- 1). Roll a piece of rectangular cardboard into a tube shape so that it is the desired diameter of the battering ram, and staple the ends together.
- 2). Secure the tube shape with masking tape. Since the cardboard will eventually be covered with papier-mâché, don't worry about how the masking tape looks on the cardboard; just make it secure so the tube shape holds.
- 3). Roll a second piece of rectangular cardboard into a tube shape, and add it to the end of the first tube. Do this by overlapping one end onto the first tube, stapling the ends of the second tube and securing with tape. Repeat this process until the battering ram is the desired length.
- 4). Cut newspaper into strips, about 2 inches by 6 inches, using a paper cutter. Tearing the paper strips instead of cutting makes a smoother papier-mâché surface, but it is quicker to use a paper cutter and cut more than one sheet at a time. Cut enough paper to cover the cardboard battering ram four times.
- 5). Ball up a large piece of newspaper and shove into one end of the tube, allowing some of the balled-up newspaper to hang out. Tape into place, and repeat on the other end of the tube.
- 6). Dip a newspaper strip in the liquid starch and apply to the outside of the cardboard tube. Repeat and cover the entire battering ram surface in a criss-cross pattern. Refill the bowl with liquid starch, as needed.
- 7). Allow the wet newspaper to dry. After it is dry, add three more layers. Allow each layer to dry, before adding a new layer.
- 8). Paint the finished, dried battering ram with brown acrylic paint.