LET’S MAKE STUFF!
Newspaper crafts – Time to raid the recycling bin! by Tania and Jack Chipman
Newspaper Koala
Papier Mache Chicken
Materials needed: Scissors Glue Old newspapers Black paper
Materials needed: Old newspapers Small paper plate Masking tape
Koalas are super cute and easy to make using old newspapers. White paper Colored paper Black marker
Instructions: 1. Trace and cut 4 circles: 1 large, 1 medium and 2 small circles from old newspapers. You can use different size bowls or plates as a guide. 2. Cut the large circle in half. Save one half and discard the other. 3. Using the black paper, cut 2 small circles (pupils) and an oval (nose). 4. Cut 2 slightly bigger circles (eyes) from the white paper. 5. Use an 8 ½ x 11 piece of black or colored paper as the background. 6. Glue the large half-circle piece of newspaper at the bottom of the background paper. This is the koala’s body. 7. Glue and layer the 2 small circles of newspaper under the medium circle of newspaper. This is the Koala’s head and ears. Glue the koala’s head to the body. 8. Glue each small black circle over each small white circle. These are the Koala’s eyes. Glue each eye onto the koala’s face. 9. Glue the black oval on the koala’s face. This is the koala’s nose. 10. Using the black marker, give your koala a smile.
For a harder project try this funky papier mache chicken.
Instructions: 1. Fold the paper plate in half. Stuff it with crumpled newspaper. Tape the paper plate along the edge to hold the newspaper inside. This is the chicken’s body. 2. Cut a chicken beak and tail from the boxboard. Then tape them at either ends of the folded paper plate body to create the head and tail of the chicken. 3. Mix up a simple papier mache paste: 1 part flour to 2 parts water. Whisk till smooth. Note: paste should be kept in the refrigerator when not in use. Discard any leftovers. 4. Rip up old newspapers into strips. Dip strips into paste one at a time. Remove extra paste by sliding fingers down strip. Lay strip of pasted newspaper on the chicken. 5. Repeat until the chicken is completely covered in papier mache. Smooth each strip flat as you go. 6. Once covered let dry completely. It may take overnight. 7. Using paint or markers color the chicken. Let dry.
Other animals to try:
EXTRA! EXTRA! EXTRA! Newspaper Shoe Challenge:
Newspaper Snowball Fight:
Can you build a pair of newspaper shoes? A pair that you can take on and off? What kind of shoes will you make? Sandals, Slippers, Boots or Sneakers? Will they have straps or fasteners that help keep them on? Try sketching your designs before you build. Good Luck!
Stuck inside this winter? While you wait for some real snow or a chance to get outside, make your own newspaper snowballs. They are easy to make using old newspapers. Scrunch them into fake snowballs. Fill a laundry basket or box full and have a “snowball” fight indoors. To make your “snowballs” last longer you could use masking tape to hold the balls together. Have fun!
Letter or Word Collage Using old newspapers cut out individual letters or words. Then glue them onto a background to create a collage or poem.
14 | January 2021
Papier mache paste (flour and water) Old cereal or cracker boxes Paint or markers
