Let's build a cardboard weaving loom. You will need the cardboard and rubber bands. The idea for using rubber bands and cardboard to make a simple weaving loom came from Alyna. Weaving is an activity that helps children strengthen the muscles used in pincer grip, build fine motor skills, and eye-hand coordination. When children weave, they develop deeper understanding of spatial concepts of up, over and under.
Enjoy the process. You do not need to finish the weaving all at once. Take a break if you need one and continue with the weaving later.
Can you describe how the cardboard look and feel to you? Pick up a rubber band and give it a stretch. How far can you stretch the rubber band?
Are you ready to put the cardboard weaving loom together? Place the cardboard in a horizontal position. Stretch rubber bands around the cardboard. Leave a gap between each rubber band.
How many rubber bands did you use? Weave a paper strip over and under the rubber bands. It may take a little time to do this. Keep going. Go over, under, over, under. You can do it!
For the next paper strip, you need to weave in an under, over sequence. Continue weaving with the other paper strips. Ask your mother or father if you need help. This was how we weaved the paper strips.
What does your paper weaving look like? How many paper strips did you use? How many paper strips do you have left?
Our paper weaving is not done. The ends of the paper strips are flapping in the wind. What can we use to paste it to the cardboard?
That's right, you can use a glue stick to paste the ends to the cardboard. If you do not have a glue stick, wet glue works just as well. Remember to only use a dab of wet glue each time.
Use the remaining paper strips to cover the short sides of the cardboard and your cardboard weaving loom is almost done.
Use a pair of scissors to cut off the excess paper on each end of the paper strips. Ask an adult to help you if you need help with the scissors.
The paper weave reminds us of a nursery rhyme. Can you guess what nursery rhyme it is?
Now your cardboard weaving loom is done. Show us how your weaving loom look. Take a photo of your weaving loom and share it with us.
You can also weave on the back of the cardboard. Have fun weaving with other materials that you can find in your environment. We especially love weaving with natural materials.
Remember to share photos of your creation with us. Our next art pack will be out soon. Stay tuned.
