{"id":1782,"date":"2010-05-24T08:44:36","date_gmt":"2010-05-24T06:44:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.jozikids.co.za\/zaparents-blog\/?p=1782"},"modified":"2022-06-16T17:45:26","modified_gmt":"2022-06-16T15:45:26","slug":"lets-make-makarabas-for-the-world-cup","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.jozikids.co.za\/blog\/activities-and-outings\/diy-activities\/lets-make-makarabas-for-the-world-cup\/","title":{"rendered":"Lets make makarapas for the soccer World Cup!"},"content":{"rendered":"

I was taken slightly off guard when my son asked me on Friday afternoon if he could make his own Makarapa for the soccer World Cup. I didn’t\u00a0 have a clue where to start but did what I usually do when I feel clueless, turn to the internet.\u00a0 Here\u00a0 I found a couple of ideas about how to begin.<\/p>\n

First step was acquiring a protective helmet which we found at one of our local hardware stores. Then a few calls to paint stores confirmed that we would use water based acrylic paint to paint on the plastic. I have subsequently learnt that one can first spray plastic primer on the helmet to prevent the paint from peeling but we didn’t do this.<\/p>\n

My kids suggested they use white board markers to draw their initial design ( brilliant suggestion!)\u00a0\u00a0 Armed with the helmets,\u00a0 markers, paint and protective clothing, the work began – designing, drawing and painting<\/p>\n

\"Mandela<\/p>\n

Younger children\u00a0 can simply decorate the helmet with paint, my 8 yr old\u00a0 daughter also used spray paint but my son was determined to create a more elaborate sculpture. After some experimentation we\u00a0 discovered that we could melt, cut and mould the plastic with our gas cooker.\u00a0 Please note this\u00a0 does require a lot of supervision and the right tools.\u00a0 Here are some suggestions:<\/p>\n

– use a gas lighter or\u00a0 blow torch\u00a0 to melt the plastic slightly ( not more than – 5-10sec)
\n– make sure you have cloth gloves or a cloth to protect your hands from the heat
\n– use\u00a0 a small serrated edge knife to cut through the plastic. (we used the one we\u00a0 cut tomatoes with),
\n– once cut and slightly soft you mould the plastic to the shape you want it.<\/p>\n

It was all so exciting, my son couldn’t stop. He transformed an old pair of rubber sandals, painted a vuvuzela and has ordered some more helmets to keep him busy for the next 2 weeks. The only thing we haven’t figured out yet\u00a0 is what varnish to use as a fixative, as the acrylic paint does tend to peel.<\/p>\n

\"Mandela<\/p>\n

We subsequently bought a Gripseal wood sealant which we coated the finished helmets with to prevent peeling.\u00a0 You can also spray a plastic primer on the helmet before painting. We found one called Sprayon vinyl paint at Jack’s Paint.<\/p>\n

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