Great Children's Crafts to Make With Used Magazines and Papers

If you are searching for an excellent rainy day project for your kid, you don't have to search any further than a heap of old newspapers or magazines. Although most folks simply toss them away or take them to the recycling facility, newspapers and magazines can actually be used to make a selection of interesting projects. Here are some great suggestions that will enable you to get started on some paper projects. Of course, once you begin crafting with newspaper, you will most likely come up with a lot of new ideas on your own.

Paper Mache Crafts

There are numerous methods for forming old newspaper into paper mache. The paper strip technique is extremely easy for kids to handle, even if they are little. Get started by mixing together some flour and water to produce a paper mache paste. Just use a recipe of two parts water and one part flour, as well as two to three tablespoons of salt, until your mixture has a consistency like pudding. Give your child something to protect their clothing with, such as an old shirt or a kitchen apron, and also protect your work surface with a drop cloth or a cheap tablecloth. Then, tear up the paper, forming nice thin strips. Give your kid any little cardboard canisters you have sitting around, such as toilet paper tubes, paper towel rolls, and cereal boxes. Tell your child to dip the strips of newspaper into the paste, remove the extra paste with their fingers, and place it on their project. Depending on their mood, they could make animals, space ships, buildings or almost anything else. Put it on a piece of wax paper and give time to dry. When dry, your child can decorate their creation with tempera paints. Snap some shots of their crafts and present them in picture frames.

Paper Cheerleader Pom-Poms

If your young daughter is an aspiring cheerleader, try to make her some affordable pom-poms. Just lay out several sheets of newspaper across a flat surface. Then, implement a nice and sharp pair of scissors to slice the newspaper into strips about a half inch wide, and leave the strips connected along one of the edges. Make plenty of these strips to make two nice full pom-poms. Then, roll the newspapers up, making a handle from the uncut edge. Form the structure of the handles by winding masking tape around the handles. You can also add a few string loops to your handles. Be sure to take numerous photos of your little cheerleader in action, since when displayed in picture frames these photos are sure to be invaluable.

Homemade Paper

Your kids can not only have fun making homemade paper, but learn from it as well. Because a blender will be used, this project will undoubtedly require your help. To make the paper slurry, you will need a collection of used paper, such as newspaper, clean toilet or facial tissues, or some colored construction paper. If you have got a bit of thoroughly clean dryer lint, this can also be good for adding strength as well as stability to the paper. Put the paper in the blender after ripping it in small pieces. Add water, allowing the paper pieces to soak for about fifteen minutes. Then, use the blender to form a slurry mixture. Obtain a piece of screen material made of plastic and place it over a container and then hold it in place with a rubber band. Next, pour out the paper mixture over the screen-covered bowl, giving the water time to drain into the container. Let the paper dry out then cut it into the desired dimensions and shape. This paper can be used for wrapping paper, craft paper, or to make decorative photo mats for in picture frames.

If you have got some excess newspapers lying around, put them to use right away with these simple crafts and your children are sure to have a great time.


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Autumn Lockwood writes for Your Picture Frames. Find the artistic collage picture frames you are looking for when you visit our website. Check out our decorative photo frames now or talk to us when you call 800-780-0699.