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Easy Paper Bag Weaving

February 6, 2012 by Anna Ranson

It’s time for another creative challenge from the wonderful Tinkerlab! 
This time the simple request was to make something creative from a paper bag. 
That’s it! 
There are so many different things that can be done with a humble brown paper bag, from story puppets to animal masks, but I needed to find an idea that was age appropriate for Cakie to try independently, and with more of an emphasis on art, learning and technique. 
So we came up with the idea to have our first go at simple weaving, using the bag as a framework. 

I found a pile of old artwork that the girls had completed (for once being a hoarder paid off!) and decided to use these as the materials to weave through the bag. They could add variety in colour, style and texture as well as being a great way to upcycle and showcase old work.

 I cut slits into it from top to bottom on each side, 4 slits on the longer sides and 3 on the short ends.

 I cut the artwork into long strips, all roughly the same width and length. Most were on A4 size paper so I made them the length of A4, and was able to cut 4 pieces of equal size widthwise.

 I demonstrated how to thread the paper under, over and under again through the slits and she was very keen to do it all by herself (the most common thing we hear around here these days!)

 It was definitely tricky to learn the skill but she did it and was very proud of herself. The thickness of the artwork pieces and the nice wide slits made it just manageable for this 3 year old!

 I love how some of the pieces have collage materials such as feathers and stickers on them, adding some real interest and variety to the finished weaving.

 I asked Cakie what she wanted to do with the bag. Do you want to display it? Hang it up? Turn it into a hot air balloon?

No, I want it to be my treasure bag!

So, she ran around and filled it with all her special things, starting with her pirate treasure box and her very special sleeping blankie. By the end of the morning it was SO full that she could barely lift it without beginning to rip it! It is now residing in her bedroom with her special possessions at close hand all of the time.

Now take some time to look through the wonderful array of ideas that have been linked up from the following creative blogs! Never again will you look at a paper bag in the same light!

Tinkerlab

Do you have a post about using a paper bag in a creative or playful way? Feel free to join in the challenge! Link up your idea below and then hop over to Tinkerlab to check the details of entry.

Paint Cut Paste, Imagination Soup, Hands On: As We Grow, Child Central Station, Putti Prapancha, Irresistible Ideas for Play-Based Learning, Teach Preschool, The Chocolate Muffin Tree, Nurture Store, Small Types, The Imagination Tree, Toddler Approved, Red Ted Art, Sun Hats and Wellie Boots, Come Together Kids, Mommy Labs, Kids in the Studio, Rainy Day Mum, Glittering Muffins, Sense of Wonder, Mom To 2 Posh Lil Divas, Come Together Kids, Kitchen Counter Chronicles, A Mom With A Lesson Plan, Angelique Felix, The Golden Gleam, Share and Remember, Clarion Wren, Living at the Whitehead’s Zoo, Let Kids Create, De tout et de rien, PlayDrMom, Rainbows Within Reach, No Time for Flash Cards, Creativity My Passion, Messy Kids, The Outlaw Mom,Glitter, Mud, and Duct Tape A Childhood List Kiwi Crate, Tinkerlab

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Filed Under: Art and Craft, Creativity, Paper, Recycled Crafts, Weaving

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Comments

  1. Roopa Shri says

    February 6, 2012 at 4:20 pm

    That is great idea! I love the collage strips you have chosen for weaving:)) Have been wanting to try paper weaving with Putti for a long time now, thanks for the remainder.

    • Anna @ The Imagination Tree says

      February 6, 2012 at 9:30 pm

      Thanks Roopa! Look forward to seeing what you create!

  2. Chrissy @ The Outlaw Mom Blog says

    February 6, 2012 at 4:48 pm

    Great idea for little ones – love that you precut the slits so your daughter could do the weaving on her own. I will have to try this! Thanks for sharing 🙂

    • Anna @ The Imagination Tree says

      February 6, 2012 at 9:34 pm

      Thank you! hope you enjoy it!

  3. maggy, red ted art says

    February 6, 2012 at 7:36 pm

    Oh how very lovely!! It looks gorgeous and what a great way to introduce weaving to young children. I want Red Ted to have a go!! ASAP!

    Maggy x

    • Anna @ The Imagination Tree says

      February 6, 2012 at 9:35 pm

      Thank you! And I should have said THANK YOU very much for giving me the paper bag in the first place!

  4. Monica J @ Sofamilyonline says

    February 6, 2012 at 8:33 pm

    This is a great idea. I absolutely love doing the weaving with a paper bag. Thanks for the step by step pictures on how to do this. I will absolutely try this with my preschoolers. Fun!

    • Anna @ The Imagination Tree says

      February 6, 2012 at 9:35 pm

      Thanks Monica!

  5. Rebekah says

    February 6, 2012 at 10:53 pm

    I am pinning this!!! We haven’t tried weaving, and I think this is the perfect activity to introduce it.

  6. Stacy@{Share&Remember} says

    February 7, 2012 at 3:13 pm

    Very creative! End result is beautiful.

  7. 2flowerslearn.com says

    February 8, 2012 at 9:45 pm

    Love it. Weaving is so much fun and great for fine motor skills.the sl All you need to do to adapt for older children is make more slits in the bag and paper strips smaller in width.

  8. Kyra says

    June 4, 2012 at 8:31 pm

    A plain shop carrier bags could transform into a creative and unique bag. This is an easy stuff because a 3 year old can also manage this task. She looks adorable. 🙂

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About The Imagination Tree Hello and welcome! I'm Anna, Mama of 4, early years teacher and play enthusiast from the UK! Click here to read more about me.

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