How to Make a Mario Piranha Costume

"Mario Piranha" is the large, carnivorous plant seen throughout several of the Mario video game series. What characterizes the Mario piranha plants from other characters are their massive heads and teeth, which are used to attack and to destroy Mario and his friends. You will find the piranha plant situated in secretive caves and darting out of pipes, as he is known to bite anything near. Make Mario's enemy come to life by assembling your own Mario Piranha costume. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

Bend about 50 feet of chicken wire frame into a large sphere. Make sure to use chicken wire, as you will be able to bend and mold it easier than with a clothes hanger wire. Leave a large gap open for the piranha mouth. Carve out a big enough opening at the bottom of the sphere where your head may fit through the structure.

2

Make papier-mache paste by mixing cup of craft glue and cup of water in a large mixing bowl. Mix the paste well with a painters stick to remove excess clumps.

3

Tear several newspaper sheets into long strips two to three inches wide and eight to 10 inches long. Dip the newspaper strips into the papier-mache mixture, saturating it on both sides. Begin to cover the entire area of the chicken sphere frame (except for the open mouth and the head opening) with newspaper strips dipped in paste. Allow the papier-mache head piece to dry overnight.

4

Trace the piranhas designs on top of the papier-mache head with a black marker once the paste has completely dried. Paint inside the trace designs in white and paint the piranha head a bright red color. Brush thick white paint layers over the lips of the piranha mouth and outline the teeth in black. Allow the paint to fully dry for about 10 hours.

5

Cut out the entire bottom of a large plastic trash can (one that is wide enough to fit around your torso) with a box cutter. Step into the trash can and pull it up to your shoulders. Determine where your arms could fit through the sides and mark the holes. Carve out two holes on the top sides with the box cutter, where your arms must fit through, according to your height and the width of your arms. Paint the entire surface of the trash can with two to three layers of white primer. Wait 24 hours between coats to get a smooth, even paint texture.

6

Spray-paint the entire trash can a green color to resemble the tube from which the piranha plant emerges. Allow the spray paint to dry for several hours.

7

Wear a black jogging suit and comfortable black sneakers. Step into the trash can and insert your arms through the cans arm holes. Have someone assist you in putting the piranha head on.