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Japanese Inspired Screen Hanging

  • Young Adult
  • Grades 1-3

Make your own Japanese inspired screen, using painted tissue paper and wood dowels.

Materials


  • 25 Pack Assorted Paint Brushes
  • Natural Braiding Cord
  • Watercolor Paint Palette
  • Wax Paper
  • Tissue Paper (white)
  • Paper Plate or small tray (for glue)
  • Craft Glue
  • Scissors

Instructions


Step 1. Gather your supplies.

Japanese Screen art activity

Japanese Inspired Screen Paper Craft for Kids

Step 2.

Glue (4) Wood Dowels to create a square, as shown.

Kids Craft Japanese Screen

Step 3.

Evenly space and glue (2) additional Dowels to the the middle of your square to complete the screen structure.

watercolor and tissue paper art project

Step 4.

Cut a piece of white tissue paper, so that it is slightly larger than the screen structure. Place the tissue paper on wax paper. Very gently paint Watercolor designs on the tissue paper. You want to work slowly and carefully to avoid ripping the paper.  When painting your design, let nature inspire you.  Think of how trees and plants branch upward toward the sun.

Kids Watercolor screen art activity

Step 5.

Once your design has been painted, use a Large Brush and add water to the tissue paper.  Use long even strokes on the paper.  Avoid moving side to side, this will cause the paper to tear. The water will cause the paint to bleed, which will create a pretty, artistic effect to your paper. Let the paper dry before taking off the wax paper.

How to make a Japanese inspired screen

Step 6.

Attach a long piece of the Natural Cord to the top left corner of your  screen structure. Thread Shell and Wood Beads onto the cord then attach to the other side of the structure.

Kids paper craft activity

Step 7.

Place the Dowel square on some wax paper, and pour craft glue onto the paper plate. Using a Foam Brush, add glue to the Dowels.

Use wood Dowels to make a paper screen

Step 8.

Gently lay your dry, decorated tissue paper on top of the glue covered Dowels. Gently brush more glue on the decorated tissue paper. The glue will make the tissue paper more rigid when it dries.  The key is to be very gentle. If the paper rips in a few places that is fine, you will have a chance to fix it.  

Wood Dowel Screen

Step 9.

Once the glue is dry, turn the screen over. Cut the corners out of the tissue paper, as shown. This will make it easier to fold the edges in.

Kids Arts and Crafts Paper Screen

Step 10.

Using the foam brush, gently add glue to all the sides. Fold the edges over to create a nice finished look to your screen.

Kids Craft Japanese Inspired Paper Screen

Step 14.

Tip: If there are any rips in the screen, cut smaller pieces of white tissue paper and glue them over the rips.

Hang your Japanese Inspired Screen near a window or outside and allow the sun to shine through!