Make hand-woven placemats

Kids will love setting the table with hand-woven placemats they have made themselves. Here’s how to make them.

What you need:

• Different coloured construction paper (1 sheet should be extra large)
• Scissors
• Ruler (optional)
• Glue or tape
• Photo or picture (optional)
• Contact paper

Number of players:
1+

Activity:

Start with a large piece of construction paper, fold it in half.

While the paper is still folded, draw a series of lines across the fold, but do not draw them all the way to the edge – leave about 3cm at the edge.

For a very neat-looking placemat, use a ruler to draw the guidelines.

Cut along the lines.

When you’re finished cutting, unfold the piece of paper.

Using other colours of paper, cut several strips of paper that are about 2.5cm wide and the same length as the height of the large piece of paper used in the previous step.

Start weaving the strips of paper onto the large piece of paper.

Make sure that each new piece of paper is pushed up next to the previously woven piece.

When you’re done weaving, secure each strip of woven paper using glue or tape.

You might also have to trim the woven edges a bit to make the edges of the placemat even.

Now decorate your placemat.

Place a picture or photo in the centre of the mat when finished.

Cover with contact paper for easy cleaning and durability.