Construction Paper Craft Activities for Kids

When it comes to arts and crafts, kids can do wonders with simply a pair of scissors and construction paper. Construction paper crafts are ideal for elementary and middle school kids at home or in the classroom, especially when making holiday crafts. Parents and teachers will find a wide range of easy ideas for construction paper craft activities as detailed in this guide.

- Construction Paper Origami "Fortune Teller"

A great construction paper craft and activity for kids is making origami, a Japanese art form of folding paper to make decorative designs. An abundance of simple origami designs are available for kids including a "fortune teller."

Materials:

construction paper, scissors, markers

To make a fortune teller:

1. Turn a piece of construction paper into a square by folding over one corner so that the top edge of the paper is aligned with a side edge. Then, cut off the rectangular portion of paper that is outside of the formed triangle.

2. Draw four diagonals from corner to corner and midsection to midsection.

3. Make sharp creases along these diagonals.

4. Open the square and fold each corner into the center. Then, leaving the square folded, turn it over, folding each corner into the center again.

5. The fortune teller will have two sections within each of the four corner flaps that may be colored a different color.

6. Choose a category such as "careers", and print the name of eight careers on each section. (As an alternative holiday idea, print the names of eight classmates whom each classmate will randomly select for exchanging Christmas gifts).

7. Turn the paper over and within each section write a number from one to eight.

8. Fold the fortune teller in half so that the flaps with the names are on the inside.

9. Open the outer numbered flaps so they form into a cone and hold the fortune teller in both hands with thumbs and forefingers inside each cone.

10. Tell a fortune by asking a classmate to pick a number from one to eight. Open and close the fortune teller this number of times and show the classmate the name that is behind the number.

- Construction Paper "Fold and Cut" Holiday Decorations(Stars and Snowflakes)

Kids will enjoy making stars and snowflakes from folded and cut construction paper that make excellent ornaments and decorations.

Materials:

construction paper and scissors

Instructions:

To make a four-pointed star:

1. Turn a piece of construction paper into a square by folding over one corner so that the top edge of the paper is aligned with a side edge. Then, cut off the rectangular portion of paper that is outside of the formed triangle.

2. With the construction paper folded as a triangle, fold it in half again to create a smaller triangle.

3. Fold the triangle in half once more.

4. Cut the folded construction paper in half from the line between the narrowest angle to the base of the angle.

To make a snowflake:

5. After, completing step 4 of making a star, keep the construction paper folded and draw designs along each edge.

6. Cut out these designs and unfold the paper.

- Construction Paper Pop Up Card

Kids will enjoy crafting a pop up card by making partial angle cuts to a folded piece of construction paper and folding it in to create an internal pop up image.

Materials:

construction paper, scissors, glue stick, markers

Instructions:

1. Decide on an image to draw that is symmetrical when folded in half (example: star).

2. On the front of the folded construction paper, draw the top half of the image four times along the top of the card's crease.

3. Cut along the lines of the drawn images, stopping slightly before reaching the uppermost tip of the image that will be left attached.

4. Tuck the partially cut images inward and open the card to discover the four pop up images.

5. Color the pop up images with markers and write a message within the card.

*Tip: To disguise the cuts made to the outside of the card edge, open the card face up and glue another piece of construction paper over it. Then, personalize the cover of the card with greetings and images.

Without question, kids will get a thrill out of making these easy construction paper craft activities. Many of these ideas are perfect for the holiday season as kids use their creativity to make gifts, ornaments, and decorations that will definitely bring joy to their teachers, family, and friends.