of extremely durable polycarbonate [1]. It is called a spacesuit full-face helmet.
A Snoopy cap[2], a.k.a. a communication cap, is a part of a spacesuit worn by American astronauts. It’s located beneath the helmet and has an audio headset for talking. Polycarbonate is a high-impact-resistant polycarbonate that can also be found in bulletproof glass and vehicle exterior components.
How to make a Space X helmet:
- Get a large cardboard box. Cut it into two pieces, then glue them together to make the helmet;
- At this point, you will want to get a paper towel tube and cut around half of it off (giving yourself about an inch). The glue inside your cardboard leaving room for a strip of plastic from a grocery bag or something similar;
- Grab some duct tape and wrap it around the edge of your cardboard just past where the grocery bag ends. You can finish up by lining with foil on both sides if desired but that is not necessary in most cases;
- Once all these components are made you should have one outer piece, one inner piece, and one center support that holds everything together when worn properly;
- Once they’re ready simply put them on top of each other and slide them into the cardboard outer shell;
- Grab a simple lampshade from any craft store or even an old one that is sitting in your garage if you don’t feel like buying one just to take it apart afterward;
- Simply attach the plastic grocery bag strip around the edge of where both pieces come together using duct tape followed by wrapping foil on top of that entire area with another layer of duct tape for extra support and comfort;
How do you make a homemade space suit:
- You will need a trash bag, one gallon or larger. The bigger the better and you can always cut it down if needed. Also, take a silver/metallic duct tape. Other helpful materials – scissors, ruler, marker, and a pen for cutting out circles from the bottom of the trash bags so your head fits through;
- Take your trash bag and cut it down the side that has a handle on one end. Then, slip it over your head through the hole you have just made in step two – this part will be easier if it’s cold outside as the plastic won’t stretch as easily when heated up by our bodies;
- Cut out a circle from around where your face is so you can see better. When attaching to your suit use silver duct tape because it shows up well for pictures but any color should work fine (although darker colors might make seeing harder);
- If needed, use scissors or another tool to help push excess material away from where you need more room like underarms/thighs, then using duct tape attached along the edge of the cut you’ve made to limit how far it stretches. Repeat the previous step as needed until comfortable and able to move around easily inside your spacesuit;
- Cut a hole for your head/neck so that if need be, it’s easier to fit through a window or airlock by stepping over instead of crawling through small spaces on hands and knees. Mark where the opening is with a marker/pen then using scissors carefully start cutting along the line slowly while checking in the mirror once done – some trial and error might be needed for best results but there’s no reason why anyone shouldn’t look good enough wearing one of these!
Why do astronauts wear orange?
Astronauts wear an orange-colored Advanced Crew Escape Suit (ACES) as the space shuttle ascends or enters into space. The color “International Orange” was selected for visibility, as it stands out against any backdrop, especially in the sea [3].
Useful Video: How To Make A Space Helmet, DIY Astronaut Halloween Costume From Foam!
References:
- https://www.universetoday.com/38599/astronaut-helmet/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snoopy_cap
- https://www.industrytap.com/why-astronauts-sometimes-wear-orange-suits-sometimes-white/50970