Indoor activity
Paper Plate Loom Weaving
Thread a paper plate with string to make a simple loom, then weave colourful yarn into a beautiful circular textile — a craft technique used by weavers for thousands of years!
Materials
- Paper Plates
- Scissors
- String
Illustrated Steps
Cut the Notches
Use scissors to cut 9 evenly-spaced notches around the edge of the plate, each about 1 cm deep. An odd number of notches is essential — it's the secret that makes the over-under weave work!
Thread the Warp
Tape string to the back of the plate. Bring it up through one notch, straight across to the opposite notch, round the back, and up through the next notch. Repeat until all notches are connected.
Weave the Weft
Tie a new colour of string to one warp thread near the centre. Weave in a spiral outward: over one warp, under the next, all the way around. Push each row tight against the last as you go.
Finish and Display
When you reach the edge, cut the string leaving a 10 cm tail. Thread the tail under 3–4 warp threads on the back to secure it — no knot needed. Trim untidy ends and hang your weaving!
What You’ll Create
Using a plain paper plate as your loom, you’ll weave a beautiful circular textile using string! 🌈 The result is a round, woven medallion — perfect for hanging on the wall or turning into a coaster. This is the same basic technique used by weavers around the world for thousands of years.
How to Set It Up
Step 1: Cut the Notches
Use scissors to cut 9 evenly-spaced notches around the edge of a paper plate, each about 1 cm deep. You must have an odd number of notches — 9 is perfect. This odd number is the secret that makes the over-under weaving pattern work automatically!
Step 2: Thread the Warp
Tape one end of your string to the back of the plate. Bring the string up through one notch, straight across to the opposite notch, down the back, and up through the next notch along. Keep going until all notches are filled with straight lines radiating from the centre. These radiating lines are your warp threads.
Step 3: Weave the Weft
Tie a new piece of string (in a contrasting colour if you have one) to a warp thread near the centre. Now weave outward in a slow spiral: over one warp thread, under the next, over the next — all the way around. Push each new row close against the last as you go.
Step 4: Finish and Display
When you reach the outer edge, cut your string leaving a 10 cm tail. Thread the tail under 3–4 warp threads on the back to secure it — no knot needed! Trim any untidy ends. Pierce a small hole at the top and hang your woven circle on the wall. 🎉
Have fun!
- 🌈 Use three or four different colours to create concentric colour bands.
- 🎁 Make several weavings and string them together as a garland.
- ♻️ Experiment with materials: strips of fabric, torn newspaper, or thin ribbon.
- 🌿 Weave in a pressed flower or small leaf for a natural, textured look.
Why It’s Amazing
- Fine Motor Skills: Threading and weaving requires precise finger movements that strengthen the small muscles needed for writing. ✍️
- Maths & Patterns: The over-under sequence is a binary pattern — children are literally programming with their fingers! 💻
- Cultural Connections: Weaving is one of humanity’s oldest crafts, connecting children to world history and diverse cultures. 🌍
- Focus & Mindfulness: The repetitive, meditative rhythm of weaving calms and focuses the mind — brilliant for children who find it hard to sit still. 🧘
Pro Tips
For ages 5–7: Use thicker string and pre-thread the warp yourself so they can dive straight into the satisfying weaving part. Celebrate every completed row!
For ages 7–10: Let them thread the warp independently. Introduce colour-change technique: when switching colour, tuck the old tail under 2–3 threads on the back.
For ages 10–12: Try a rectangular cardboard loom with parallel warp threads for a more traditional weave structure, or look up traditional patterns online to recreate.