If you have a pile of newspapers in your house waiting to be put in the bin, why not put them to good use and spend some quality time with your kids.
These crafts are easy to do with children.
Paper boat
- Get one sheet of newspaper and fold it in half.
- Fold it again, this time vertically like you are making a card.
- This is just to make a centre crease so unfold it back to the first fold
- Fold down the top corners of the unopened end. You will be left with about an inch at the end of the newly formed triangle.
- Turn one side up over the triangle and turn it around to do this on the other side.
- Fold in the bottom corners that are sticking out on either side of the triangle
- Fold your triangle again so that it looks like a diamon.
- Gently pull the sides apart and you have a boat.
Flower pots
- Fold two sheets of newspaper together lengthways.
- Wrap it around a tin to give it a round shape.
- Leave one end open and fold the corners at the other end around the tin. Secure with tape.
- Slide it off the jar and you will have a perfect circular shape.
- Fill with compost and plant your seeds.
- These pots are great for ensuring the compost stays moist and the seedlings are properly hydrated.
Basket weave
This requires a little bit of patience and a small amount of skill but once your little one gets the hang of it they’ll be fine.
- Cut the newspaper lengthways so you get about 40 strips.
- Lay the strips on the ground and you are ready to weave.
- Start weaving from the centre folding one strip over the other to make a square shape.
- Weave until you have created a big enough bottom for your basket.
- Then fold the exposed strips at a 90° angel and weave again to make your sides. Secure with tape.
Paper hat
- Get one sheet of newspaper and fold in half.
- Fold it again, this time vertically like you are making a card. This is just to make a crease so unfold it back to the first fold.
- Fold down the top corners of the unopened end. You will be left with about an inch at the end of an unfolded piece.
- Turn one side up over the triangle and turn it around to do this on the other side.
