Things to Make With Paper

Those who make crafts know that paper is the best medium to work with. It is versatile and can be transformed into many different products. Among the most popular things to make using paper is card. However, there are many gifts made out paper, such as lamps, bookmarks and paper mâché containers. Another benefit is that paper is available in so many different textures and prints, that one can create a card or any other craft with little effort and relative ease. Here are some creative things to do with paper.

Easy Paper Crafts

Paper Mosaic: One of the easy things to make with paper for kids is mosaic patterns. To make you will need a paper plate, colored paper, a pair of scissors, white glue, water and a small brush. Before you start, look at pictures of mosaics for inspiration.

1. To start, pick a simple picture, such as a boat on the water, and sketch it out on the back of the paper plate.
2. Check the colors that are part of your picture as you need sheets of paper in all these colors. For each color, ensure you have at least three different shades of paper.
3. Cut all the paper into strips, and then further into small squares. Don't worry if the square aren't perfect, for they will add to the flavor of the mosaic. You will also need a few triangles for the corners.
4. Combine equal parts white glue and water, and lightly brush the plate with it.
5. Keep glancing at the picture and fill it up using the little squares. Apply another coat of the glue mixture to seal the picture. Let t dry completely.

Snowflakes: To make these easy window decorations you need paper and pencil, cookie sheet, waxed paper and dimensional fabric paint (suggestion: scribbles brand in glittering crystal).

1. Draw a snowflake template. You need to draw three lines, all about 5'' long. Start by drawing a straight line and two that make an x. All three should intersect at their respective mid points. On the ends of each line draw an arrow, followed by a 'V' followed by a '-' at the base of the v, like an underline.
2. Once your template is ready, place it face up on the cookie sheet and place waxed paper over it.
3. Use the fabric paint to make a trace the snowflake design on the waxed paper. The paint should be a thick line and all the paint lines must connect.
4. Let it dry for 24 hours, and the next day carefully peel it from the waxed paper and stick it outside a glass window.

Tissue Paper Flowers: The easiest of the things to make with tissue paper is flowers. You will need a pack of multicolored tissue or crepe paper, a pack of green pipe cleaners and a pair of scissors.

1. Take four to five sheets of the different colored tissue paper, and place them in a pile. Now crop them into 8'' squares.
2. Holding one set of sheets at an end, fold them into an accordion pattern, till you are left with a thin rectangle.
3. Snip a small v-shaped notch on both sides at the center of the rectangle. Twist the end of the pipe cleaner around the notch.
4. To create the flower, slowly ease up one layer of tissue into the center. Do the same with the remaining layers, one at a time.
5. Now that you've done one side of the flower, use the same technique to do the other. Once you are done, fluff the layer for it to take on the appearance of a carnation.

With a little research you will find many more idesas. If you need paper arts and crafts for kids, start with easy projects such as paper lanterns and cards.