DIY Camp Seat Cushion

DIY Camp Seat Cushion

Make a comfy seat cushion for sitting on the ground, just like Boy and Girl Scouts use when they go camping! You will use newspaper and paint to make a colorful mat.

40-60 minutes Ages 6-12

About This Project

A 40–60 minutes craft for ages 6–12, using supplies you likely already have — Tape, Pom Poms, and Clothespins.

GlueStick supports kids from setup to cleanup. After they choose a project, we guide them through gathering the supplies, making it, and cleaning up when they're done. We'll even help them share it safely with trusted family and friends.

Ad-free and kid-safe library — designed by a mom who wants kids to explore and create independently.

Project Tags
camping seat cushion painting weaving indoor outdoor recycled material budget-friendly fine motor skills problem solving art upcycling scouts
  1. 1

    Find Supplies

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    Create a free GlueStick account to track supplies and see if you have what you need at a glance. Leave your kids tips about where supplies are stored in your household so they can set up and clean up their creative spaces independently.
    00:00
    A cartoon of Tape
    You have: unknown
    A cartoon of Pom Poms
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    A cartoon of Clothespins
    You have: unknown
    A cartoon of Paint
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    A cartoon of Cotton Swabs
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    A cartoon of Paint Brushes
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    A cartoon of Newspapers
    You have: unknown
  2. 2

    Make DIY Camp Seat Cushion

    Your creative buddy says:
    "Are you as excited to make this as I am?"

    Step 1: Fold newspaper pages into strips.

    Take two full pages of newspaper. Keep the pages closed and fold them lengthwise two times. This will make a long strip about 3 to 4 inches wide. Make 8 of these folded strips.

    Step 2: Decorate the newspaper strips with paint.

    May need grown-up help
    Lay down some extra newspaper on your table to keep it clean from paint. Squeeze some paint onto the corner of this extra newspaper. You can pick any colors you like! If you don't have paintbrushes, you can make your own! Pinch a pompom with a clothespin to make a special paintbrush. Use this to paint one side of each folded newspaper strip you made in Step 1. Let the paint dry. Then, turn the strips over and paint the other side with any colors you want. Let them dry again. Now, you can add fun details! Use Q-tips or different sized pompoms to make dots or lines. You can even use your fingers to paint! Be creative! When you are done decorating, let all the paint dry completely before you go to the next step.

    Step 3: Weave the painted newspaper strips together.

    Lay 4 of your painted newspaper strips side by side. Take one of the remaining strips and weave it over and under the 4 strips you laid down. Start about 6 inches from the end of the strips. Keep weaving, making sure to alternate if you start over or under with each new strip you add.

    Step 4: Secure the ends of your woven mat.

    May need grown-up help
    Fold over the end of the first paper strip. Look for the strip that is the second one around the corner from the one you just folded. It will go over the strip you folded first. Now, take the end of this second strip and tuck it underneath. This will hold both ends tightly in place. Keep doing this for all the ends until they are all secured. If this part is tricky, ask an adult to help you.

    Step 5: Make your camp cushion more durable (optional).

    This step is extra, but it will help your camp cushion last a long time, especially if you use it outside! Option 1: Cover your whole mat with clear packing tape. Make sure to cover all the edges too. Option 2: Cut two pieces of thick clear plastic the same size as your mat. Ask an adult to help you cut the plastic. Then, tape the plastic all around the edges with strong, waterproof tape. Option 3: Another idea is to slide your finished mat into a very big clear Ziploc bag, like a 2-gallon size. Seal it shut. You can even add a piece of duct tape to make sure the seal stays closed.
  3. 3

    Clean up

    Put things away so your space is tidy for next time.

    Tidy up our space

    Put away our supplies

    Check off each supply when it is put away — and any clean-up tips underneath are done too. You might find a fun surprise!

    • A cartoon of Tape
      Where they belong:
    • A cartoon of Pom Poms
      Where they belong:
    • A cartoon of Clothespins
      Where they belong:
    • A cartoon of Paint
      Where they belong:
      • — Don't forget! Close all paint lids tightly.
    • A cartoon of Cotton Swabs
      Where they belong:
    • A cartoon of Newspapers
      Where they belong:
    • A cartoon of Paint Brushes
      Where they belong:
      • — Don't forget! Rinse all the paint out of your paint brushes.

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  4. 4

    Save

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    "Great job!"

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