Homemade Recycled Paper-Making With Children

Step 1

Place small torn-up pieces of recycled scrap paper into a blender so it fills it halfway. Fill the blender with warm water, and let the paper soak for about a half an hour. Blend the paper until it creates a smooth substance. This is called pulp. Make three to four batches of pulp.

Step 2

Stretch a piece of window screen tightly over a wooden frame. Affix the window screen to the frame using duct tape.

Step 3

Fill a deep pan halfway with water, add the pulp and stir.

Step 4

Put the screened frame over the pulp mixture in the pan. Submerge the screen in the mixture, and smooth out the mixture over the frame.

Step 5

Lift the framed screen out of the pan slowly and carefully. Let the water drain off of the screen into the pan. Use a sponge to press on the pulp mixture to remove excess water.

Step 6

Place the framed screen on a pile of newsprint, and cover with a second piece of window screen. Put a stack of newsprint on top.

Step 7

Turn an iron to warm setting, and carefully iron the newsprint. Doing so will help remove moisture from the paper.

Step 8

Remove the top stack of newsprint, and gently peel the handmade paper from the screen. Place the paper on a fresh piece of newsprint to dry.