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Indoor activity

Newspaper Pirate Sword

Roll and shape newspaper into a sturdy pirate sword with a cardboard hand guard, then wrap it in tape and paint for epic swashbuckling!

Ages 3-10 0-1 hours Education 4/10

Materials

  • Cardboard Boxes
  • Flat Paintbrush
  • Markers optional
  • Newspaper
  • Poster Paint
  • Scissors
  • Tape

Illustrated Steps

1

Roll the Blade

Roll two newspaper sheets tightly from the corner into a long tube. Tape to secure.

2

Shape the Blade

Flatten and cut the tip into a rounded point. Wrap blade section in extra tape.

3

Add the Hand Guard

Cut a cardboard rectangle, poke a centre hole, and slide it down as a hand guard.

4

Paint and Decorate

Paint blade silver and handle gold or brown. Add gemstone and skull details!

What You’ll Create

A sword fit for the high seas! 🏴‍☠️ Your little swashbucklers will roll newspaper sheets tightly to create a surprisingly sturdy blade, add a hand guard from cardboard, and wrap the whole thing in tape for strength. Paint it silver and gold for a gleaming cutlass, then prepare for adventure — treasure maps, plank-walking, and epic duels await!

How to Set It Up

Step 1: Roll the Blade

Lay two full sheets of newspaper flat, one on top of the other. Starting from one corner, roll them tightly diagonally into a long, thin tube. The tighter you roll, the sturdier the sword! Wrap a strip of tape around the middle and each end to stop it unrolling. ⚔️

Step 2: Shape the Blade

Flatten the top 15 cm of the tube slightly and cut the tip into a point with scissors (round the point for safety). Leave the bottom third round as the handle grip. Wrap extra tape around the blade section for strength. 🗡️

Step 3: Add the Hand Guard

Cut a rectangle from cardboard (about 15 × 8 cm). Cut a small hole in the centre just big enough to slide over the newspaper tube. Push it down to where the handle meets the blade and secure with tape. Bend the cardboard slightly to curve around your hand. 🛡️

Step 4: Paint and Decorate

Paint the blade with silver poster paint and the handle with brown or gold paint. Add details with markers — gemstones on the hand guard, a skull and crossbones on the blade, or your pirate name! Let dry, then test your swordsmanship! 🎨

Have fun!

  • 🗺️ Make a treasure map and go on a sword-wielding treasure hunt around the house!
  • 👁️ Pair with a newspaper pirate hat for the complete pirate outfit!
  • ⚔️ Make two swords and have a gentle fencing match with a friend!
  • 🏴‍☠️ Create a pirate flag from paper and tape it to a long stick as your ship’s banner!

Why It’s Amazing

  • Engineering Strength: Rolling paper diagonally creates a surprisingly strong tube — an introduction to how shape affects structural strength. 🔬

  • Historical Play: Pirate swords spark conversations about history, navigation, ocean exploration, and the Age of Sail. ⚓

  • Imaginative Adventures: A sword becomes a prop for endless storytelling — pirate quests, knight adventures, Jedi battles, and more. 🎭

  • Fine Motor Skills: Tight rolling, precision cutting, and careful taping all develop hand control and coordination. ✋

Pro Tips

For ages 3–5: Adults should roll the blade and cut the shape. Let kids help with taping and do all the painting. Keep the tip well-rounded for safety. The painting and play are the highlights!

For ages 5–8: Show them the diagonal rolling technique and let them practice. They’ll love adding decorative details with markers. Remind them to play gently with friends!

For ages 8–12: Challenge them to create an entire arsenal — sword, shield (paper plate + arm strap), and telescope (cardboard tube). Research real cutlass designs and recreate historically accurate details. Add a leather-look handle by wrapping brown tape in a criss-cross pattern.

Secret Pro Move: Before painting, wrap the entire blade section in one layer of aluminium foil (shiny side out) — this gives an incredible metallic gleam that paint alone can’t match, and it adds extra strength! 🎯