My downloadable PDF Patterns come with full instructions.
There’s no waiting for your pattern to arrive, and no shipping costs, so you can start on your project right away.
Click here if you’d like to know more about how the patterns are delivered. And remember – if you have any problems downloading your files or putting your pattern together, just let me know. I’m always happy to help. 😀
This easy pattern for a paper mache panda has been used by hundreds of people of all ages.
If you’ve never used a pattern to create a sculpture before, this is a good one to start with. After you cut out your pattern on cardboard, you fill out the rounded shapes with crumpled paper and masking tape. Then add a few layers of paper strips and paste, and paint.
The 10-page PDF has the printable pattern and complete instructions for putting your baby panda together.
Note: Although this panda would be cute in a baby’s room, the acrylic paint and the joint compound on his fur are not edible. Use child-safe art supplies if you want to put the sculpture in a baby’s room.
How to make your baby panda:
I made the following video a long time ago, before I started charging for patterns to support the costs of this website. I mention the word ‘free’ a couple of times in the video. Just ignore those parts, and watch the video. You’ll see all the steps needed to put your baby panda together and cover him with paper mache.
To make this paper mache sculpture you will need:
- A printer (or copy the pattern by hand
- Scissors
- Recycled newspaper
- Masking tape
- Flour and water paste
- A small amount of drywall joint compound (optional – I used it to get a light texture for the fur, but your panda will look just fine without it.)
- Acrylic paint
- Matte acrylic varnish
- A small rubber ball or stuffed animal, for the baby panda to hold.
Do you have a question or need help with your pattern?
If you have a question about putting your pattern together or painting it, leave a comment below or on the Daily Sculptors page. I read all comments and answer them as soon as I can, usually within a few hours. Some of my readers might ideas for you, too — we have a very supportive community on this site.
Downloading your files: To see exactly how the downloading process should work, click here. If your pattern doesn’t download correctly and you can’t see the solution on that page, let me know right away so I can help. This is a one-person business, but I check my inbox regularly and will respond as fast as I can.

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Hi!
I love your panda! Is this easy enough to work with students who are in 6th grade?
Hi Bethany. 6th graders should be able to do this, but you might want to cut out the pattern pieces in cardboard before the class, or use cereal box cardboard that can be cut with scissors. They’ll be able to give the panda any posture they want, so it will be fun to see what the kids do with them. 🙂
Thanks for the quick response! Sounds awesome. I am going to try this next week with my students. Do you have any other animals that might be of the same complexity?
You might also want to consider the chicken and the folk-art bunny. Have fun! 🙂
My first demon paper mache mask
Hi Vladimir. Did you try to upload a photo with your comment? If you did, it didn’t work. Images need to be edited to make the file size smaller than 250 kb. I do hope you’ll edit the photo and try again. We’d love to see your mask.
Finished my panda! This was a fun project.
Rylan, did you try to upload a photo of your panda? If you did, the image file was too large so it didn’t work. I do hope you’ll show us how it came out – we’d love to see it. 🙂
Combien de temps ? Pour faire le panda
You should be able to finish it in three days or less. It depends on how long the paper mache takes to dry.
How do I get the pattern? I have paid thinking I was going to get an email with the pattern!
Hi Terry. The system is supposed to send an email right away with the download link. I’ll send a private message to the email address you used for this comment, so we can make sure you get your pattern.
Your art is really cool and i like the creativity. Its not everyday you see a paper mache sculpture of some sort.
I’m doing this for a project and I’m a beginner at all types of art. I find that building the body is extremely hard!
But worth the effort, I hope. 🙂
This post has been so useful. I work in a nursery and we have an international day coming up. This panda is very good for display. Thank u so much for this guide.
You’re welcome. I hope you’ll come back and show your panda to us. We’d love to see it.