Cool Crafts Out of Paper Plates, Cups, and Napkins
Napkins are meant to clean messy faces, wipe up spills and clean crumbs off the table. They come in many shapes, sizes and colors. Who ever thought that napkins could create art? With a touch of creativity, crafts made out of napkins are possible. But it doesn’t stop there. Besides napkins, you can create crafts by using items such as paper cups as well. With so many paper-based creations, you can give away gifts, decorate for holidays or display wonderful art around the house.
Ready to get started? Here are some fun and easy crafts to do with your kid.
Pretty flowers
The only materials needed for this activity are paper napkins and pipe cleaners.
Take four to six napkins and unwrap them, laying them flat. Place them neatly and evenly on top of each other. Fold up the bottom edge of the napkins about one inch. Turn them over and repeat. Continue repeating this step so that it makes an accordion. Then press the seams gently with your hand.
Slide a pipe cleaner beneath the napkins. Adjust it so that 1/3 of the cleaner is visible above the napkins and 2/3 show below them. Make sure that the pipe clean is centered. Fold the shorter end of the pipe cleaner so that you can twist it over the longer end. Ensure that the pipe cleaner is tight enough to pinch the napkins in the center. Pull each napkin gently toward the center to create your flower.
Butterfly feeder
This is a really fun and artsy craft that will light up your yard. Here is what you need:
• Paper cups
• Colored tissue paper
• Cotton balls
• String
• Glue sticks
• Scissors
• Water
• Sugar (1 tsp)
Punch a hole through the bottom of a paper cup. Rub glue all over the bottom of the cup. Paste petals cut out from the colored tissue paper. Then stuff one or two cotton balls into the hole. Punch a hole in both sides of the upper part of the cup. Cut a small piece of string and put through the holes to create a hanger.
Mix the sugar with about a half glass of water. Fill the cup about a ¼ full and hang in the backyard. The cotton ball will most likely get damp. Wait for the butterflies to stop by for a drink!
Catch the bead game
This craft activity is perfect for a child’s hand-eye coordination. These are the materials that you will need:
• Paper cup
• Beads
• Glitter pom-poms
• Yarn
• Collage materials
Punch a hole into the bottom of the cup. Using the collage materials, and glitter pom-poms, decorate the cup as much as you’d like. Take one end of the yarn and thread it through the hole in the cup. Tie a knot at the end to secure it. Thread a bead with the loose end of the yarn. Now you’ve got yourself a cool, little game!