For this week’s National Crafting Month activity, we’re making parchment paper similar to what you see onstage in Hamilton. This will help you “write like you’re running out of time!”
Hamilton Parchment Paper
Time: 15 minutes
Recommended Ages: All
Parental supervision recommended for use of oven.
Supplies Needed:
- White printer or copier paper (as many sheets as you would like to make)
- Coffee and/or tea, cooled to room temperature (3/4 cup)
- Large Sheet Pan
- Foil
- Oven (Preheat to 350 degrees Fahrenheit)
- Towel
- Writing utensils
Step 1: Prepare your paper
Wet the sides of your paper slightly and tear off the edges for an added aging effect. Crumple your paper into a ball.
Step 2: Prepare your sheet pan
Line your sheet pan with foil and smooth out your paper onto it. Add your coffee, tea or mixture into the sheet pan. Tip: Using coffee will result in a darker brown parchment paper, tea will result in a light tan color.
Step 3: Aging your paper
Let your paper sit in liquid for three to five minutes. Tip: Paper is made up of tiny fibers. The longer the paper sits in the liquid, the weaker the fibers will become, making it easier to tear while handling.
Step 4: Bake your paper
Drain the liquid into the sink and place your paper onto a dry towel for a few minutes. Return your paper to your foil-lined sheet pan and bake in the oven for five minutes to dry. Remove from oven.
Step 5: Enjoy
After cooling for a few minutes, your parchment paper is now ready to use! Use it to write a strongly-worded letter to your political rival, or a maybe a song lyric of your own?
---
Did you give this craft a try? Tag us @playhousesquare and show it off!