Paper Crafts For Kids

Making paper chains is a fun and easy way to decorate for holidays and other special days. By using the right colors, you can make a paper chain work for any occasion. This is also a great project for kids, because it helps them learn to use scissors and rulers and develops hand-eye coordination. Here's how to do it.

Supplies

* Construction paper in various colors
* Ruler
* Scissors (blunt-tipped ones if small children will be doing the cutting)
* Markers
* Glitter glue
* Glue stick, craft glue or stapler and staples

Instructions

* Decide how wide you want to make your links. An inch is a nice, even number, but you could make them smaller or slightly larger if you like.

* With a piece of construction paper lying lengthwise, measure the desired width from the bottom. Mark on both sides, then use the ruler to draw a straight line from one side to the other.

* Measure the same width again, this time starting from the line you just drew. Repeat until you have the desired number of links in that color, or until you've measured out as many as possible with one sheet.

* Cut along the lines.

* Make more links out of at least one more color of construction paper.

* Use markers and glitter glue to decorate the links any way you like. Be sure to leave 1/4 to 1/2 inch on one end undecorated to account for overlap. Let dry.

* Put some glue one the undecorated end of the first strip. Loop the other end around so that the decoration is on the outside. Press the decorated end down on the glued end so that it sticks. Or, if you prefer, you can use a stapler to attach the ends.

* Run the next strip through the first one, with the decorated side facing outwards. Attach the ends as you did before.

* Continue adding links until the chain is the desired length.

Tips

* If you're using two or three colors, alternate them for best results. If you're using lots of different colors, you could alternate them or use them in random order.

* Try pastel colors for Easter and other spring celebrations. Red and green are perfect for Christmas, and orange and black are great for Halloween.

* If you're concerned about making too many links for the length you need, make five or six to start with and go ahead and assemble them. Measure the chain, and use that measurement to calculate how many links you will need altogether.

* Drape your finished paper chain over a doorway, run it around a banister or put it around a Christmas tree or other decorative tree.

Sending a greeting card is a great way to show someone how much you care. There are scores of designs in stores for every occasion. Still, it can be difficult to find just the right one. Sometimes we have an idea in our heads and just can't find anything that comes close to it. This is why many crafters get started making their own cards.

As children, many of us made cards for our families on special occasions. Yet as we get older, we tend to stop. Some just don't have the time to dedicate to card making, while others feel that they can't make anything that could compare to those fancy store-bought cards. But card making doesn't have to be complicated, and although it takes more time and thought than picking one from the store, it's really not all that time-consuming.

What You Need

Making beautiful cards starts with the right kind of paper. You'll need card stock or pre-scored cards. These can be found in a wide variety of colors, designs and sizes. But some card makers stick to one or two colors of card stock and invest in a paper cutter to use for making smaller cards.

Envelopes are also a must. Just like card stock, they are available in a wide variety of designs and sizes. Some card makers, however, choose to make them instead of buying them. You can purchase easy to use templates to use if you would like to make your own envelopes.

You'll also need some paper to use for accents. Rice paper and vellum are nice to use on the inside of cards, and are found in many of the cards you see in stores. Patterned papers are good for making your own punch-outs.

Punches may be used to punch designs out of paper to attach to the cards, or to punch designs out of the cards themselves. Some are specially designed to reach farther in from the edges. Corner punches are used to make rounded or decorative corners.

Next you'll need some adhesives. A good glue stick is a must. It will hold die cuts and other embellishments without making a mess. But liquid glue may be required for some embellishments. If you plan to do any layering, you might like to use double-sided tape.

Rubber stamps are great for decorating cards the quick and easy way. You can get them in all sorts of motifs from craft or scrapbooking supply stores. You'll also need some ink pads and a few colors of ink.

There are many more types of embellishments that may be used in card making. Embossing supplies, stickers and calligraphy pens are just a few of the ones that are available. But you'll only need a few supplies to get started making your own beautiful greeting cards.