Ever wonder how paper is recycled or how to make recycled paper at home? In this mini thematic unit, you will find fun activities to learn all about making paper with kids and other fun ways to teach recycling. It’s perfect for an Earth Day theme!
Kids will have tons of fun making their own paper and kids will beg to do this recycling paper project over and over again. Experiment with using different kinds of paper to start with to see if you can change the texture of your final paper. What material makes the ultimate recycled paper? It’s the perfect addition to your spring STEM activities!
This activity is one of our favorite technology activities for kids!
HOW TO MAKE RECYCLED PAPER AT HOME
For this project, you will make your own recycled paper from cardboard egg cartons and kids will learn how recycled paper is made by making it themselves!
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WHAT YOU NEED TO MAKE RECYCLED PAPER AT HOME
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HOW TO MAKE RECYCLED PAPER WITHOUT A SCREEN
Tear the egg carton into tiny pieces. You will want about 2-3 cups of paper pieces. Place the pieces in a blender.
Boil about 2 cups of hot water.
While the water is heating, assemble your craft stick frame. We used eight sticks to make a large square and glued it with hot glue. We then glued the frame to our sheer fabric and cut off the excess fabric.
Once the water is boiling, pour it into your blender with your paper pieces. The hot water will start to turn the carton into pulp. Place the lid on the blender and blend the paper pieces and water until it creates a soup-like mixture.
Place the frame over a large bowl. Pour the paper pulp over the frame and use the rolling pin to spread the pulp evenly across the frame. We had to used a second piece of fabric to keep the paper from sticking to the rolling pin. Let the water drip out of the frame. If your frame bends, place it on a glass baking pan turned upside down. This will allow the water to strain out and down the sides of the pan without allowing the paper to sit in water, which will prevent it from drying.
Allow the paper to dry completely, which may take 24 or more hours. We ended up drying ours in the oven set to 200 degrees Fahrenheit. When the paper is dry, slowly peel it off the frame and use it for whatever purpose you desire!
