DIY Creative Banner for Kids + Scissor Tips

Use leftover wrapping paper and leftover paper napkins to create a kid made creative banner perfect for a celebration or room decoration. This project was designed by my 5 year old. He saw the Thomas the Engine wrapping paper and came up with this idea of how to make a banner! I love encouraging his creative thinking and letting him lead the project. This project was also perfect scissors practice for him and my three year old.

Scissor practice at home is important as it helps develop fine motor skills for young artists. It also helps strengthen the hand along with strengthening hand eye coordination. Preschool is a good time to introduce your child how to cut and the proper way to use scissors. Many parents are “scared” to introduce scissors but when you take the time to teach them the correct way to use the tool it is not so scary!

Please, note all children develop at a different pace. If your child is not developmentally ready than wait and introduce later.

Scissor Tips for Beginners

When introducing scissors pick a time you can sit next to your child. Demonstrate how they open and close the tool with their hands. Make sure to point out their thumb should be on top. One tip I use to do with my Kindergarten students is put a dot on their thumb to help remind them the thumb points to the ceiling.

Practice open and closing the scissors. Have your child practice making cuts along the edge of a paper.

Once they are comfortable opening and closing the scissors start cutting with straight lines. Once your child is accomplished with straight lines move on to soft curved lines followed by wavy and then zig zag lines.

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There are many ways and materials your child can use to practice cutting. This project uses up any left over wrapping paper which is a great material to start with as it is a thin paper. I had bought some character wrapping paper at the dollar store. I had planned on wrapping presents with it but my son had other plans.

As I mentioned above, my five year old self directed and created this project. He was so excited about the Thomas the Engine wrapping paper he wanted to create something with it. It was so amazing to watch his creative problem solving skills at work. At his age he is more experienced with scissors but I also did this project with M-Woww who at 3 years old is still more of a beginner with scissors so you can adapt to your child’s skill level.

Materials

Wrapping Paper

Scissors

Glue Stick

Paper Napkins

String

Tutorial

Step 1: Cut out figures or design from the wrapping paper.

Step 2: Glue paper figure to a napkin.

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Step 3: Open up the napkin. Place the string on top of the napkin. To secure the napkin, place a line of glue at the bottom of the napkin and press the two layers of the napkin together.

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Step 4: Repeat the napkins creating a pattern and hang the banner when finished!

banner_thomas_horiz Kid made projects are the best because they have a sense of ownership and are very proud of their result. Resist the urge to step in and make it perfect, instead let them take control and gain some scissor practice along the way!