Use construction paper to make a night sky for your elementary classroom. Cut out a moon shape, circles in different sizes for planets and star shapes from white construction paper, and use a hole punch to cut a hole in each shape. Give students the planet and moon shapes and show them pictures of what the planets look like. Provide glow-in-the-dark paint and encourage students to paint the moon and planets. When these large pieces are done, give each student a few stars to paint with yellow glow-in-the-dark paint. Once all the pieces are dry, loop string through the hole and hang from the ceiling. Encourage students to lie down on the floor, then turn off the lights and enjoy your new classroom decor.
Use construction paper to make a cat mask. Cut large circles from white construction paper, one for each student. Give students brown, black and yellow paint and invite them to decorate the circle to make a cat face. Cut holes for eyes, or glue wiggly eyes on instead. Use markers to add facial details. Cut white pipe cleaners in half and glue three on each side of the face to make whiskers. Cut two triangles from construction paper, paint and then glue to the top of the mask to make ears. To create a handle, glue a tongue depressor to the back of the mask on the bottom.
Use construction paper to make a personalized picture frame as a gift, recommends the website DLTK's Growing Together. Help students cut out two hearts, stars or other shape from colored construction paper. Measure the picture, then cut out a window in the middle of one of the paper shapes the same size as the picture. Next, let students use glitter, paint, crayons, markers and stickers to decorate the picture frame. Glue the picture on the back of the frame so that the picture fits perfectly inside the window. Glue the other shape onto the back of the frame.
Show students how to use construction paper to create landscapes. Give each student several sheets of construction paper in different colors. Show students how to cut blue, white or green paper to make mountains, or brown and green paper to make trees. Make clouds from gray or white construction paper. Cut squares, triangles and rectangles to make buildings. Once students have completed their landscapes, give them markers to decorate the landscape with details like people or animals.