How now? Brown... paper!
Paper dolls are adorable and so easy to make. If you need reminding of the process, stay tuned for my next blog (to be posted in a week or so).
I’m a big fan of using everyday materials for artmaking. They are affordable, accessible and they often mean you can be spontaneous with your kids, enabling them to get creative at any time and catch the spark of inspiration whenever it ignites.
Brown paper is an everyday material that’s often overlooked but exudes a certain wholesome charm.
Its rustic colour is a lovely earthy hue that feels somehow nostalgic to me, and I’m not alone. Sing along with the Von Trapps to to the lyrics: “brown paper packages tied up with string” if you need more convincing!!
Brown paper seems trustworthy and reliable. It comes in a huge range of thicknesses and weights, from the thinnest tissue to the most robust cardboard and everything between.
It’s a resource that may enter your household from time to time as packaging, wrapped around anything from parcels to flowers, shopping bags to shoes, or constructing boxes and bags… and it tends to be a bit more durable, tear-resistant and robust than white paper.
When brown paper does arrive, and its core purpose is complete, it heads off to the recycling bin… but it is a super material to save, smooth, stash and re-use for lots of crafting projects with the kids.
Here are a few ideas on ways for kids to get creative with brown paper and cardboard:
A paper bag treasure hunt is easy and fun. Just list some treasures to be searched for on the outside and set off the hunters to search, find and collect them in the bag.
Paper hats are simple to make and fun to decorate and wear. If you need a refresher on how to make them from just one sheet of paper visit my post from November 2016.
Cardboard makes a sturdy base for collage, just add colourful scraps of paper (chopped up paintings are perfect) and a glue stick. The colours will really pop from an earthy brown background.
Even the inside of a cereal box makes a fresh clean surface for painting or collage. Offer a combination of cardboard and fabric scraps to little artists, and see what they come up with.
Circles cut from cardboard boxes make perfect pretend pizza bases. You can glue components together, or leave unglued to be re-used time and time again. Offer some scrappy paper toppings and you’ll have the kids taking orders before you can say Mamma Mia!
Commission your kids to jazz up a sheet of plain brown paper by printing, painting or drawing. It makes the best and most unique wrapping paper ever.
By stuffing some scrunched up paper into a paper bag it becomes a three dimensional form. This chook was made in a whiz.
