Crafts with Napkins & Paper Towels

You will be surprised what you can make with just a napkin and scissors.

What You'll Need

Paper napkin
Scissors

Dye paper towels to make pretty patterns.

What You'll Need

Food coloring
Cups of water
Paper towels

CRAFTS MATERIALS YOUR KIDS WILL NEED TO MAKE THIS CHILRENS' ARTS AND CRAFTS ACTIVITY:
Apple Pencil Holder-

Materials:
balloon
paper mache paste
strips of newspaper
strips of white paper (3 sheets or so of old computer paper works well)
red tempra/poster paint (or red tissue paper or red napkins)
green felt or green construction paper

Instructions:
prepare your paper mache paste (read my "How to Paper Mache" section if you don't know how this is done.

Blow up the balloon ALL THE WAY and then let all the air out now blow up the balloon a little bit (until it has about a 5 inch diameter) and tie it
blowing it up all the way and letting the air out first, will make the apple more round.





Cover with 2 to 4 layers of newspaper paper mache and let it dry. About 24 hours to dry unless you leave it somewhere sunny and warm
don't cover the tied part (this will be the hole for the pencils.


Cover with 2 to 4 layers of white computer paper (it's much easier to paint over than newspaper!) and let dry

Reach through the hole with a sharp pin and pop the balloon. If you can, pull out the balloon bits


IF NECESSARY: Take a fairly damp cloth and widen the hole (for the pencils) to the desired size (you can see from the photo above how large we made our hole). The damp cloth will soften the mache so you can work with it. Be patient and let it soften!



Crush the bottom of the apple so that it stands without help. You won't be able to crush it when it's all dry, so use a damp cloth (or set the apple on a damp paper towel for about 15 minutes) to soften the mache. Then push gently to make a flat surface on the bottom.

Paint the apple red. If you covered with white computer paper, this should only take one coat. If you're using tissue paper or napkins, tear into small pieces and paper mache them onto the apple in a final layer to turn it red.
Let dry


OPTIONAL: Give the apple a coat or two of spray varnish (I always have a can of this around for projects the girls are especially proud of, to waterproof them and ensure they last longer)

Cut two simple leaf shapes from green felt or construction paper and glue to the top of the apple.

Add a couple of sharp new pencils and present to your teacher (or to a child who is just starting school).

CRAFTS MATERIALS YOUR KIDS WILL NEED TO MAKE THIS CHILDRENS' ARTS AND CRAFTS ACTIVITY:
Dolphin Paper Mache Craft -

MATERIALS:
The only "store bought" material is paint (tempra, poster or finger paint all work well... acrylic paints work great, but don't wash out of clothes!!!) We mixed white and black to make our own grey. Alternatively, you can mod podge (mache) on 1 inch squares of grey tissue paper. Or make a "funky dolphin" by maching on 1 inch squares of patterned tissue paper or napkins

paint brush

newspaper

toilet paper or paper towel

paper towel roll

toilet paper roll

scissors

tape (masking or scotch tape)

ONE OF: white glue, mod podge OR paper mache paste (1 part flour to 5 parts water... boil about 3 minutes and let cool)


STEP 1: BUILD THE FRAME:
This is part of a more complicated crafting series so if you have any suggestions to improve the instructions, please feel free to let me know! I recommend you quickly review all the instructions before starting the project.

Take the paper towel roll and cut a V shape out of one end
Discard the small piece
Pull the two ends of the cut together and tape (it will crunch up a bit, but we'll fill in the dips later.)
At this point, you can stuff the whole thing with newspaper or toilet paper so it's a bit more solid.
The open end is the head, and the narrow, taped end is the back.



Take a toilet paper roll & cut lengthwise, so you can unroll it.

Draw on a dolphin tail shape and cut it out.

Because you used a tp roll, your tail will be nice and curvy

Tape the tail to the back of the paper towel roll



Take a 1/2 sheet of newspaper and scrunch into a ball.

Insert ball into open end of the paper towel roll.

This will be the rounded head

Tape it well

Take a piece of cardboard (old cereal box) or another unrolled toilet paper roll and cut out a top fin shape (see photo).

Cut a U shape snout (mouth) for the dolphin

Cut two bottom fin shapes ("wings" as my 2 year old called them) (same as top fin shape in photo, but a bit longer and skinnier)

Tape/glue on the top fin (this step is a bit finnicky... just put big pieces of tape on either side of the fin and tape it on the body).
Shannon sent in the following suggestion for the top fin: Cut about an extra inch to the bottom of the fin. Then cut about an inch straight up in the middle. Fold in the flaps in opposite directions, then tape the flaps to the back.

Tape/glue the mouth to the bottom of the head
Tape/glue bottom fins (wings) to the bottom of the body.

Your dolphin frame is now complete. Use toilet paper and more tape to fill in any dips and round out the head.







STEP 2: MACHE:
Tear newspaper into strips about 1 to 2 inches wide. You can have some that are longer and some that are shorter.

Paper mache the entire thing

You don't want more than 4 layers of mache added or it won't dry properly. I usually tell the kids not to add more than 2 layers (when they inevitably overlap things a bit more than they should, we end up with 4).

Use shorter pieces when macheing around the fin and tail if it's too finicky (or have younger kids mache the nice easy body and save the hard parts for yourself).

Let mache dry (set outside on a nice sunny or breezy day and it will dry very quickly).

OPTIONAL: Apply a second coat of no more than 4 layers and let dry (one coat is enough, but the more coats you add the sturdier it will be ... especially if you've added mache limbs and tail). Let dry. Apply a third coat. Let dry.

The very top layer of mache can be done with white paper. This will make it easier to apply paint.



STEP 3: PAINT:
Paint with grey paint.

Decorate (add a white blow hole and black eyes or glue on wiggly eyes).

Paper Mache Alligator - MATERIALS:
The only "store bought" material is green paint (tempra, poster or finger paint all work well... acrylic paints work great, but don't wash out of clothes!!!) If you don't have green paint, green tissue paper or napkins will work too. My alligator took about 2 oz (100 ml) of green paint.

paint brush

OPTIONAL: white paint and red paint (the craft works fine without these)!

newspaper

ONE OF: egg carton (styrofoam) OR cardboard (empty cereal boxes work well!)

ONE OF: white tissue paper, white kleenex, white paper towel OR white toilet paper

scissors

tape (masking or scotch tape)

ONE OF: white glue, mod podge OR paper mache paste (1 part flour to 5 parts water... boil about 3 minutes and let cool)



STEP 1: BUILD THE FRAME:
Like I said, this is the first of a more complicated crafting series so if you have any suggestions to improve the instructions, please feel free to let me know! I recommend you quickly review all the instructions before starting the project.


Take one piece of newspaper. Cut it in half along the crease.

Take one 1/2 and roll it into a long, loose sausage

Take the other 1/2 and roll it into a long cone.


Fold the sausage in half (this will be the alligator's jaws ), but make the top half a bit longer (about 4 to 6 inches longer) than the bottom half.

Roll the longer piece to make the snout. Tape snout well!



Take a good look at your cone shape. There should be a V shape at the open end. Insert the jaws so the V side is on the top of the alligator. Tape the jaws and cone together well (top and bottom)
Now it should look like this

or here is the view from above

Alrighty! We're doing well...

Now press the alligator's back so it is flat (just below the jaws)

Fold the part just below the flattened back to the left and then fold in half again to the right (Z-shaped). Pinch/crease.
Let go so you get a zig zag tail if it didn't zig zag enough, pinch/crease it harder!

Now the eyes... Make two newspaper balls (about 1 inch balls) and tape them really well/tightly so they don't unscrunch. Then tape them to the top of the alligator's jaws.
And last the legs (your alligator may be a bit wobbly up to this point... don't worry!). Make two more newspaper sausages long enough to stick out at least an inch on either side of the alligator. Roll nice and tightly this time so he has sturdy legs. Tape well to the bottom of the alligator.
I should have put them a bit farther apart than I did, I think.

You're now done your frame (that's the toughest part, but it's amazing what you can do with newspaper, isn't it!?!)




STEP 2: MAKE HIM SOLID:
Take your white tissue paper (toilet paper, kleenex or paper towel will also work... we used toilet paper *grin*). The white paper (whichever kind you chose) will make him more solid and will make it easier to paint him (less paint required than if you were painting over newspaper).

Suggestion from a viewer:
"You could paper mache it with green crepe paper and just fill in the details with paint, and maybe it would make it harder." Thanks Robert!

Coat your alligator with mod podge, paper mache paste or white glue dilluted 1/2 and 1/2 with water (we choose the white glue/water solution and painted it on with paint brushes).



Lay 2 layers of toilet paper/tissue paper ALL OVER your alligator.
The tissue will soak onto the alligator in a minute or two. Use your paint brush and some more glue/water solution to get the toilet paper wetter when necessary and into all the crevices. Don't forget to do the inside of the mouth!. Use scissors to clip off exess as necessary.

Let dry (likely overnight). At various stages, you'll be letting him dry (now and while painting. I always propped his jaws open with a lightly crumpled piece of newspaper whenever he was drying so his jaws didn't stick shut.

STEP 3: PAINT HIM
Take your green paint and paint your alligator (except his eyeballs). If you have red paint, leave the inside of his mouth unpainted. If you don't have red paint, paint the inside of his mouth green.

If you don't have paint at all, you could use green tissue paper or napkins and the same paste/process as in STEP 2.

Let dry.

Turn him over and paint the bottom (his belly) if you want to. You can paint it a lighter green or a creamy colour if you want... BE CREATIVE (you said you wanted to be! *grin*)

Let dry.

If you have white paint and/or red paint, paint the inside of the mouth red and the eyeballs white (the eyeballs are pretty white without the paint, so it isn't the end of the world to skip painting them)Tasha liked painting the mouth!

Let dry.



Take some markers (or other colours of paint) and draw on some detail: black eyeballs on the eyes, nostrils on the snout and darker green splotches on the back and top of the jaw. I also drew a line down the center from his jaws to the tip of his tail.
Take a styrofoam egg carton and find some flat, white parts (you can substitute cardboard with white paper glued onto it!) Cut out teeth shapes...
...and glue them onto your aligator's jaws.
Guess what? You're done!

(You can cover with a few coats of clear varnish if you want a shiny alligator you can leave outside in the garden!)

Unmasking the Mask: Who Am I? Kids Arts & Crafts Activity Idea Tutorial

CRAFTS MATERIALS YOUR KIDS NEED TO MAKE THIS CHILDRENS' ARTS AND CRAFTS ACTIVITY:
Almost any materials can be used for this project. Use whatever is available to you, including egg cartons, shells, bottle caps, cans, twist-ties, brushes, rags, buttons, lids, dried flowers, empty milk cartons and soda bottles, old screening, nylons, rope, cardboard, paper plates, gauze, stamps, string, rubber bands, paper, beans, noodles, paint, crayons, pictures, pencils, glue, tape, flour, papier-mache or newspaper.

Pot-O-Hearts Kids Arts & Crafts Activity Idea Tutorial

Pot-O-Hearts is a great children's project and unique Valentine's Day decoration! Make one yourself and give it to the special someone in your life.

CRAFTS MATERIALS YOUR KIDS NEED TO MAKE THIS CHILDRENS' ARTS AND CRAFTS ACTIVITY:

* 2 ½" tall peat pot
* Rocks or marbles
* 2" Styrofoam ball
* Six 7mm eyes
* 2 green pipe cleaners
* Red and Pink craft foam
* Masking tape
* Glitter
* Glue
* One 6 ½" square green tissue or green napkin unfolded and cut into 4 even pieces
* Fine point permanent marker or ball point pen (for drawing face)

One Stroke™ Jewelry Kids Arts & Crafts Activity Idea Tutorial

Combine your One Stroke™ painting skills with jewelry making to create this beautiful bracelet and earring ensemble.

CRAFTS MATERIALS YOUR KIDS NEED TO MAKE THIS CHILDRENS' ARTS AND CRAFTS ACTIVITY:
* Plaid® FolkArt® Enamels™, Licorice
* Plaid® FolkArt® One Stroke™ Enamels™ Mini Brush Set
* Plaid® One Stroke™ Mini Designs Worksheet Pack
* Plaid® One Stroke™ Brush Caddy
* Plaid® One Stroke™ Loading Palette (optional)
* Halcraft® Glass Beads, Flat 25mm Round Lentil, Amber Shell
* Halcraft® Glass Beads (for filler), 14 mm Round Faceted, Amethyst
* Beading Wire
* Rounded Nose Pliers
* Crimp Beads, 2
* Toggle, 1
* Silver Fish Hook Earrings, 2
* Crimping Tool
* Side Cutters
* Paper Towels
* Rubbing Alcohol
* Foam Plates (for palette)

Holiday Gift Bags Kids Arts & Crafts Activity Idea Tutorial

Make the bag just as special as the gift. It's quick and easy using holiday stencils and stamps.

CRAFTS MATERIALS YOUR KIDS NEED TO MAKE THIS CHILDRENS' ARTS AND CRAFTS ACTIVITY:
* For All Projects:
* Gift Bags, Red, 2
* Gift Bag, Gold
* Gift Bag, Blue
* Delta Stencil Mania™ Happy Holidays
* Delta Stencil Mania™ Holly Ribbon
* Delta Stencil Mania™ Holiday Bears
* Delta Stencil Mania™ Snowflake Background
* Delta Stencil Mania™ Snowflake Background
* Delta Ceramcoat ® Acrylic Paint, Opaque Red
* Delta Ceramcoat ® Acrylic Paint, White
* Delta Ceramcoat ® Acrylic Paint, Bambi Brown
* Delta Ceramcoat ® Acrylic Paint, Fuchsia
* Delta Ceramcoat ® Acrylic Paint, Touch O Pink
* Delta Ceramcoat ® Acrylic Paint, Christmas Green
* Delta Ceramcoat ® Acrylic Paint, Metallic 14K Gold
* Delta Ceramcoat ® Acrylic Paint, Rhythm 'N Blue
* Delta Ceramcoat ® Acrylic Paint, Autumn Brown
* Stencil and Stamp Sponges
* Coordinating Ribbon
* Coordinating Buttons
* Cardstock, Green
* Cardstock, White, 4
* Scallop-Edged Scissors
* Straight-Edged Scissors
* Pencil
* Double-Stick Tape
* Double-Stick Foam Tape
* Glue Gun
* Glue Sticks
* Permanent Pen, Fine Black
* Disposable Plates
* Cotton Swabs
* Paper Towels
* Container of Water

3D Bangle Bracelets Kids Arts & Crafts Activity Idea Tutorial

Make old bangles look like runway projects with 3D paint and twine. Colors can be used to match any outfit.

CRAFTS MATERIALS YOUR KIDS NEED TO MAKE THIS CHILDRENS' ARTS AND CRAFTS ACTIVITY:
* Tulip® 3D Fashion Paint™ Slick®:
True Blue
Leaf Green
Navy Blue
Black
Royal Blue
Orange
Bright Red
Pink
Brown
* Tulip® 3D Fashion Paint™ Matte®:
Dandelion Yellow
* Tulip® 3D Fashion Paint™ Metallics™:
Gold
* Tulip® Fashion Form™
* Natural (colored) Apron
* Black Twine
* Masking Tape, low tack
* Scissors
* Foil
* Paper Towels
* Plastic Palette Knife
* Bangle Bracelets

A Warm Winter Welcome Kids Arts & Crafts Activity Idea Tutorial

Give these clever little snowmen a big hand -- they're made from mittens! Foam balls and other easy-to-find supplies make for an ultra-cute winter project.

CRAFTS MATERIALS YOUR KIDS NEED TO MAKE THIS CHILDRENS' ARTS AND CRAFTS ACTIVITY:
Pattern Required
* STYROFOAM Brand Foam- Balls, 2-1/2", four
* Basswood Sheet- 1/4" X 6" X 24"
* Acrylic Paints- Green, Red, White
* Opaque White Permanent Marker- 5mm
* Plaid Flannel Fabric- 6" X 12"
* Child Size Mittens- Two Each: Blue, Black
* Fiberfil Stuffing
* Flat Buttons, 1/2"- Four Each: Red, Black
* Black Beads, 3/16"- Eight
* Artificial Holly Berries, 1/4"- Four
* Plastic Snowflake Sequins- 22
* White Plastic-Coated Craft Wire- 18-Gauge, 12" Length
* Fine-Line Black Permanent Marker
* Pencil
* Ruler
* Wooden Skewers
* Paintbrushes: Medium Flat; Stiff Bristle Round
* Disposable Palette
* Water Basin
* Paper Towels
* Scissors
* Wire Cutters
* Utility Knife
* Drill With 3/16" Bit
* Fine Sandpaper
* White Transfer Paper
* Low-Temp Glue Gun and Glue Sticks
* Thick, White Craft Glue

Christmas Stocking Door Hanger Kids Arts & Crafts Activity Idea Tutorial

Dress up an interior door for the holidays with a one-of-a-kind Christmas stocking. These handcrafted decorations make wonderful gifts as well.

CRAFTS MATERIALS YOUR KIDS NEED TO MAKE THIS CHILDRENS' ARTS AND CRAFTS ACTIVITY:
* Crayola Model Magic® Fusion™ Modeling Compound
* Crayola No-Run School Glue
* Crayola Squeezables™ 3-D Paint
* Cookie Cutters
* Craft Sticks
* Paper Towels
* Ribbon
* Rolling Pin

Santa Tray Kids Arts & Crafts Activity Idea Tutorial

Paint this festive Santa Tray and add a touch of Ho-Ho-Ho fun to your holiday décor

CRAFTS MATERIALS YOUR KIDS NEED TO MAKE THIS CHILDRENS' ARTS AND CRAFTS ACTIVITY:
Pattern Required
* Delta Ceramcoat® Acrylic Paint, White
* Delta Ceramcoat® Acrylic Paint, Opaque Red
* Delta Ceramcoat® Acrylic Paint, Black
* 1” Flat Soft Bristle Brush
* #8 Flat Soft Bristle Brush
* #2 Round Brush
* 10/0 Liner Brush
* Water Container
* Palette Paper or Paper Plates
* Paper Towels
* Tracing Paper
* Transfer Paper
* Pencil
* Black Permanent Marker- Fine Tip
* Ruler
* Tape

Peppermint Placemats Kids Arts & Crafts Activity Idea Tutorial

Add some glitter and shine to your holiday table with these Peppermint Placemats.

CRAFTS MATERIALS YOUR KIDS NEED TO MAKE THIS CHILDRENS' ARTS AND CRAFTS ACTIVITY:
Pattern Required
* Tulip® Fashion Glitter Bond™
* Tulip® Fashion Glitter™ Apple Red Jewel
* Tulip® Fashion Glitter™ Emerald Green Jewel
* Tulip® Fashion Glitter™ Pink Jewel
* Tulip® Fashion Glitter™ Turquoise Jewel
* Tulip® Fashion Glitter™ Gold Fine Crystal
* Aleene’s® Thick Designer Tacky Glue™
* Tulip® 3-Dimensional Fabric Paint
* Clear Gellies™
* White Felt Yardage
* White Cardstock
* #3 Flat Brush
* 1” Wide Flat Brush
* Scissors
* Scratch Paper
* Self-Adhesive Shelf Paper
* Black Permanent Felt Pen
* Paper Clip
* Paper Towels
* Foil
* Stiff Brush

Christmas Card Box Kids Arts & Crafts Activity Idea Tutorial

When Christmas cards start arriving, we want to share them with family and friends, but we also need a pretty container to store them. The Creative HotKnife™ makes cutting foam core board very easy. Simply trace a stencil onto foam core board and cut out any letter of the alphabet.

CRAFTS MATERIALS YOUR KIDS NEED TO MAKE THIS CHILDRENS' ARTS AND CRAFTS ACTIVITY:
* Walnut Hollow® Creative HotKnife™
* Walnut Hollow® Creative Drill™
* Walnut Hollow® Creative Screwdriver™
* Walnut Hollow Cornice Box, Large
* Delta Stencil Magic 2” Whimsical Dot Alphabet
* Delta Ceramcoat® Bright Red, White
* DecoArt™ Craft Twinkles: Christmas Red, Christmas Green, Silver
* Christmas Scrapbook Embellishments
* Silver Jingle Bell
* 30” Silver Chain
* (12) ½” Silver Screws
* Brushes: 1 Medium Flat Brush, 1 Small Flat Brush
* Craft Glue
* Paper Towel
* Pencil
* Pliers
* Sandpaper
* Spray Varnish

Snow Village Kids Arts & Crafts Activity Idea Tutorial

The whole family will love to help you create this delightful Snow Village. It will become a treasured family piece for years to come.

CRAFTS MATERIALS YOUR KIDS NEED TO MAKE THIS CHILDRENS' ARTS AND CRAFTS ACTIVITY:
Pattern Required
* Delta Ceramcoat® Acrylic Paint, White
* Delta Ceramcoat® Acrylic Paint, Black
* Delta Ceramcoat® Acrylic Paint, Straw
* Delta Ceramcoat® Acrylic Paint, Green Isle
* Delta Ceramcoat® Acrylic Paint, Crimson
* Delta Ceramcoat® Acrylic Paint, Denim Blue
* Delta Ceramcoat® Acrylic Paint, Golden Brown
* Delta Ceramcoat® Acrylic Paint, Spice Brown
* Delta Ceramcoat® All-Purpose Sealer
* Delta Texture Magic Dimensional Paint™, White
* Delta Texture Magic Easy Twist Detailing Tips
* Delta Texture Magic easy Grip Spreaders
* Delta Sobo® Glue
* Delta Ceramcoat™ Sparkle Glaze
* Delta Stencil Magic™ Stencil Brushes, ¼-inch
* Wood Plaque, 9 x 12 - inch,
* Chunky Wood Christmas Trees, 3
* Chunky Wood Snowman, 1
* Don Mechanic® Birdhouse, 2 Hole
* Dowel 36 x 1/8-inch,1
* Sandpaper, Fine Grit
* Water container
* Paper towels
* Palette Paper or Paper Plates
* Soft Bristle Brush, 1-inch Flat
* Soft Bristle Brush, Round, No. 2
* Fan Brush or Old Tootbrush
* Tracing Paper
* Transfer Paper
* Pencil
* Ruler
* Low-Tack Tape, 1-inch
* Craft Knife
* Black Permanent Marker- Fine Point
* Drill with a 1/8-inch Drill Bit
* Needle-Nose Pliers