Paper can be used in countless ways. Folding, writing, recycling, and even building are just the tip of the iceberg. A new way to utilize paper can be particularly beneficial if you're looking for something to do or if you have special paper you want to turn into something interesting. Read this article to discover how to creatively use that scrap of paper lying on your desk.
Create Something from Paper
Step 1. Try Origami.
Get into origami. Origami is the Japanese art of folding paper into shapes. Mastering origami techniques allows you to create countless items from a simple sheet of paper (cranes, butterflies, a fox head, and much more). Here are some ideas:
- A classic swan;
- A rose for a loved one;
- An adorable bunny;
- A photo frame;
- A samurai helmet;
- A regular paper box or a star-shaped box for small gifts to friends and family;
- Paper claws for a Halloween costume.
Step 2. Try Decoupage and Create a Journal or Keepsake Box.
Engage in decoupage and make a journal or a keepsake box. If you have paper items that hold sentimental value (brochures, tickets, notes, photos, bills, and letters), you can create a box to store them along with jewelry or other important items. Find a suitable base, think about how you'll decorate it with paper, and start decoupaging.
- You can use additional tools like paint, glitter, and other items (buttons, artificial flowers) to make the box even more interesting. Some decorations will need to be attached with hot glue.
- You could also compile all your keepsakes into an album if you don't want to damage them. Look for an album with plenty of plastic pockets. Keep the album away from moisture, as condensation on the plastic can damage the paper.
Step 3. Try Making Papier-Mâché.
Engage in making papier-mâché. Papier-mâché involves layering pieces of paper with glue over each other and applying them to a specific object or shaping them into a particular form. When it dries, it hardens and can be used for various purposes. However, be warned that making papier-mâché is not the cleanest process, so be prepared for a bit of a mess. You can create many things from papier-mâché:
- Switch covers;
- Shells;
- Masks;
- Pencil holders;
- Boxes.
Step 4. Make a Greeting Card as a Unique Alternative to Store-Bought Cards.
Create a greeting card as a unique alternative to store-bought cards. You can use original techniques, such as a 3D effect.
- The simplest way is to take a regular sheet of paper and fold it in half. You can then decorate the resulting card with paints, pencils, markers, or other embellishments.
Step 5. Create Paper Toys.
Make toys from paper. There are entire books on creating complex paper toys (like robots), but you can also make simple toys from a regular sheet of paper:
- A fortune teller;
- A paper football;
- Paper airplanes and boats.
Step 6. Make a Piece of Art from Paper.
Create a piece of art from paper. You can make it in 2D or 3D. This isn't about origami! We're talking about complex works that can be compared to painting, but with paper shapes instead of lines drawn with a brush or pencil.
- If you're working in 2D, cut out the necessary shapes from paper using different colors. If you want to depict a face, you'll need to cut out eyes (possibly from different sheets of paper), a nose, mouth, skin, hair (preferably from colored paper), and other elements. The more fragments you have, the more detailed your image will be.
- If you want to create something in 3D, cut thin strips (the width of 2-3 strands of spaghetti) and attach them to one or two sheets of paper. Fold, bend, and twist them, and you'll have a three-dimensional figure.
Keep Yourself Occupied
Step 1. Start Drawing!
Start drawing! Grab a pencil or colored pens and just start sketching. Express yourself and draw what inspires you. You might try drawing less realistic things—like cartoon characters or comic book heroes—or objects in the room. Draw your friends and family. Head outdoors and draw what you see there. Once you're finished, you can proudly display your work (maybe even in an origami frame)!
Step 2. Play Paper Games.
Play paper games. Is Tic-Tac-Toe the only game you know? Think again. There are plenty of games you can enjoy with just paper and a pen.
- Try hosting a haiku competition— a poetic contest.
- You can create puzzles yourself, like Sudoku.
Step 3. Play Paper Football.
Play paper football. You can play football with paper. Just fold a piece of paper into a pyramid or roll it into a ball and start passing it around. You can even make goals from paper if you have enough sheets.
Step 4. Play Battleship.
Play Battleship. All you need for this game is a pen, a sheet of paper, and a partner. Draw a grid and place letters on one side and numbers on the other. Arrange your ships and start playing. Just play fair!
Step 5. Play Dots.
Play Dots. Draw a grid of evenly spaced dots (for example, 20 by 20 dots). Each player takes turns connecting two dots. Whoever connects four dots to form a square gets that square. The player with the most squares wins.
Step 6. Make a Paper Gun and Have a War with Friends.
Make a paper gun and have a war with friends. You can make a gun using paper, scissors, and tape. Armed with this paper gun, you can start a war in the office or play with friends. Be careful—don't hit anyone in the eye!
Use Paper Wisely
Step 1. Recycle Paper.
Recycle paper. Did you know that every ton of paper costs the lives of 17 trees? If you don’t plan to use any paper again, it doesn’t mean you should just throw it away. By recycling it, you give it a second life—it can be made into various items. Unwanted paper can be transformed into new paper or even beads.
Step 2. Write Stories.
Write stories. Paper is meant for writing! You probably already know this, so grab a pen and let your imagination flow! Come up with a story and think about the characters. Make sure you have a starting point and an ending, and decide what will happen in the middle. Enjoy the process, and don’t strain your hand too much! Once you're done, share your work with friends and family to get their feedback. Hooray!
- Not into writing stories? There are other genres you can explore: poetry or haiku;
- Short stories;
- Your own journal;
- Comics.
Step 3. Curl Your Hair with Paper.
Curl your hair with paper. Here’s a little-known fact: you can curl your hair by wrapping it around a regular paper bag, achieving the same effect as a curling iron. It’s best to do this when your hair is still damp. Apply a bit of styling product to your hair, curl it, and then blow-dry it. Your curls will be significantly softer and healthier since you won’t be applying heat from metal. Enjoy your new eco-friendly hairstyle!
Step 4. Work on Your Handwriting.
Work on your handwriting. You can use paper to improve your handwriting. You can make your handwriting neater or practice a new style. Create a new signature; imagine what your signature would look like if you were a celebrity; or try your hand at calligraphy.
Step 5. Conduct a Science Experiment.
Conduct a science experiment. You can perform several experiments using paper. This may not sound very exciting, but it can actually be fun. Try making invisible ink using lemon juice (the writing will magically appear when you hold the paper over heat) or see how many times you can fold a regular sheet of paper. You can even attempt to replicate the trick of pulling a tablecloth out from under a glass using a sheet of paper instead of a tablecloth.
Step 6. Practice Counting.
Practice counting. A fun game can help you develop your math skills. Draw a circle in the center and surround it with petals to create a flower. The more petals, the more complex the challenge. Write any number in the center of each petal. Now you need to create equations that equal the number in the center by adding, subtracting, multiplying, or dividing using all the petals.
