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Make paper

Make paper
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Make recycled paper from scrap paper by tearing, pulping, forming a sheet with a screen, pressing out water, and drying to reuse.

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Step-by-step guide to make recycled paper from scrap paper

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How To Make Easy Paper House For Kids / Nursery Craft Ideas / Paper Craft Easy / KIDS crafts

What you need
Absorbent cloth or old towel, adult supervision required, blender, large bowl or tub, optional dried flower petals or seeds, rolling pin or heavy book, scrap paper, screen or mesh sieve or window screen, shallow tray or baking pan, sponge, water

Step 1

Gather scrap paper and tear it into small pieces about thumb size.

Step 2

Put the torn paper into a large bowl and soak it in warm water for at least 30 minutes.

Step 3

With adult help, blend a small batch of the soaked paper with water until it becomes a smooth pulp.

Step 4

Fill a shallow tray with clean water about halfway.

Step 5

Lay the screen flat across the top of the tray so it sits steady.

Step 6

Pour the blended pulp into the tray so the fibers mix into the water.

Step 7

Slowly lift the screen straight up through the pulp-water so a thin layer of fibers collects on the screen.

Step 8

Lay the screen pulp-side down onto an absorbent cloth on a flat surface.

Step 9

Press the pulp through the screen with a sponge or rolling pin to remove extra water.

Step 10

Carefully peel the screen away so the wet paper sheet stays on the cloth.

Step 11

Cover the wet sheet with another cloth.

Step 12

Place a heavy book on top to press for 10 minutes.

Step 13

Remove the book and let the sheet dry completely in the sun or a warm place for about 24 hours.

Step 14

Gently peel the dried paper sheet from the cloth.

Step 15

Share your finished recycled paper on DIY.org

Final steps

You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!

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Help!?

What can we use if we don't have a screen or a blender?

If you don't have a screen, stretch a piece of window screen or a fine mesh strainer over the shallow tray, and if you lack a blender you can mash the soaked paper with a potato masher or use a food processor with adult help during the blending step.

What should we do if the pulp keeps falling through the screen or the sheet rips when peeling?

Make the pulp thicker by blending less water, lift the screen more slowly through the pulp-water, and press longer with the sponge or rolling pin and heavy book before carefully peeling the screen away.

How can we adapt the activity for different age groups?

For preschoolers let them tear paper and press with the sponge while an adult handles soaking, blending, and the heavy book, ages 6–10 can help pour the pulp and lift the screen with supervision, and ages 11+ can blend independently and try thinner layers and different drying methods from the instructions.

How can we enhance or personalize the recycled paper after following the basic steps?

After pouring the blended pulp and lifting the screen, sprinkle dried flower petals, seeds, colored threads, or a drop of food coloring onto the wet sheet before covering with the top cloth and pressing to create decorated sheets or shaped cards to share on DIY.org.

Watch videos on how to make recycled paper from scrap paper

Here at SafeTube, we're on a mission to create a safer and more delightful internet. 😊

10 Easy Shape Crafts for Kids | DIY Paper Toys

4 Videos

Facts about paper recycling

💧 Freshly formed sheets are mostly water — pressing squeezes out water so they dry faster and stay flat.

🌳 Most paper starts as wood pulp made from trees — recycling helps save forests and resources.

🔁 Paper fibers can usually be recycled about 5–7 times before they get too short to make new paper.

🖼️ Traditional hand papermakers use a mould and deckle (a screen frame) to form each sheet by hand.

🌱 You can embed seeds, flower petals, or threads into handmade paper to make plantable 'seed paper' gifts.

How do you make recycled paper from scrap paper with a child?

Start by tearing scrap paper into small pieces and soaking them in warm water for a few hours. Use a blender (adult only) to make a pulp, thinning with water. Pour pulp over a framed screen (mould and deckle) held flat; shake gently to distribute fibers. Lift screen to drain, then couch the wet sheet onto a piece of felt or absorbent cloth. Press excess water with another cloth and a rolling pin or heavy books, then let dry completely before peeling and using.

What materials do I need to make recycled paper at home?

Materials include: scrap paper (newspapers, printer paper, tissue), a blender or hand beater, a large tub for soaking, a mould and deckle or make a screen from an old picture frame and fine mesh, absorbent felts or towels, a rolling pin or heavy books for pressing, a sponge to remove water, warm water, optional additions like food coloring, flower petals, or seeds. Include safety items like gloves and a mat for mess.

What ages is making recycled paper suitable for?

Suitable for children about 5 and up with close adult supervision; younger kids (2–4) can enjoy tearing paper, mixing pulp by hand, and pressing with help. Elementary-aged children (6–10) can handle the blender step with an adult and try forming sheets. Teens can lead the whole process independently. Always supervise use of blenders, scissors, and hot water. Adjust tasks so small children do safe, tactile parts while adults manage equipment.

What are the benefits of making recycled paper with kids?

Making recycled paper teaches kids about sustainability and reduces waste while turning scraps into something useful. It builds fine motor skills through tearing and pressing, boosts creativity by mixing colors or adding textures, and offers sensory play with wet pulp. The process also teaches patience and sequencing, and the finished sheets become personalized cards or art. It's an affordable STEM craft that encourages problem-solving and pride in reusing materials, plus family bonding through
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Make paper. Activities for Kids.