Make Switch Plate Covers

(not rated)

Does your house needs some fancy decorations? Try making your own switch plate covers! It's easy to do, and kids can get creative and work on their fine motor skills at the same time. After tracing an outline, cutting it out, and gluing the pieces together, kids will feel confident and accomplished every time they see their brand new works of art.

What You Need:

Standard one-switch plates
Decorative paper, one inch bigger than switch plate
Sharp pencil
Scissors
White glue
Stiff-bristle paint brush
Rubber-handled screwdriver
Tape

What You Do:

Have your child place a switch plate right side up on the center of a piece of paper, and trace the perimeter. Turn the switch plate over, match it to the perimeter, then trace the hole where the switch comes through.
Now, use the switch plate as a straight-edge to draw diagonal cut lines between corners of the paper and corresponding corners of the perimeter outline.
Have her snip along diagonals, stopping just short of the perimeter.
If she's an accomplished snipper, she can also trim out the switch hole. Otherwise do this tricky part yourself: fold the paper in half without creasing, snip through center of the hole and trim.
Have her use a paintbrush to cover the outward-facing side of the switch plate with a thin layer of glue.
With the paper flat in front of you, turn the switch plate over, align with the perimeter outline and lay the switch plate down, sticking it to the paper.
Smooth the paper from the center hole outward.
Working with the switch plate face down, have your child brush glue on the inside of each paper flap.
Then fold the flaps over the switch plate edges and press down to adhere.
When the glue's dry, turn off your power at the breaker. Unscrew the old switch and save it to decorate later.
Position the new switch plate. Turn the screw a few times to seal it while she watches, then invite her to finish while you hold the plate. Now you have a new, fancy switch plate cover!

Get creative with these switch plate covers! You can encourage your child to draw her own designs to go on the switch plates, or you can write eco-friendly messages such as "Turn me off!" or "Save energy!" They can be great reminders for the whole family, and they'll give your house some creative flair!