Summer Indoor Entertainment For Children Part II-Easy Handmade Paper Art
Have your wondered what to do with all of your children's leftover construction and art paper from school? Does your child enjoy art and always looking for a way to express him or herself? Paper making is a fun way for your little artist to create something unique this summer. It is quick and easy to create with a little assistance from you. Below are directions on how to make handmade paper.
Materials: 2 matching stretcher or picture frames, about 9 X 12 inches; rustproof window screen slightly larger than frames; staples or tacks; duct tape; construction or watercolor papers; blender, large and small sponges; Handi Wipes towels; rectangular pan at least 2 in. Larger than frames and 5-8 in. Deep, such as bus pan or clean litter pan; newspapers.
Mold and deckle: Stretch screen tightly over 1 frame; staple or tack in place. Trim edges; cover rough edges with duct tape. This is the mold. Remaining frame is the deckle.
Paper Pulp: Tear construction paper or watercolor paper into 1 in. squares. Keep colors separate. Papers containing paint, ink, pencil, or other mediums may be used. Do not use newspapers or previously recycled paper.
Put 4 c. water and ½ paper in blender. Blend 1-2 mins. Or until the consistency of lumpy cooked oatmeal. Pour into pulp pan. Fill pan to about 4 in. deep. Pulp may be diluted with water slightly.
Making paper: Unfold Handi Wipes towel and lay on pad of newspapers. Align deckle with mold. Stir pulp. Scoop mold and deckle under surface of water; shake underwater to evenly distribute pulp. Lift up; let drain. Remove deck; flip mold and pulp onto Handi Wipes towel, pulp side down. Do not remove mold. Press sponge onto screen, removing excess water and compressing fibers.
Remove mold with rocking motion. Lay another Handi Wipes towel and more newspapers on paper; let dry slowly 1-3 days. If paper seems to curl, add more weight on top. When dry, peel paper off towels.
Cleanup: Drain pulp through mold or mesh colander. Do not pour pulp down drain. Squeeze out excess water. Discard or place in plastic bags and refrigerate for up to several weeks. Add water to reconstitute.
*Cookie Cutter Animals: Make paper as above. Lay cookie cutter on top of mold; scoop pulp into cookie cutter with cup. Compress pulp with fingers or sponge, filling shape. Continue adding pulp and compressing until cookie cutter is full and solid. Gently remove cookie cutter. Flip sculpture onto Handi Wipes towel and finish as above. After removing mold, even out edges with fingers. Decorate with markers or paint.
You can be creative as you make handmade paper. It is especially fun for children to make
various shapes out of the handmade paper that can be glued onto other handmade paper. After paper is completely dry, you can frame your child's artwork and display them in their bedrooms.
Not only will they be cute, but your child will feel pride in the fact they her or she made them.
For other great children's ideas on summer fun, see other articles, blogs and children's costume page.
--La Donna Jensen, co-owner Aaron's Online Boutique, owner of Network Marketing Income, Internet entrepreneur, 20 years marketing and sales, author.
Children's Homemade Play Dough Recipe
1 C. flour
1/4 C. salt
1 C. water
1 T. salad oil
2 tsp. cream of tartar
Food coloring
Mix together in heavy saucepan until lumps are out. Cook over medium heat and stir constantly until very thick and pulling away from sides. Remove from heat. Cool. Knead for a few minutes. Store in tightly sealed plastic bag or container.
Variations: Use on package unsweetened Kook-Aid in place of food coloring. If you want your dough to smell nice, use 1 tablespoon baby oil in place of 1 tablespoon salad oil. (Make sure children do not eat play dough if you use baby oil) | 
Children's Clothing