Do you remember making woven paper when you were a kid? It’s a classic craft project – simple, inexpensive, and fun. Paper weaving is a low-mess activity I like to pull out on busy days or when friends are over. After a quick lesson, most kids are weaving like pros. Every kid should learn how to weave at some point in their life. This also makes for a good quiet-time activity too.
Classic Kids Craft: Paper Weaving
Materials:
- colored paper
- strips of colored or patterned paper
- scissors
We love the combination of a solid color base with patterned paper strips. You can also experiment with weaving ribbons, yarn, strips cut from magazines, or fabric pieces. If you have finger paintings or other artwork your child has done, those can be cut into strips for weaving, too.
Fold your base paper in half and cut slits starting at the fold. Stop your cuts an inch or two from the edge. You don’t have to limit yourself to straight cuts – try wavy lines or zigzags for interesting patterns when you weave. You can evenly space your slits, or mix it up and see what unique pattern you create.
Unfold your paper and begin weaving your strips over and under. Paper weaving is a great workout for little fingers! Young kids might need your help to get started, but they should pick up the simple technique pretty quickly. Alternate starting your strips over or under and keep weaving until you run out of room.
If necessary, trim up the edges and you’re done!
We love using woven paper as colorful place mats. They make a great party activity, too! If you’d like to use them over and over again, cover with clear Contact paper or have them laminated.
Smaller weavings can be glued onto paper and used as part of a collage or picture. You can cut your woven paper into shapes like hearts or flowers, or make a bookmark. If your strips aren’t staying put, use a little clear tape on the back to hold them in place.
Happy crafting!
Need more simple kid crafts? Here are some ideas:
- Spin-a-Story Craft for Creative Storytelling Games
- Simple Spider Halloween Countdown Pocket Chart
- Easy Paper Plate Flamingo Craft for Kids
- Garden Pinwheel Craft for Kids from Recycled Artwork
- DIY Watercolor Bookmarks to Make With Your Tween
Thank you for sharing this. Needed any easy and inexpensive craft for 400 Honduran kids. Wanted something more creative than the basic straight lines I’d seen before, but less time consuming than true weaving projects. This is PERFECT! Thank you SO much!
Wow awesome,hve been given ths as an assignment and perfomed so well.so creative i love it
Wow, this is great! Never thought of cutting curved lines instead of just straight. Looks fantastic! Will try this with my class next week.
Amy, you are a crafty one! Lovely idea for some creativity with the kids! It’s great for children’s imagination to have these activities rather than be glued to the TV or playing on a games console! (non-existent in our household!) My 19 m.o. daughter loves this kind of hobby! Thank you!
Love this! I can see this as a fun background for a card.