As an art teacher, I was so excited when my kids asked to do a PAPER themed camp this summer. We went all out, with origami sculptures, making paper by hand, edible rice paper treats, a summer scrapbook, and a field trip to the local papery. Check it out!
Paper reading!
Learning about the history of paper, and how to create paper arts at home!
Handmade paper!
This is an amazing process that teaches all about reusing and recycling
Need: water tub, blender, wood-framed screen (think screen door material), sponges, old paper scraps, cheesecloth or very thin fabric scrapsTear up old paper scraps into smaller pieces Add water. Blend!
Place screen in tub. Pour wet, blended paper pulp onto screen. Tip: use border for cleaner edges Place cheesecloth over wet paper pulp and screen, pat cloth until it becomes wetFlip screen (with paper pulp) and cheesecloth over onto drying surface (we used a table with more cloths laid out). Soak up excess liquid on backside of screen using a sponge.Let dry for 1-2 days
Enjoy your beautiful handmade paper!
Origami!
These “paper puzzles” are a fun challenge for curious kids who love to problem solve and work with their hands
For some of these we watched YouTube videos to learn simple forms, and then kept practicing This library book was an excellent resource (Origami & Papercraft: Paper Toys by Jennifer Sanderson & Jessica Moon)Cutting and adding marker embellishments was fun for themSo many fun creations!
Paper plate crowns!
These cheap paper plates offer so many craft opportunities- I always make sure I have some on hand They were a bit snug on my boys’ giant heads 😆 but fun to decorate nonetheless
Edible paper!
Beautiful and delicious 😋 Need: rice flour, potato starch, salt, plastic wrap, microwave, bowl & whisk (see my Paper Pinterest board for detailed instructions)
Combine ingredients & microwave according to directions
Need: large construction paper (color variety is great) & painters tapeThis is a great activity that combines art & design with engineering & math. Start by building single pyramids and see how many you can combine!
Paper weaving!
Great for fine motor skills! Tip: use larger strips for younger kids and thinner for more experienced students More examples of paper weaving, and how the strip sizes might vary for difficulty level. Tip: always use painters tape to hold the first set of strips in place
They make lovely displays, too!
Field trip to the Papery!
Here we are visiting The Papery in our hometown. I let each child pick out some scrapbook paper for our culminating project (see below).
Summer scrapbooks!
This is a fantastic project that is always a hit with the littles. I just did it again with our pandemic learning pod as a memento for the school year, and they turned out so cute!
Need: 3-hole-punch folder, page protectors, construction or scrapbook paper, stickers, scissors, glue, markers & printed photos Have kids categorize photos by topic or theme, and create each page according to that theme. Have them practice writing titles and captions, and decorate with drawings and stickers.
This is truly one of my favorite activities And the end project is a keepsake that will be enjoyed for years to come ❤️
Media & resources
I am a big believer in arts education and hands on learning, and therefore the paper theme was a winner in my book. For more ideas on how to incorporate paper-themed activities into your DIY summer camp or home learning fun, visit my Pinterest boards and Instagram page.
