Paper Weaving

I just love this activity because it is such good fine motor skills practice. And truth be told, kids could always use practice in using scissors safely and accurately.

Paper weaving is a craft in which thin strips of paper are woven together to create a colorful pattern. Weaving is a popular technique that is fun while also helping children develop dexterity and coordination. Weaving also reinforces previously learned colors and patterns. The nice thing about paper weaving is that anyone can do it.  Younger children can make simpler patterns using one color, while older kids can create more complex and interesting patterns with lots of colors, patterns and textures.

We started by choosing our colors. Buttercup chose, purple, light pink and a darker pink. We used a black sheet of construction paper as our base.

Materials needed:

• A few sheets of construction paper
• A ruler
• A pencil
• Glue

Instructions:

• Choose the colors you want to use. To make it easier for us, we chose black as our starting point, the canvas if you will. Then we chose 3 more colors,  you can choose 1, 2 or more.
• Fold one paper in half.
• Mark a 1/2 inch line across the top to the paper (not on the fold side, the side that is open) This line is a guide so  your child know not to cut past that point.
• From the folded part, start making a cut all the way up to the line you just made with a pencil.
• Make the cut as wacky as you want. This will make for a nice pattern.
• Continue making cuts across the paper about 1 inch apart.
• Cut 1 inch strips of the other color(s) (I pre cut these for Buttercup, but your child can cut them)
• Open the paper that you previously cut.
• Begin weaving a strip of paper through the pattern, over and under, over and under.
• When you get to the end, put a little glue on both ends to secure the strip in place.
• Continue this pattern until you've filled in the whole paper.
• Remember, if you started with your strip under, the next strip  has to be over.

Marking and cutting the base paper.

9x11 sheet of construction paper

Paper folded in half



Marking 1/2" from top

Making a pencil mark across

That's how it should look

Buttercup making cuts

The cuts can be whimsical

Weaving the strips of paper

Almost done

Masterpiece!

Check out this video that shows you step by step. This is not my video but I liked it even though I cannot hear what the woman is saying (my audio is not working). But you don't need to listen, just watch. It's very good. It looks like she uses a magazine cover as her base. It's interesting and I might try that next time.

There you have it. A simple, inexpensive craft project for you and your kids!!