Tissue paper recycling crafts for youth workers and foster carers

What shall we do today that is quick, easy, encourages recycling and provides opportunities for teachable moments? Sound a familiar thought? Apart from the parents among us, youth workers and foster carers are always on the lookout for such activities to use with traumatised children.

Youth workers; build up a repertoire of crafts and always have your craft box handy. Craft is perfect for opportunistic therapeutic talking and repair moments because the child or young person does not have to look directly at you and can pretend they are lost in the throngs of crafting. Plus, it is very healing and satisfying to see something that you have made yourself. A completed craft project provides a sparkling moment of proof of capabilities.

Here’s a couple of tissue paper craft activities. They can be made as presents for biological families, friends, teachers…or as special achievements/proof that the child can make and be surrounded by beautiful things.

Tissue Paper Bowl

Materials:

• Tissue paper (just one colour – use large sheets like are in shoie boxes or presents come wrapped in)
• PVA glue (or similar – ALWAYS tell your case manager when using glue though)
• Paint brush
• Small plastic container
• Scissors
• Bowl (to use as mold)
• Cling wrap

What to do:

• Cut tissue paper into strips, then cut strips into pieces, smoothing out as much as possible.
• In the container mix equal parts water and glue. Blend it together with the paint brush.
• Turn your bowl upside down and cover it with cling wrap. It is a good idea to cover the bowl in paper or powder first so that the cling wrap doesn’t stick. The more taught the cling wrap is over the bowl, the easier the surface will be to work on.
• Using the paint brush, coat the top of the bowl (which will be the base once finished!) with glue mix and cover with tissue paper. The first layer is the hardest as the glue mix tends to bead and run down the cling wrap and the tissue paper is quite fragile. Patience and care will be required! Be sure to congratulate the young person who manages this task in a regulated and interested way.
• Once you place a paper square on the mold, use the paint brush to stick it down. Keep applying glue as you go.
• To create a reasonably sturdy bowl you will need to apply 7-8 layers of paper. Don’t worry too much though, if you find it is too thin once dry you can always just add another layer.
• When finished, allow to dry (overnight at least), carefully lift away the mold and peel away the cling wrap. BEAUTIFUL.

Recycled Jar Candle Holder

Materials:

• Recycled glass jar (jam jar or similar)
• Tissue paper (one colour is fine, although a few different colours look great)
• Scissors
• PVA glue (or similar: ALWAYS tell your case manager when using glue though)
• Paint brush (for applying glue)
• Small container (for glue mixture)

Process:

• Clean jar and remove label
• Cut tissue paper into strips, then cut jagged edges off the strips to make triangles/quadrangles/interesting shapes
• In the container, mix equal parts glue and water
• Using a paint brush, coat one section of the jar with glue mixture
• Lay the pieces of tissue paper on the jar, overlapping them so no glass is visible
• Keep applying glue as you work. Coating the tissue paper will help it lay flat against the glass and help overlapping pieces to stick. Tip: When working around edges and in crevices, lay the tissue paper over the area and use the paint brush to mold it into place.
• Give the jar a final coat with glue and allow to dry.

Adult: Light a tea light candle and carefully drop it into the jar. If it has an uneven base (making the candle tip and blow out) you can add some sand to level it.

Simple and fun activities that recycle the past and make something new and useful again: pretty much like the child abuse past of children’s lives really….out of things that have been used and pushed aside, beautiful and useful people can be restored

Many thanks to my Kewl friends for putting the method and photos together. You women have no idea how glad I am to have you in my life and in the wider sector of child protection.