Here is an activity that my children and I did over the weekend. I hadn't done it since I was a child myself, but it turned out pretty well. My children made a birthday card for their father with the paper they made.

How to Make Your Own Paper

What you need:

Bits of scrap paper (printing paper, newspaper, construction paper)

A frame (old picture frames work well)

Nylon screen or Wire Mesh

Staples or Tacks 

A tub or container to immerse the frame in

Blender

Warm Water

Sponge

Some Flannel or Felt Fabric pieces (same size as frame) 

Rolling Pin 

Liquid Starch (optional) 

Making the frame:

You can use an old picture frame, or make your own out of wood.

Staple or tack the Screen or Mesh to the frame making sure it is tight.

Instructions: 

1. Make sure the bits of paper are in small pieces and decide what you would liek to use. If using newspaper, the paper will come out grayish, if using colored paper, it will come out colored, etc.

2. Fill the blender halfway with the bits of paper. Fill with warm water.

3. Run the blender for about 30-40 seconds, or until the pulp is smooth. Start off at slower speeds and gradually increase. Make sure there are no big flakes of paper in the pulp.

4. Fill the tub or container with water. Half way should be enough, make sure you can submerge the frame.

5. Add 3 blender loads of pulp to the container. The more pulp you add, the thicker the paper will be. Stir the mixture. (Also add 2 teaspoons of starch if you want to use the paper for writing. It will not absorb ink this way.)

6. Place the frame into the container and submerge in water. Move the screen back and forth in order to get an evenlayer of pulp on the screen. Once it is even and at the desired thickness, slowly lift the frame making sure not to tilt it. All all excess water to drain or drip out before completely removing.7. Lay the frame on a flat surface, and use the sponge to remove any excess water on the top.

7. Place the fabric onto the screen (pulp side) and gently flip it over on to a flat surface. Use the sponge to soak up some excess water. (Wring the water back into the container).

8. Gently lift the screen (the paper should be left on the fabric). Place another piece of fabric on the paper and use a rolling pin ro squeeze out any excess water.  

If the paper stuck to the mold you may have pulled off the frame to fast, or not squeezed out enough water.

9. Gently peel the fabric off of the paper and place onto newspaper to finish drying or you can also hang the paper to dry (1-3 days depending on humidity). If you want to dry the paper faster try using a hair dryer, or stick it in the microwave for 1-2 minutes. 

* If you want to make fancier paper, try adding flower petals, grass, small pieces of thread, or small bits of construction paper. 

    If adding grass, thread, or construction paper, it can be added to the blender. Flower petals shoud be added to the mixture in the container.

* The paper should be brighter on one side than the other. The brighter side is better for writing. A ball point pen can be used without the paper absorbing too much ink even if liquid starch is not used.

* If you want to reduce the ink absorbency without using liquid startch, soak it in a solution of water and gelatin and then let it dry again.

Hope your children enjoy this as much as mine did! 

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