Paper Punk

Hey PaperPunk fans! If you missed Episode 4, no worries at all, catch it below!



In Episode 4, the scene opens up outside the rock concert attended by both Alex, Brad and their friends.
Alex and Brad leave the concert a little early and plan to go for a quick bite in the city. As soon as the two are spotted, paparazzi go crazy with their cameras, snapping photos of the pair.

Caught by surprise, Alex is taken back by all the flashes and begins to feel very uncomfortable. Of course, Brad realizes this is bad and apologizes on the media’s behalf.

The two hop in Brad’s car, grab a quick bite, and he drops her off at home explaining he would call her later.

The next morning, all hell breaks loose in the Fit’s household. Brad’s parents are outraged by the tabloids which read the two are spotted kissing outside the rock concert, hand in hand and appearing very close.


Brad and his parent’s get into a heated argument, which leaves Brad very annoyed and in a compromising situation with Alex. He just wants his mother and father to be happy for him for once.

What will come of Alex and Brad’s newfound romance? Is it sabotaged for good?

Stay tuned for Episode 5 airing June 23^rd to find out! #TheYoungAndTheDressless

This blog is an ode to our paper activity ancestors, Origami.

Did you know Origami is actually one of the world’s oldest forms of both art and craft? Literally meaning, “folding paper”, the act of folding paper into basic shapes and figures dates back to the Edo period (1603 – 1867) in Japan.

Here are some reasons why we think Origami ROCKS:

It's accessible.

Paper. All you need is paper and your two hands, that’s it! Who doesn’t have a piece of paper within an arm’s reach?

It’s beautiful.

With a few simple folds, you can create a stunning origami masterpiece. Create folded geometric feats from a simple piece of paper.

Origami goes beyond a few folds. It’s a great activity for improving your thinking skills and problem solving. Often there are videos like these that teach you how to fold, step by step: Origami Crane (Folding Instructions).

If you’re like us, you’ll give anything a try and then do it your own way. However, frustrating the learning process may be at times, you are actually improving your problem-solving skills even when your bird ends up looking like a dog. 

If you’re looking for an accessible craft that helps build your design intuition, try origami.

If you’re looking to add a little more STEM to your activities, try adding a little Paper Punk in the mix. Paper Punk is the best of both worlds, LEGO + Origami. 

 

With just under two weeks left to the unofficial launch of summer (Memorial Day) and school being out in just over a month, you may be wondering how to make sure the kids make the most out of their summer and not get too rusty upstairs. We’ve got three tips to help you make STEM learning this summer fun!

 Take a Field Trip

via GIPHY

 

There are plenty of cool places around town that are perfect learning opportunities for children. A trip to the local zoo or botanical garden puts the “S” in STEM and is a great way for children to connect with plants, nature, and animals. Getting kids acquainted with concepts like sustainability and the importance of our ecosystem will never be easier. Cultivate their curiosity by exposing them to different environments and activities.

STEM Activities from Home

In addition to going out, there are plenty of activities you can do at home like gardening and cooking. 

Gardening is a great way to help teach children about plants, insects AND nutrition. You could also do something as simple as grabbing something from your pantry and direct all the components and processes that had to go into making that food product. You can easily do that with other objects all around the house. Inspire kids to uncover the context of the built world they live in by asking them questions.

Baking and cooking also provides a way to teach your children STEM related concepts on the sly. Calculating measurements to make that delicious summer treat is good for the brain and sure to provide some joy for everyone. Homemade popsicles anyone? 

Let’s Use Our Hands  

Toys and games can help develop an appreciation for science, the arts, strategic and mind-stimulating activities, and spending time with family and friends. Although school will be out, play doesn’t have to end!

Brands like K’Nex and our very own Paper Punk, provide toys/activities that both excite and educate kids without them even knowing. 

Remember, learning is as fun as you make it! We challenge you to come up with more ways to make STEM learning fun. Let us know how you do by tagging us @PaperPunk.

ICYMI: Our Color + Build kits have been featured in the Toy Insider Spring & Summer Gift Guide.

Check out the gift guide to find other cool STEM toys, like Paper Punk, that will keep the kids entertained for hours on end!

Paper Toys have long been a fascination to the world. Think back to when origami was a big fad. It’s not hard to see how popular paper toys have become, just check the internet. We’ve looked around the web and picked a few of our favorites. 

Old-School Polaroid Camera

How amazing is this old-school camera made out of paper!? This paper toy was created by Anna Trundle of ALTA Papercraft, who combines digital and handcrafted techniques into dimensional illustration.

Paper Fruit

Good enough to eat, am I right?! These juicy fruits make the perfect additions to your play kitchen or grocery stand. They will also make colorful decorations for kid’s rooms.

 

Architectural Paper Models

This masterpiece was created by an artist named Ingrid Siliakus. Making paper objects, she says, is a meditative process of cutting and folding the paper into different variations. And the result is extraordinary, a testament to what can be done with just one sheet of paper.

 

Graphic Paper Figures

One of our all time favorite paper toy artists is Shin Tanaka. He has famously taken street art and graffiti aesthetics to paper as his canvas. The geometry and graphic patterns and colors are a huge inspiration to Paper Punk. From first folding origami at the age of four to this collaborations with the likes of culture giants like Nike, Shin has helped fuel the paper toy mania to new heights.

Paper Blocks & Paper Dolls

Of course we can’t forget our very own creations. Our Paper Punk Color + Build Kits! These kits enable users to customize their very own 3D paper creations through folding and coloring. They also elevate the coloring craze with added dimensions, 3D construction, story-telling, and dream making. #MakeSomething


 

When you think of the idea of “play”, what comes to mind? Video games? Kids? Sports?

What mostly comes to mind when I think of play is children. Much like the picture above, I imagine kids running around with abandon chasing a ball outdoors or finding 100 new ways to engage with the empty box in the recycling bin. Rarely, does anyone ever envision an adult. Gone are the days when our biggest problem/concern was how fast we could eat our lunch in order to have more time to play. Even though play time and aging seem inversely related as we get older, the importance of it to our health and happiness remains the same.

Here is why having some play time is good for you:

It relieves stress.

You ever wonder why people recommend going to the gym to relieve stress? A little chemical called endorphins is released and actually causes you to feel good. Overriding pain and stress, endorphins are a happy chemical.

 

That same chemical reaction is released when you’re playing games. That feeling of euphoria when you score a goal, complete a hard level of a video game, or make someone pick up 20 cards in UNO is because of our new found friend – endorphins.

Improve brain function – Hello STEM toys!

Another reason why having some play time is important is because it helps improve your brain function. Activities like Paper Punk are meant for you to have fun and be as creative as you can, but what you may not know, is that you’re actually using your STEAM (Science Technology Engineering Art Mathematic) skills to do so.

By following the numerical pattern and folding each sheet, you end up creating a 3D geometric piece you didn’t even know was there. (Say hello to dimensional thinking skills and good old fashioned geometry!)

Classics like chess and Monopoly help improve your skills as well, but they may also lose you some friends. Not speaking from experience, of course.

Keep you feeling young and energetic.                         

Lastly, setting aside some time for play helps keep you young. Put down the anti-aging cream and pick up some board games.

 

We're believers in not only taking time out of your day for play, but also continuing to incorporate it into your everyday lives as you grow older.

In all things, #MakeSomething.

Without a doubt, Spring is my favorite season. The weather, slowly but surely, gets warmer, birds start chirping, people start smiling, you actually don’t mind walking down the street to meet the new neighbors, etc. While there are various chores and essential things to do in the spring like gardening and pulling out the patio set, we’d recommend mixing it up with an outdoor scavenger hunt. Here are 3 tips to hosting an awesome Scavenger hunt.

Be the neighborhood hero.

You’re not the only one thinking about fun activities to do with your kids, so be the neighborhood hero and organize the hunt. Get other neighbors involved too— they’d be happy to help you, plus having more space to hide clues and more kids to join in the fun will make your scavenger hunt a blast.

Host Paper Punk kit building party.

It’s not a hunt if there’s no treasure, right? Make the pot of gold a pile of Paper Punk kits and the scavenger hunt with a group kit building party, including yummy snacks. Not only will it serve as a great way to get to know the neighborhood kids, it’s also a good way to interact with their parents (your neighbors). The good news is that this party isn’t age restrictive as the kits are meant for anyone 6+, so there is no excuse why everybody can’t join in the fun and #MakeSomething too.

Want to make your scavenger hunt even more fun?

Use a theme.

Most people love a good themed party! Think of a theme for your scavenger hunt and make up some clues to fit. Now that your Easter egg hunts are over, what theme will you come up with? Missing treasure, town exploring, animals? There are a lot of great lists online to get you started with some great idea. 

Bring your animal themed hunt to life using only our animal themed kits, Horn (Unicorn), Ape, Kitty, and Pup to liven up the party. Hide made animal Paper Punks as wild card finds or to create your own domestic safari!

Easter is just around the corner and there are so many fun arts and crafts ideas to get you and the kids in the mood to #MakeSomething!

We know this time of the year can be a busy one with family and friends, but why not incorporate some creativity in the mix to keep things interesting.

Here are some cute DIY project ideas everyone can participate in!

1) Paper Flowers

Paper flowers are likely to be the most popular trend when it comes to DIY arts and crafts for spring and it’s not hard to see why. You can make beautiful flowers of any shape or color and showcase them in an old vase.  The best part, you’ll have them for life!

2) Painting With Water Colors

Since it’s spring, the entire family can enjoy this art and craft in any way, shape, or form because there are so many beautiful things to paint and get creative with. Not to mention, it’s easy, fun, and the water-based paint wont damage furniture or clothes (something parents will appreciate!)

3) Construction Paper Easter Eggs

Construction paper crafts are simple and something kids will be familiar with. The great thing is that construction paper is versatile as there are so many colors to choose from! Scissors and glue are the best friends of this special craft. How cute are these Easter eggs!?

4) Paper Plate Bunnies

Make paper plate bunny rabbits for an Easter craft! Check your kitchen cabinets for some good old paper plates and use that imagination. This adorable rabbit craft uses other materials as well such as googly eyes, cotton balls, and pipe cleaners.

5) Building & Coloring with Paper Punk Color + Build Kits

Paper Punk’s Color + Build Graffiti Kit is a great way to get the mind flowing with positivity and things that make us happy like rainbows, hearts, and smiley face emojis. BONUS: you can add candy and treats in the Graffiti Blocks for even more happiness! The Fashion Designer Kit can inspire your little fashionistas to make cute outfits for spring through imaginative storytelling!

We hope you take the time this Easter to incorporate these fun art and craft activities into your weekend. We’re positive you and your family will not only enjoy the end results but enjoy the quality time spent with one another over the holiday season.

Happy Easter Paper Punk Fans!

Do you remember mood rings? Put one on and it would change colors according to your mood?

In the 70’s, they were a huge fad and made a comeback in the late 90’s/early 2000’s and for some reason, just won’t seem to go away. Why? In short, we think it’s because color really matters and by association, it does affect your mood.

Color touches literally every aspect of our lives – from fashion:

down to our mood (hello, mood rings!).

Color psychology is the study of hues as a determinant of human behavior and is tasked with the job of figuring out why we feel the way we do when it pertains to certain colors. Although the study is fairly new, what we know is that typically, colors in the red spectrum (red, orange and yellow) are known as warm colors and can evoke feelings anywhere from warmth and comfort to feelings of anger and hostility. While colors in the blue spectrum (blue, purple and green) evoke feelings anywhere from calmness to sadness.

Why does this matter? Simply put:

We LOVE color and there’s nothing like adding a little color to brighten your day. Whether it be a red a dress here or a blue top there, we love color.

Tell us what color is your favorite by tagging us @paperpunk and check out our Color + Build kits at www.paperpunk.com or at your local Target and get your coloring fix on. Trust us, you’ll thank us later. #MakeSomething

What do you do when you’re stressed or anxious? Eat? Exercise? Listen to music? Doodle?

Art therapy offers individuals who struggle with communicating an avenue to express themselves using non-verbal communication. Typically, through painting, drawing, or modeling.

Art therapy can be helpful amongst those who are experiencing a lot of stress or pressure, learning disabilities or difficulties, PTSD, depression, etc. or anyone who is simply looking for a way to explore themselves more deeply.

What are the benefits of art therapy? Besides getting to create cool art and finding a safe place to be yourself, the biggest benefit of art therapy are the insights you get from self-exploration. Art therapists are able of provide insight into your creations and help you understand and/or find meaning in your work.

Art therapy can also be a group effort. Finding people who share the same desire to find ways to relieve stress and discover themselves can be a beautiful thing.

We, at Paper Punk, believe in art therapy or any way to positively and creatively express yourself as an outlet. Crafting is a form of art therapy. It’s a way to relieve stress and have fun. Paper Punk can be a form of art therapy by making your own art using our pieces and creating your own characters. Tell your story using Paper Punk.

The Paper Possibilities blog is all about you and we love to show you some of our favorite highlights from December.

“These are fabulous for on the go creativity, so if you have travel plans this holiday season, these are a great project if you are trying to limit screen time, or keep your kids busy in the car while traveling.” - @NatalMe

“This is the sweetest little paper craft I’ve seen in a while and its perfect for boys! PAPER PUNK My littlest boy is going to be an engineer because he can put my Ikea drawers together in 10 min flat!!! and he made this little puppy from in about a half and hour.  PAPER PUNK is a great quiet time activity and looks darling on his shelf.” - @glitzypear

And last but not least, we love this video/film of our kit by Lucky Penny Shop. 

  

While this season may have been stressful, we hope that you had a chance to relax, spend some time with the people who matter most and had some fun!

We're not big into new years resolutions, but we did cave and decide to make a couple. This year we will:

1. Spend more time doing the things we love. 
2. Spend more time being creative. 
3. Swim against the current. 

What are some of your New Years resolutions?

We would love to feature you in our next artist/fan appreciation blog on January 31^st. Don’t be a punk and make sure to tag us in your work. Use #MakeSomething #PaperPunk said so for your chance to be included.