Butcher Paper Saves the Day

Technology is not the only thing that can entertain a child. Rather than purchase another video game or interactive toy; instead, invest in a large roll of butcher paper. Also known as kraft paper, it can be purchased from craft stores, school supply centers or directly from a newspaper. Often they will sell the end pieces of rolls, which still hold quite a lot of useful paper, inexpensively to the public.

I have yet to see an end to the multitude of uses for this simple item. In fact, butcher paper has saved sleepover parties and cured rainy day boredom on more than one occasion. The following uses have been kid-tested and mother approved many times over.

Play mats. Great for preschoolers, but just as fun for older children as well. Roll out a long length of butcher paper. The length is part of the novelty, so clear the floor to make room for a long mat. Start drawing a road scene. Add a train, houses with driveways, stores, familiar landmarks and other details as desired. Pull out the toy cars, lego pieces and other small items to create an engaging afternoon activity.
If more than one child is playing you can have them work together, or give each child their own length of butcher paper and then they can visit a "different city." Easily roll up and store the play mat for another day when they are done. If you slip the rolled up mat through a toilet paper or paper towel tube it will hold it without needed to bend or tape in place.

Create, anything. Butcher paper can be used as a base for paintings, marker art, crayon drawings without going through sheet after sheet of drawing paper. The process is often what is important when it comes to art. You can take plenty of pictures of their masterpieces, but you do not have to feel obligated to save every last piece of butcher paper. Using large strokes and experimenting with colors, shapes and designs is worth the time even if you do not end up with a "finished product." These large scale projects especially help when a child is feeling unmotivated, angry or flat out bored. Let them express themselves on the page while working through their emotions.

Words. Draw big letters and have your child trace them with a paint brush to get a jump start on handwriting practice in a fun way. Older children can write their name in big bubble letters on a strip of butcher paper to hang on their wall. They can fill in the letters with collaged magazine images of things that describe their personality and things they like.

Body art. A quick way to save a play date is to pull out the butcher paper and suggest the kids trace each other. Have them take turns tracing and then let them color in their face and clothing of choice.
If they pose in a particular way they can turn themselves into anything from a ballerina to a football player. The finished product makes a nice life-sized wall-graphic for their bedrooms. Cut it out and then hang on their door as a fun decoration. My kids loved posing with their body doubles and one year turned themselves into cute versions of Santa's Elves for Christmas.

A roll of butcher paper can also be used to make custom wrapping paper, torn for papier mache projects, and used to make large banners for birthday celebrations and other holidays. We also used a very long piece of butcher paper to make a banner for my son's football team. At the opening game, parents and fans stretched it across the field and had the boys run through it. It was a fun surprise for the team, and really pumped them up!

More by Sylvie Branch:
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No More Yelling: Parenting Tricks from a Teacher
Play with Your Food and Other Family Dinner Table Advice