Weaving paper

Ages 6 to 8 Read together, then try alone · about 30 minutes

Read together

Weaving crosses strips over and under each other to make a flat surface.

In the Philippines, people weave mats called banig from dried leaves such as pandan and buri. Many banig have bright patterns.

We can try the same idea with paper.

Do it

1. Fold a sheet of coloured paper in half. Cut slits from the fold almost to the edge, 2 cm apart. Open it.
2. Cut strips of a different colour. Weave one strip over, under, over, under across the slits.
3. Weave the next strip the opposite way: under, over, under, over. Push strips close together.
4. Look at the pattern. Make another with three colours. Tape the ends down.

Talk about it

• What pattern did you make?
• How is the paper like a real mat?

For the grown-up

Weaving has been done by people in every part of the world. In the Philippines, woven mats such as banig are made in many regions, including Basey in Samar, and are a cherished craft. Weaving builds patience, patterns and fine motor skills.

Mark as done

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Where this comes from

• Cultural Center of the Philippines Encyclopedia of Philippine Art, entries on Philippine weaving and the banig
• National Commission for Culture and the Arts (Philippines), materials on traditional crafts including banig weaving

Written with AI assistance and checked against the sources listed. Please read it before sharing it with a child.