Once you’ve read them, old newspapers can actually serve a multitude of purposes – lay them down while you paint, line the litter box with them or use them in a craft. Here are a few practical and fun crafts that use only old newspapers and a few extra items.

Newspaper Gift Bags

Two pieces of newspaper (works best if they are all one sheet)

Tape

String or ribbon

Lay down newspaper horizontally with the side you want to be seen on the front facing out. Fold the paper in one inch from the right.

Fold the left side ¾ of an inch over the folded piece and tape it down along the edge. Move the top layer over approximately two inches to the right. Make a crease on either side.

Shift the top layer back to the center and then two inches to the left. Make another crease on that side. You should now have three creases on each side. Fold both of the bottom layers and crease them both.

Separate the two bottom layers and make a triangle at the corners. Do the same thing on the right side.

Fold the top part of the bottom section down, so the corners of the folds line up with the creases on either side of the paper. Fold the bottom to match and tape along the side where the two folds meet.

If the bag needs extra support, insert a thin, rectangular piece of cardboard and place it at the bottom of the bag. Add handles with pieces of ribbon or string, hole punching the sides of taping the ribbon or string down to the bag.

Craft courtesy of Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

Newspaper Nails

White or light grey nail polish

Newspaper

Rubbing alcohol

Clear topcoat

Paint nails with white or light gray polish. Let dry completely.

Dip one finger in rubbing alcohol, wetting the entire nail. Let it soak for about 15 seconds.

Take a small piece of newspaper and press it onto the wet nail for about 15 seconds. Peel back the piece of newspaper to see the type on the nail. If it smudges, wipe the newsprint off with rubbing alcohol and start again.

Repeat the process with the rest of the nails, then apply a clear top coat when finished. When the top coat dries, wash hands to remove any newspaper residue or rubbing alcohol.

Craft courtesy of Pinterest

Newspaper Envelopes

Newspaper

Glue (bottle or stick)

Scissors

Paper bag

Envelope

Pencil (to trace)

Carefully undo each side of the envelope and trace the outline of the envelope. Fold the sides in and secure then with glue.

Outline the envelope’s top flap on the paper bag to create a liner for the inside (this will give the envelope some more stability).

Glue along the top edges of the liner and, slide the liner into the envelope and press down firmly.

Craft courtesy of Kanelstrand

Newspaper Trash Can

Newspapers

Cereal box

Ribbon

Scissors

Ruler 

Tape 

Cut newsprint pages into strips 3/4 inches by 4 1/2 inches wide. Take the first strip of paper and wrap it around two spokes of a trash can. Tape the end strip down to form a chain link. 

Build the chain by repeating step three until you completely circle the trash can. There should be gaps between the links. Start a second row on top of the first by making the chain links loop together each set of spokes. 

You should have a checkerboard pattern on alternating between gaps and paper chains. Leave one space open at the top. 

To label the trash can, cut letters from the newsprint, then cut cardboard squares and glue the letters down for support. 

Take an end of each piece of ribbon and tie it to the top of the trash can. Secure the knot by taping it down with a small piece of tap. 

Craft courtesy of RePlay Ground

Happy News Engagement Day!