How to Make Paper Handcuffs

Things You'll Need

Newspaper
Rubber cement glue or duct tape
Scissors

The next time your kids beg you for a pair of handcuffs to complete their game of cops and robbers, offer to help them make their own. Real handcuffs are inappropriate and may pose a hazard for childhood play, but with some old sheets of newspaper and glue, you can satisfy your kids' desires with a safe and painless version of the real thing.

Step 1

Fold a sheet of newspaper in half length-wise several times until you have a long strip about two inches wide.

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Step 2

Bend the sheet into a circular cuff just large enough to slip over your child's wrist. Cut the ends if they are too long, but allow about an inch of the paper to overlap.

Step 3

Glue or tape the overlapping ends. If you are using glue, hold the ends in place until the glue dries. Repeat Steps 1 through 3 to create a second cuff.

Step 4

Create several smaller versions of the cuff. Do this by cutting the newspaper to about one-quarter of its original size and folding it length-wise several times to create a strip.

Step 5

Wrap the first strip around one of the large cuffs before gluing or taping it. Wrap the second small strip around the first small strip and so on to produce a paper chain. Attach the last link of the chain to the second large cuff and you are done. You can make the chain as long as you like.

Warning

Over-exposure to rubber cement glue can cause headaches, nausea, dizziness or in worst case scenario, loss of consciousness. Try not to breathe in the rubber cement excessively and work in a well ventilated area.

Avoid open flames or spark sources while working with rubber cement glue.