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Stranger Things Functioning Demogorgon Mask DIY

Learn to create a terrifying Demogorgon mask with step-by-step instructions, perfect for Halloween or cosplay. Scare the Upside Down into reality!

diy stranger things demogorgon mask

When my son Cam requested that I make him a functioning Demogorgon mask for Halloween, it came as no surprise.  This year has been all about the Netflix series, Stranger Things.  My kids love, love, love this show!

Too busy to make this right away? Pin it for later! Pin this post to your favorite board on Pinterest and it will be there when you’re ready!

I started by making him this epic DIY Stranger Things Demogorgon Mask with supplies found at the dollar store.  If you want a static Demogorgon Mask be sure to check out this variation!

The only problem?  That mask didn’t open and close like the real Demogorgon on the show and I had a child who was determined to have a functioning Demogorgon costume this year.  So back to the drawing board we went… with huge success! 

diy stranger things demogorgon mask

Today I am thrilled to share this tutorial for our functioning Demogorgon Mask.  Honestly, I did not think that I could pull this mask off.   

I told Cam numerous times that it was impossible to bring a computer generated effect to reality!  I mean common…  a moving monster mouth of this magnitude?!  Not possible! 

My friend Amy came to the rescue with all kinds of Stranger Things inspiration from her haunted mansion this year.

diy stranger things demogorgon mask

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Mask Supplies:

How to make a functioning Demogorgon Mask:

diy stranger things demogorgon mask
  1. Glue the two layers of foam together.  Cut into a five petal flower shape where each petal is about 18″ long from the center.
diy stranger things demogorgon mask

2.  Use the wood burner to carve lines into the petal front and back.  This step is optional and not necessary but gives the mask amazing texture and dimension.

diy stranger things demogorgon mask

3. Cut the foam poster board into a small flower shape and glue to the back of the mask.  Each of these petals should be about 6″ long.  This provides more support to the mask so that the petals don’t flop over when its being worn.  If you use a thicker craft foam this step could be skipped depending on how sturdy the petals are.

diy stranger things demogorgon mask
diy stranger things demogorgon mask

The more gory the paint, the better!

4. Paint the front of the mask using a combination of black, red, brown and white paint.  Cam loved being involved in creating this mask!  We used foam paint brushes to give the paint job a mottled effect.

diy stranger things demogorgon mask

5.  Paint the back of the mask and edges using a combination of black, white, green and brown paint.

diy stranger things demogorgon mask

Finished painting the front.

Demogorgon Mask Process

Finished painting the back.  Here I’ve glued a basic Halloween mask (painted grey) to the back of the mask to wear it.  The middle of the demogorgon mask is glued to the top center of the Halloween mask.

6. Next cut a tiny hole in the end of each petal and in the center of the mask.  Glue a perler bead into each hole so that the fishing line does not cut through the foam when pulled.

7.  Tie the end of the fishing line through a perler bead and thread it through the end of each petal and through the center hole.  Each petal will need about 3′ of line.

diy stranger things demogorgon mask

Here each petal is attached to fishing line that has been threaded through the center hole and tied together at the back of the mask.

8. Using clay, form hundreds of teeth 1/4″ – 1/2″ long.  We rolled at least two baking sheets full of teeth.

9. Allow the teeth to dry then paint each of them a cream colour.  We used a combination of white, yellow and brown.

diy stranger things demogorgon mask

10. Using lots of hot glue, affix teeth to the mask.  We placed smaller teeth around the edges and longer teeth in the center of each petal.

diy stranger things demogorgon mask

11. Coat the entire mask generously with mod podge.  This gives the mask a glossy look and seals the whole thing.  Leave the glue gun strings attached to add a drippy saliva effect.

Demogorgon Process

The mask from the front.

12. We created Demogorgon hands too.  Use two plastic skeleton hands from the dollar store. 

13. Wrap the hands in masking tape to create three fingers and a thumb.

14. Paint them the same colour as the back of the mask.  Glue to black winter gloves and voila!

diy stranger things demogorgon mask

Our finished functioning Demogorgon mask!

To say that Cam is thrilled with the way this Demogorgon Mask turned out is an understatement!  I’m so glad that he pushed me to flex my creative muscles this Halloween.  It’s probably the coolest costume I’ve had the priveledge of creating for the kids.  

YouTube video
 

You simply have to see this functioning Demogorgon Mask in action!  So, so cool.

Mask Details
Mask Details

Frequently asked questions:

How does he see out of the mask? The middle of the mask is attached to the top of a basic Halloween mask (the forehead area). He can see through a break in the petals when he tilts his head up, when he’s walking the mask rests more on the top of his head than the front of his face. He tilts his head down for the mask to appear facing forward.

Do you have to use hot glue? No, a sturdy adhesive like E3000 would work as well.

How do the petals move? Fishing line is tied and knotted to the tip of each petal then strung through the center of the mask where it is all tied together at the back. He pulls on the fishing line to move the mask.

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Here’s our Demogorgon Costume inspiration!

If you love this functioning Demogorgon mask tutorial, please help me share it on Facebook or Pinterest so that others can enjoy it too!

DIY STRANGER THINGS FUNCTIONING DEMOGORGON MASK

DIY STRANGER THINGS FUNCTIONING DEMOGORGON MASK

Yield: 1
Active Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour
Difficulty: Easy

When my son Cam requested that I make him a functioning Demogorgon mask for Halloween, it came as no surprise.  This year has been all about the Netflix series, Stranger Things.  My kids love, love, love this show!

Materials

  • Craft foam roll 36″ x 60″ from Michaels
  • Foam poster board 12″ x 12″
  • Sturdy Halloween mask (or hat)
  • Wood burner
  • Hot glue sticks
  • Hot glue gun
  • Acrylic paint (various colours)
  • Paint brush
  • Mod podge (glossy)
  • Air dry modelling clay
  • Scissors
  • Perler beads x11
  • Fishing line

Instructions

  1. Fold the craft foam in half and glue the two layers of foam together.  Cut into a five petal flower shape where each petal is about 24″ long.
  2. Use the wood burner to carve lines into the petal front and back.  This step is optional and not necessary but gives the mask amazing texture and dimension.
  3. Cut the foam poster board into a small flower shape and glue to the back of the mask.  Each of these petals should be about 6″ long.  This provides more support to the mask so that the petals don’t flop over when its being worn.  If you use a thicker craft foam this step could be skipped depending on how sturdy the petals are.
  4. Paint the front of the mask using a combination of black, red, brown and white paint.  Cam loved being involved in creating this mask!  We used foam paint brushes to give the paint job a mottled effect.
  5. Paint the back of the mask and edges using a combination of black, white, green and brown paint.
  6. Next cut a tiny hole in the end of each petal and in the center of the mask.  Glue a perler bead into each hole so that the fishing line does not cut through the foam when pulled.
  7. Tie the end of the fishing line through a perler bead and thread it through the end of each petal and through the center hole.  Each petal will need about 3′ of line.
  8. Using clay, form hundreds of teeth 1/4″ – 1/2″ long.  We rolled at least two baking sheets full of teeth.
  9. Allow the teeth to dry then paint each of them a cream colour.  We used a combination of white, yellow and brown.
  10. Using lots of hot glue, affix teeth to the mask.  We placed smaller teeth around the edges and longer teeth in the center of each petal.
  11. Coat the entire mask generously with mod podge.  This gives the mask a glossy look and seals the whole thing.  Leave the glue gun strings attached to add a drippy saliva effect.
  12. We created Demogorgon hands too.  Use two plastic skeleton hands from the dollar store.
  13. Wrap the hands in masking tape to create three fingers and a thumb.
  14. Paint them the same colour as the back of the mask.  Glue to black winter gloves and voila!

Did you make this project?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Pinterest

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about heather

Hello, I’m Heather!

I'm an active mom of twin boys who is always looking for opportunities to inspire creativity through fun crafts, do-it-yourself projects and delicious recipes. This blog has been an integral part of supporting my little family and I am so grateful to have you become a part of our journey! Let's create together... Read more...

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This is the best thing ever ever ever. Omg. Amazing. Love it. Wish I had seen this before Halloween! We ordered a garbage costume from China and it arrived late, 5 days after Halloween and the “mask” is basically like paper and looks nothing like a demogorgon. My son was so disappointed. I’m going to make this for next year though and he will be thrilled. Congratulations on this fantastic costume!

How do you see out of it? Did he wear it off to the side a bit?

How exactly did you attach it to the mask and still be able to pull the strings? just hot glue?

Great!! Thanks so much! We are going to give it a try.

Do you happen to have a picture of what the head piece looks like with your son’s head up? I’m assuming this is glued more on his forehead, right? I’m having a hard time figuring out how to make this work with my 5 & 3 year old. I’m so excited to do this!!

I still don’t understand how you attach to a mask and how they see??

thank you so much for this tutorial! you’re so creative! I am
so excited to make this for my son! Im
not sure im clear on attaching the petals
to a mask/how your son can see through the costume?

This is amazing! I’ve gathered all the components and am here in my living room stumped on step one! Is this two-ply, then (you glue the folded halves together?)? How do you get five 24” petals out of the folded craft foam? I can’t wait to keep moving, but I don’t want to mess up step 1!

Thank you so much for the reply and updated post! I have it almost completed, now! The fishing line/perler beads make this SO COOL. It is functioning/opening and I’m in awe. Thank you for the inspiration!

Thanks so much for posting this! I often make my kids’ Halloween costumes, but when my youngest requested a Demogorgon mask that opened & closed I wasn’t sure I could deliver. Thanks to this tutorial, it turned out amazing! Some of my process was different, but this gave me a lot of key steps & materials. My son was thrilled with his costume! I would post a picture but I don’t see the option. Anyway, thanks for helping me make his 8th Halloween one he’ll never forget!