Crafting a Pokémon-Inspired Mask

One of the best things about being a parent is the little adventures you embark on with your child—often sparked by their boundless imagination. Gabriel and I found ourselves swept up in one such adventure, crafting a festival mask inspired by a Pokémon Violet in-game event. In the game, there’s a colourful festival where characters wear all sorts of fantastic masks, and Gabriel, wanted to make his own real-life version.

This crafting project turned out to be a perfect blend of creativity, teamwork, and, of course, a whole lot of fun!

The Inspiration: Pokémon Violet’s Festival

Gabriel’s excitement for this project came straight from Pokémon Violet. One of the game’s events features a lively festival where characters celebrate by wearing elaborately decorated masks. Gabriel was immediately fascinated by the idea and came to me with a request: “Mum, can we make one like they wear in the festival?”

As a mum who loves any opportunity to spend creative time with Gabriel, I was on board right away. This was more than just a chance to craft—it was a way to turn his favourite video game into a real-world experience we could share.

The Materials: A Trip to Hobbycraft

Our first stop was Hobbycraft, our go-to shop for any crafting adventure. We were on the hunt for a base mask that Gabriel could customise. After exploring the aisles we found the perfect blank canvas: a simple card mask waiting for us to bring it to life.

Next came the supplies. We quickly filled our basket with coloured paper, card, and glittering gems.

The Design: Festival Fun with a Pokémon Twist

Back home, we spread out our supplies on the kitchen table, and Gabriel wasted no time diving into the design. He was determined to create something bold and colourful, just like the masks in the Pokémon Violet festival. Gabriel’s vision was a mix of bright colours—something that would stand out at any festival, whether in a game or real life.

He chose blue, green, yellow, and red as the main colours, explaining that they reminded him of his favourite Pokémon mask and the festive atmosphere in the game. Together, we sketched out some basic shapes on colourful paper to represent the mask’s vibrant features.

With the design set, we began cutting out the shapes and gluing them onto the base mask. Gabriel was in charge of the placement. He carefully positioned the pieces, layering them to create a dynamic, eye-catching effect. It was amazing to watch him take control of the project, confidently bringing his idea to life.

The Sparkles: Adding the Festival Magic

No mask is complete without a touch of sparkle, and Gabriel added glittering gems concentrating intently on where each one should go to highlight some of the shapes and patterns.

With each new embellishment, the mask became more and more vibrant—reflecting Gabriel’s creativity and the festive spirit of the game that inspired it.

The Final Touches: Bringing the Mask to Life

By the time we finished, the mask was a stunning mix of bright colours, playful designs, and sparkling accents. Gabriel’s imagination had truly brought the festival from Pokémon Violet to life. It wasn’t just a mask anymore—it was a piece of wearable art, full of energy and creativity.

The Joy of Crafting Together

As we cleaned up the bits of paper, card, and sparkles scattered across the kitchen, I couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of satisfaction. Crafting with Gabriel is always special, but this project felt extra meaningful. It was more than just about making a mask—it was about sharing his love for Pokémon Violet and turning that passion into something tangible.

For Gabriel, the mask became a symbol of his favourite game, a connection between his virtual world and the real one. And for me, it was a reminder of how wonderful it is to see the world through my child’s eyes.

The Value of Creative Play

For Gabriel, making the mask wasn’t just a fun activity. It was an opportunity to bring his favourite game to life in a way that felt personal and meaningful. And for me, it was a chance to bond with him, to encourage his creativity, and to celebrate the joy of creating something with our hands.

Final Thoughts: Crafting a World of Imagination

In the end, our Pokémon-inspired festival mask was more than just a craft project—it was a reminder of how powerful imagination can be. By taking inspiration from the game and turning it into a real-world creation.

Whether it’s a festival in a game or a day of crafting at home, these little adventures with Gabriel are some of the most precious moments we share. Crafting this mask reminded me that sometimes the most meaningful experiences come from the simplest activities—where imagination meets reality, and we get to create something truly special together.