Create a colorful place mat using just paper, scissors and your creativity!
Supplies Needed:
- Three to four sheets of colorful paper or white paper to color
- Kid-friendly scissors
- Stickers, markers or crayons for decorating
- Glue or tape to secure the ends
Instructions:
- Pick your paper: Choose a bright-colored sheet of paper or decorate a plain one with crayons and markers.
- Fold and cut: Fold the paper in half like a book. Starting at the folded edge, use scissors to cut six straight or wavy lines, about 1 inch apart. Stop cutting 1 inch before the edge so the paper stays connected. This is your weaving base.
- Make strips: Take another sheet of paper and cut it into 1-inch-wide strips. These will be your weaving pieces.
- Start weaving: Take one strip and weave it over and under the cut slits in your base paper. Push it up to the top.
- Keep weaving: Use more strips and keep weaving, alternating over and under. Slide each strip close to the one before it. Once all the strips are woven in, use glue or tape at the ends to keep them in place.
- Decorate: Add stickers, draw designs or color patterns on your place mat.
A Special Idea: Share a Meal and Share Jesus
Your place mat is ready to use! But here’s something extra special — talk with your parents or guardians about who you could invite over for a meal. Maybe there’s a friend, neighbor or church member who would love to share a meal with your family. Just like Dorcas, you can use your hands to create something special — a place mat for your table — and share God’s love through hospitality.
As you eat together, you can talk about Jesus’ love, share a favorite Bible story or pray before eating. A simple meal and a kind heart can brighten someone’s day!
Who could you invite to share a meal with your family?
Gather your supplies to make a woven placemat. You will need a piece of paper, several 1-inch paper strips, scissors, stickers and tape or glue. Your 1-inch strips will be your weaving pieces.
After choosing your base paper, fold it in half like a book.
Starting at the folded edge, use scissors to cut six straight or wavy lines, about 1 inch apart. Stop cutting 1 inch before the edge so the paper stays connected. This is your weaving base.
Your weaving base should look like this once you open it up.
Take one strip and weave it over and under the cut slits in your base paper. Push it up to the top.
Use more strips and keep weaving, alternating over and under. Slide each strip close to the one before it.
After two strips, your place mat should look like this.
Use more strips and keep weaving, alternating over and under. Slide each strip close to the one before it.
Once all the strips are woven in, use glue or tape at the ends to keep them in place.
Add stickers, draw designs or color patterns on your place mat.
Add stickers, draw designs or color patterns on your place mat.
