by S D Rios

Created on: July 07, 2006   Last Updated: April 12, 2007

1. Make a pinata - Make your basic foundation using balloons, cardboard rolls, and newpaper. You create the shape of the animal or whatever you choose. Cover the form with strips of newpaper dipped in a solution of white glue and a little water. When the shape has hardened. Cut through the paper to make an opening where you can fill your pinata with candy and little prizes. Pop and remove the balloon at this time so that you have a hollow space to fill later. Use strips of colorful tissue paper in fringes or little balls and cover the form using glue. Allow to dry. Fill with candy etc. and seal the opening with tape. Cover with tissue paper and add a string to hang. Have kids use a stick to hit at the pinata while blindfolded. When it breaks, enjoy the goodies!

2. Make origami. There are many great books and websites with simple to complex patterns. Here are a few easy patterns to start with: http://web-jpn.org/kidsweb/virtual/origami2/download .html

3. Make collages. Use pieces of all kinds and colors of paper, aluminum, plastic, yarn, fabric, and whatever else you have on hand to create wonderful collages. Don't use scissors and see if the kids can tear shapes of animals, etc.

4. Make whirlygigs, Chinese lanterns, wreaths, all kinds of ideas on this website:
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/pape rcrafts/

5. Put a big roll of paper outside on the grass and have the kids come up with different ways of applying the paint- rolling it with a pine cone, flicking it on with a straw, dragging it on with pine needles. Very educational to see what sorts of patterns are made with what objects! Fun too!

6. Use watercolors to paint paper towels. Then cut into shapes such as butterflies, adding a stick body in the middle. I recently saw this done in the newspaper and it looked great! Or bunch the paper up and make a flower by wrapping the bunched end with a pipe cleaner as a stem.

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