Paper Bowls

In case you are wondering of another way to recycle newspaper here it is.  I understand that most likely we are no longer talking about newspapers per say since most people get their news on line, but magazines, ads and whatever other form of print that still comes through the mail box.  This is a fun craft and great for older kids, meaning school age not toddlers.

You will need balloons, vaseline, paper and wallpaper paste.  It is available in your home improvement shop.  I believe I bought something called trim paste.

Blow up the balloon to whatever size you want your bowl to be and cover it with vaseline.

next cover it with walpaper paste.  I think you can also buy the paste dried and mix it with water which may be easier for storage later

cover with the first layer of newspaper scraps

add more paste, and another layer of newspaper

continue for about 10 layers… I know that I lost count and just kept going and going…. I guess you can keep a tick sheet

let it dry for 24 hours or however long it takes based on the amount of layers.  Pop or remove from the ballon and  trim the edge with scissors

make a hoop from thicker material and cover with paste.  I think I used one of those subscription cards from a magazine.

cover with strips and paste, 

let dry

Now here is your final product.  Of course this is the basic version and you can make it a basket, or a bunny by adding ears and whiskers.  You can make the last layer white and let the kids paint on it, or black and make kids draw with chalk.  You can glue your favorite candy wrappers on top of it or even better pictures of your friends that are coming to dinner.  Then you will have a very special and silly bowl to put mints in.