Kids of all ages will have fun making these placemats, which are sized perfectly for a snack of milk and cookies. Just cut out images from old greeting cards, calendars or magazines that relate to your idea or theme for the placemat, and cover them with clear contact paper. The placemats can even be personalized with a name. That's it! Simple as eating a chocolate chip cookie. Yum!
Project idea: Start a family tradition of making a milk and cookie placemat for Santa on Christmas Eve!
With some advanced preparation by the adult or teen leader, this is a wonderful craft project for groups of children. With a little direction, older children will be able to complete the project without assistance, while younger children will need an adult or teen to apply the contact paper.
Pre-cut pieces of clear contact paper (self-adhesive vinyl) a bit larger than the size of the paper towel sheet. Gather old greeting cards, calendars and/or magazines to be cut for the placemat decorations. For placemats personalized with names, you will also need construction paper and a pencil.
Decide on a theme for your placemat. It could be centered around a special day like Christmas, a birthday, or Easter. Or perhaps it could feature your favorite things, like a toy, butterflies, or race cars. Or just sort through the greeting cards, etc. and find a picture you like.
Cut out pictures from the old greeting cards, calendars and magazines that relate to your theme. For added interest, cut a variety of sizes and shapes. Just for fun, you might cut the pictures with zigzag or other decorative edge scissors.
Optional: For a personalized placemat, cut out the letters of your name from colored construction paper. Cut them freehand or draw the letters with a pencil first.
Lay the paper towel (half-sheets are a good size) on a flat surface. Arrange your cut pictures and/or letters as you like. Experiment with different arrangements until you are satisfied with the design.
Tip: It is best to leave a space of at least ½-inch around the edges of the placemat and between the pictures and/or letters.
Carefully peel off the backing from the contact paper. Line up the edge of the contact paper with the edge of the paper towel, and slowly roll it down over the paper towel. Carefully press and smooth the contact paper as you go.
Optional: For a more durable placemat, add another layer of contact paper to the reverse side. You can make a double-sided placemat by adding a design to this side before applying the contact paper.
Trim the edges of your placemat with scissors. It is important to trim away any contact paper that extends beyond the edges of the paper towel.
That's it! Try out your new placemat with a snack of milk and cookies!
Tip: A quick and easy placemat can be made by matting a recycled card front. Make several in no time for a party or get-together.
Tip: It's easy to make placemats for birthday parties using recycled birthday cards. Add a special touch by cutting the images with scalloped- edge scissors.
Tip: Personalize placemats with letters cut from construction paper.
