Stranger Things Functioning Demogorgon Mask DIY
Creepy cool meets DIY genius! Learn how to make a functioning Demogorgon mask that opens and closes—perfect for cosplay, Halloween, or Stranger Things fans!
Learn how to make a Stranger Things Demogorgon mask that opens and closes with these step-by-step instructions. Scare the Upside Down into reality!
Okay, Stranger Things fans… you’re not ready for this one. When my son Cam said he wanted to be a Demogorgon this Halloween, I thought, “Sure, no big deal.” But then he added, “…with a mouth that opens and everything.”
My kids love, love, love Stranger Things! I wasn’t really surprised by his request, since this year has been all about the terrifying Netflix series, but oh boy, this is definitely one of the craziest costumes I’ve ever made!
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!
Why You’ll Love This Project
This Halloween mask tutorial brings Demogorgon Stranger Things cosplay goals to life—literally. The mask opens and closes using fishing line, just like the creepy flower-mouth monster from the show.
Whether you’re making it for a hardcore fan, a Halloween party, or are in search of a next-level Demogorgon cosplay costume, it’s shockingly doable and incredibly satisfying to finish. Not to mention, it’ll totally blow people’s minds when they see the mouth move!
We made a trip to the dollar store for supplies and I started to build him this epic DIY Stranger Things Demogorgon Mask. If you want a static Demogorgon Mask be sure to check out this variation!
The only problem was 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!
One heroic parenting moment, and about 500 fake teeth later, we created a DIY Demogorgon costume that’s straight out of the Upside Down. This epic Demogorgon costume with an opening mouth doesn’t just look spooky—it moves, it drools, and it completely wowed the neighborhood.
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I am thrilled to share this tutorial for our functioning Demogorgon Mask with you today. 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, come on…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.
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Costume Supplies
- Craft foam roll – 36″ wide and cut into two 36″x36″ sheets
- Foam poster board – 12″ x 12″
- Sturdy Halloween mask (or balaclava-type hat)
- Wood burner – For optional detailing
- Hot glue gun and glue sticks
- Acrylic paint – Black, red, brown, white, and green
- Paint brush
- Mod podge (glossy finish)
- Air dry modelling clay
- Scissors
- Perler beads x11
- Fishing line
- Two skeleton hands
- Masking tape
- Black winter gloves
How to Make a Functioning Demogorgon Mask
1. Glue the two layers of foam together. Cut into a five-petal flower, with each petal about 18” long.
2. Use the wood burner to carve veiny lines into both sides of the petals. This step is optional, but gives the mask amazing texture and dimension.
3. Cut the foam poster board into a small flower shape, with 6″ long petals, and glue to the back of the mask. This reinforces the mask, so that the petals don’t flop over when it’s being worn.
If you use a thicker craft foam and the petals are sturdy enough, this step could be skipped.
The more gory the paint, the better!
4. Paint the front of the mask using a combination of black, red, brown, and white paint. We used foam 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 for a dark, plantlike effect.
Finished painting the front.
6. I painted a basic Halloween mask gray, then glued the center of the Demogorgon mask to the forehead of the Halloween mask.
7. Next, cut a tiny hole in the end of each petal and in the center of the mask. Glue Perler beads into each hole to prevent the fishing line from cutting through the foam when pulled.
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. Knot everything at the back to create the mouth-opening effect.
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 color. We used a combination of white, yellow, and brown.
10. Using lots of hot glue, stick teeth everywhere. 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 gross, wet look and seals the whole thing.
The mask from the front. I left the glue gun strings attached to add a drippy saliva effect.
12. For the Demogorgon hands, we used plastic skeleton hands that we found at the dollar store.
13. Wrap the hands in masking tape to create three fingers and a thumb.
14. Paint them the same color as the back of the mask. Glue to black winter gloves and voila!
A Finished Functioning Demogorgon Mask
Slide the mask on, tie the lines together, and you’ve got a fully functioning Demogorgon Stranger Things costume!
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 priviledge of creating for the kids.
You simply have to see this functioning Demogorgon Mask in action! So, so cool.
Tips and Tricks
- If your craft foam is extra thick, you might not need to reinforce the petals at all.
- A heat gun can also help shape the foam petals into a curved, more monstrous shape.
- Don’t skip the Perler beads—they stop the fishing line from slicing through the foam.
- Let your kid do the painting! It’s messy fun and adds a personal touch.
- A balaclava or tight-fitting hat can be used instead of a Halloween mask to secure the Demogorgon to the wearer’s head.
- Paint the inside of the petals a darker red or even black to make the teeth pop more in photos.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you see out of the mask?
The mask is attached to the top of a basic Halloween mask at a gap between the petals to see through when you tilt your head up. The mask rests more on the top of the head, so the wearer can still walk around easily.
How do the petals move?
Each petal is connected to fishing line that runs through the center of the mask and ties in the back. When the line is pulled, the petals fold inward, opening and closing the mouth.
Do I have to use hot glue?
Nope! A strong adhesive like E6000 works too. It will just need more drying time before handling.
Can I use EVA foam instead of craft foam?
Yes! EVA gives a firmer hold and holds paint well, but you might need a sharper blade to cut it.
How long does it take to make this DIY costume mask?
This project took us about two weekends—one for shaping and painting, and one for the teeth and fishing line magic.
Here’s our Demogorgon costume inspiration!
This Stranger Things Demogorgon costume was honestly one of the most rewarding (and grossest!) DIYs we’ve done. Cam still brags about how his mouth actually opens—because let’s face it, not many kids have a Demogorgon costume realistic enough to actually scare the neighbors.
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
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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Paint the back of the mask and edges using a combination of black, white, green and brown paint.
- 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.
- 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.
- Using clay, form hundreds of teeth 1/4″ – 1/2″ long. We rolled at least two baking sheets full of teeth.
- Allow the teeth to dry then paint each of them a cream colour. We used a combination of white, yellow and brown.
- 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.
- 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.
- We created Demogorgon hands too. Use two plastic skeleton hands from the dollar store.
- Wrap the hands in masking tape to create three fingers and a thumb.
- Paint them the same colour as the back of the mask. Glue to black winter gloves and voila!
Video
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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?
He looked down and out through the mask :)
How exactly did you attach it to the mask and still be able to pull the strings? just hot glue?
Fishing line was tied and knotted to the tip of each petal then strung through the center of the mask where it was all tied together at the back. We hot glued a belaclava style black hat to the back of the mask so he could wear it (being sure not to cover the center hole so that the fishing line could move freely).
Great!! Thanks so much! We are going to give it a try.
Awesome!!
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!!
Yes, the mask rests more on his forehead and he looks out through/under. If you check out our YouTube there’s more video that might be helpful. Have fun creating!
I still don’t understand how you attach to a mask and how they see??
It is attached to the top of a belaclava type hat. He can see through a break in the petals when he tilts his head up, when hes walking the mask rest 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. Hope that helps and have fun!
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?
They are attached to the top of a belaclava type hat. He can see through a break in the petals when he tilts his head up, when hes walking the mask rest more on teh top of his head than the front of his face. He tilts his head down for the mask to appear facing forward. Hope that helps and have fun!
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!
I grabbed the mask from storage and re-measured the foam :) Updated measurements in the blog post. Basically I glued two sheets together to make the mask more sturdy. Sketch a five petal pattern as big as you can from foam measuring approx 36″ x 36″. Hope that helps!
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!
Oh yay!! I’m so happy!! Have a wonderful Halloween and send me a photo if you get a chance, I would love to see it! heatherpainchaud@hotmail.com
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!
Awww yay! This made my day – I’m so glad that he loved it! Photos can be sent to heatherpainchaud@hotmail.com I would love to see it!!
Hi Heather! I’ve made this for my son for Halloween this year and it’s fantastic! Looks good and works great! BUT, my teeth won’t stay on the petals. I hot glued them as you instructed but they just pop right off and the slightest movement of the petal. Any advice?
Try super glue!! Let me know how it works out <3