Red, White and Blue Woven Paper Placemats

Perfect for those kids who just want to "veg," have them weave paper strips into a placemat for a party table or for any meal on July 4th.

Directions

• Materials to Make 1 Placemat:

  • 2 sheets of 12-inch long red, white, and blue construction paper or July 4th themed paper
  • Scotch tape
• Purchase the paper and the materials listed at the craft store or have your kids create a design on white paper.
• Cut 2 pieces of paper into 12-inch-long-by-1-inch-wide strips.
• Line up half of the strips side-by-side (almost as if you were reassembling the paper) and tape the strips along one end to your work surface. This will keep them in place as you weave.
• Take a strip of paper from the half that isn't taped down. Start weaving the strip across the taped down strips going under and over the strips until you reach the last strip. Gently push the strip to the top near the tape.
• Repeat the process with a new strip only start the weave opposite of how you did the first. So if you started the first strip under, start the next strip over and continue weaving through the taped down strips.
• Continue until all strips are woven and secure the strips with tape on the underside around the placemat. To preserve it, laminate it!