I used to babysit a lot but then I found that the kids had so little desire to play, they just wanted to watch TV. I was so bored because when I was little, I had so many rules about the TV, I spent all of my time outside. After quitting some of my jobs with families that I could not get the kids out from in front of the TV without promising fatty foods, I realized that I HAD TO BE THE INSPIRATION! I HAD TO GIVE THEM SOMETHING TO DO! They're just kids... a lot of their parents never cared enough to do anything with them besides turn on the TV.

I quickly started doing the things my Aunt Sue did with us when we were growing up. We created forts. I loved doing that... I still love doing that with the kids. It is always a huge mess to clean up but you also get to learn how to clean up after making a fort. 

Making things is a fun way to get kids to do stuff too. I have made homemade paper several times and then made picture books for Mother's and Father's day. The kids were so proud of what they had done, that they had made the paper, they had drawn the pictures, they had put the string that bound the pages together all together they couldn't wait until Mother's or Father's Day to give the presents. 

The last thing I found that was really helpful was going places on "field trips." Taking a day to go to the zoo or to a museum is fun and sometimes it inspires some love that the child didn't know he/she had. Going to the museum when I was little fed my little brother's love of dinosaurs while going to the zoo fed my love of animals. Why is it important for kids to be interested in this kind of thing? Well, it makes them willing to learn. My bedtime story was The National Geographic Animal Encyclopedia, by my choice. 

Simple Recipe: 

Many types of paper that can be used include:

• Computer Paper (unprinted)
• Newspaper (If you want a grayish colored paper)
• Magazines
• Egg Cartons
• Old Cards (For heavier paper)
• Toilet Paper
• Paper Bags
• Non Waxed Boxes (Pre-soak in warm water)
• Office Paper
• Tissue Paper (For finer paper)
• Typing Paper
• Napkins
• Construction Paper

Supplies you'll need:

• Sponge
• Window Screening (mold)
• Wood Frame (old picture frame can be used too) (deckle)
• Plastic Basin/Tub (Large enough to totally immerse frame)
• Blender/Food Processor (For making paper pulp)
• White Felt or Flannel Fabric
• Staples or Tacks (For tacking screen on frame)
• Liquid starch (optional) 
  

Instructions:

1. Select the pieces of paper to be recycled. You can even mix different types to create your own unique paper.

2. Rip the paper into small bits, and place into the blender. (about half full). Fill the blender with warm water. Run the blender slowly at first then increase the speed until the pulp looks smooth and well blended. ( 30 -40 seconds) Check that no flakes of paper remain. If there are, blend longer.

3. The next step is to make a mold. The mold, in this case, is made simply by stretching fiberglass screen (plain old door and window screen) over a wooden frame and stapling it. It should be as tight as possible.

4. Fill the basin about half way with water. Add 3 blender loads of pulp. (the more pulp you add the thicker the finished paper will be) Stir the mixture.

5. Now is the time to add the liquid starch for sizing.(This is not necessary but if the paper is going to be used for writing on, you should add some, the starch helps to prevent inks from soaking into the paper fibers.) Stir 2 teaspoons of liquid starch into the pulp.

Place the mold into the pulp and then level it out while it is submerged. Gently wiggle it side-to-side until the pulp on top of the screen looks even.

6. Slowly lift the mold up until it is above the level of the water. Wait until most of the water has drained from the new paper sheet. If the paper is very thick, remove some pulp from the tub. If it is too thin, add more pulp and stir the mixture again.

7. When the mold stops dripping, gently place one edge on the side of a fabric square (felt or flannel square). Gently ease the mold down flat, with the paper directly on the fabric. Use a sponge to press out as much water as possible. Wring the excess water from the sponge back into the large plastic tub.

8. Now comes the tricky part. Hold the fabric square flat and slowly lift the edge of the mold. The wet sheet of paper should remain on the fabric. If it sticks to the mold, you may have pulled to fast or not pressed out enough water. It takes a little practice. You can gently press out any bubbles and loose edges at this point.

9. Repeat the steps above, and stack the fabric squares on a cookie sheet. Save one fabric square to place on the top of the stack to cover the last piece of paper. Use another cookie sheet to press the remaining water out of the stack. (do this outside or in the bathtub, it can make a mess)

10. After you press the stack, gently separate the sheets. They can be dried by hanging on a clothesline or laying them out on sheets of newspaper. When they have dried peel them off the fabric and voila! you have paper!