Preschoolers, after all, have shorter attention spans. Plus, with the mess of handmade paper–not to mention potentially harmful instruments used–some may wish to skip the risk altogether. Certainly it is a personal choice, but young children can still very much be involved in the paper making process. Here’s how:

Have them bring in paper from home. Chance are you’ve already got plenty of paper to use from the recycling bins at school. However, letting children participate by bringing in their discarded paper from home will let them have a sense of accomplishment and involvement.

Let them tear up the paper. This is one of those times where they can make a true mess and not get into trouble for it! Encourage them to tear the paper as finely as possible, making it a terrific fine motor skill activity. This would also work during a classroom party or birthday when the bits of paper could also be used as confetti.

Let them help with the paste. You’ll have to make or purchase your screen on your own–and likely make most, if not all, of the paste–but you can let the children help stir it and even flatten it on the screen very carefully.

Decide how to use the paper together. Vote on it to teach about sharing and compromising. Offer options if the kids can’t think of many ideas and choose the top two or three to make some great creations with your paper. Perhaps you can use it for letter-writing on Grandparent’s Day, or let each child have a piece to create a special classroom book.

Here are ten great benefits to be had from making paper with students.

10. It’s a great math lesson. From measuring the parts of water and paper pulp needed to estimating the amount of time it will take to dry, what could be a better practical application?

9. Multiple science lessons can come from the project. Add chemicals to discover a reaction. Experiment with additives for different scents and textures.

8. Making paper is a worthwhile art project. Using scrap paper in the art classroom to make new paper is not only a work of art in and of itself–it also saves paper, which leads us too…

7. It’s a great lesson in environmental stewardship. When we can understand where our paper comes from and how it’s made, we can gain a better appreciation for our environment and resources.

6. Homemade paper provides an important historical lesson. How much fun would it be to teach your students about Egyptian papyrus by making it in class?

5. Handmade paper provides a sense of accomplishment and exploration. There are no rules to really follow, no right or wrong answers; children can be free to create and discover new ways to alter their paper.

4. There could be no gift more special. Handmade Valentines or cards featuring children’s hand prints are certainly precious on their own; they’re even more adorable when they’re made on paper the kids made themselves.

3.  It gives the gift of responsibility. Kids can learn to take turns, share, work together, and clean up while working on the project.

2. It’s an indoor/outdoor activity. No matter the weather, you can still complete it.

1. It’s a fun activity! If nothing else, this will be something the kids will keep taking about throughout the school year.