"Paper people" are hiding in your family's recycling bin. Help your kids find them!
What you'll need:
- Large paper shopping bag or grocery bag (don't worry about designs on the outside)
- Scissors
- Handheld hole punch; if you don't have one, use sharp-tipped scissors to punch holes
- Several paper clips
- Yarn or twine
- Several sheets of newspaper
- Masking tape
- Markers or crayons
What you'll do:
- Cut off the bottom of the bag and trim off any handles. Cut along one corner so the bag lays flat. Fold the bag in half and draw a large outline of a person, like a giant gingerbread man, with rounded hands and feet.
- Cut through both layers of the bag to get two "paper people" patterns.
- Using paper clips to hold the two pieces together, punch holes all around the outside edge, about one inch apart and one inch in from the edge. Remove paper clips.
- Place each pattern plain side up (any advertising logos on the outside of the bag will be hidden inside when sewn together). Have kids use markers or crayons to decorate the front and back of their paper person.
- Cut a long length of yarn or twine and wrap a piece of masking tape around one end to use as a "needle." Place the paper patterns on top of each other, with the ad logos facing inside. Sew the pieces together, lacing the yarn through the holes.
- When you have about 10 holes left, stop sewing and stuff the paper person with small balls made from crumpled newspaper. Finish sewing it together and tie a knot at the end.
- For extra fun, tie on some lengths of yarn at the top of the head for "hair."
