Projects with children: making paper yourself - a job for all senses

Paper plays a major role in all areas of everyday life. Picture books, newspapers, packaging, wrapping paper, wallpaper, kitchen rolls, handkerchiefs and other everyday objects can be made of paper and cardboard. The children use paper for painting, drawing, cutting and handicrafts. Despite the many uses, many children do not know how paper is made. Discover this together with the children.

You need that for the production

uncoated waste paper e.g. B. 3-5 old daily newspapers
1 blender
2–3 ladles
1 bucket
1 tub
1 large cotton fabric, e.g. B. old bed sheet
12–15 small pieces of cotton fabric, approx. 20 cm x 30 cm in size
2-3 sponges
warm water

Obtain ladles

First of all, you need at least one or better several ladle frames. If you are experienced in handicrafts, you can do this together with the children. But surely you can also ask the parents for help with the assembly. For a ladle you need a wire mesh (grid spacing 1 cm), some mosquito net and adhesive tape. Cut out the wire mesh and the Mosquito net one piece each A4.

If you do not want to build the frame yourself, you can buy it in craft supplies or daycare stores.

Glue these two parts together with waterproof adhesive tape. If you like it a little more noble, simply pull the wire mesh onto a wooden frame (simply connect 4 square timbers to form a rectangle) and nail it there.

You may be interested in this free download

With this relaxation ritual, toddlers can relax in their afternoon nap

Make a porridge

Now the real work can begin: The children tear the paper into small pieces. In a bucket, part of the shred is now mixed with a little warm water and crushed with a hand blender (can also be done in a blender). The quantity ratio between water and paper should be chosen so that a mass of mushy consistency is created. Little by little new scraps are added. This continues until there are no more rough pieces to be seen.

Then the mixture is poured together with warm water into the large tub and the children stir it vigorously. Now find a place outside or near a sink. It is best to work there and it can also get a little dirty. Next to the tub, the children lay the large cotton cloth as a base and a small cloth, on which a scrapped paper is later placed.

This is how the children create paper

Now the first one can start scooping paper. Simply dip the scoop into the tub at a 45 ° angle, guide it down and hold it there horizontally. Now the "paper maker" has to pull the frame upwards with slow and slightly jerky movements – always keep the frame nice and horizontal! If you don’t like the result, just turn the frame over in the water so the paper is back in the water and start again.

If the result obtained pleases, the scoop is carefully pulled out of the water. The children wait a short time until excess water has dripped off – the best thing to do is to hold the scoop slightly inclined. Then carefully place one edge of the scoop on the cloth and tilt it carefully. Leave the sieve on it and press the sponge onto the freshly scooped paper from above. The children then remove the sieve.

Then they put on their artwork the little one Set the cloth aside. Press the leaves between boards to dry. Or: When they are no longer so wet, they are hung on a clothesline or laid out in the sun.

Attention: If you want to wash out the tub after the work is done, pour it through a sieve beforehand! Otherwise, any remaining paper could block your drain.

You have to pay attention to this

The finer the paper mixture, the finer the paper will be. It is also important that the Children always stir the contents of the tub again so that the paper does not separate from the water. If no more noteworthy results are achieved, more shredded paper pulp must be added again.