Straws - Page 2 of 4

The Cardboard Box Pinball Goal

Steps:

Open the shoe box and remove the lid to create your play arena.
Cut small strips of cardboard from the lid to make bumpers.
Tape the bumpers inside the box at different angles using masking tape.
Cut a paper straw into three pieces and tape them down as obstacles.
Use your markers to draw point values like 10 or 50 on the bumpers.
Hold the box with both hands and place the ping pong ball inside.
Tilt the box slowly to roll the ball and hit every bumper target!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child while they are using scissors. Ensure the box edges are smooth to prevent any small scratches during play.

The Straw Pipe Cleaner Architect

Steps:

Help your child cut the straws into smaller pieces of different lengths using the scissors.
Show them how to slide a pipe cleaner through one straw piece and then into another.
Encourage them to bend the pipe cleaner at the joints to connect the straws at different angles.
Challenge your child to build a simple shape first, like a triangle or a square.
Once they get the hang of it, see if they can build a 3D structure like a house or a pyramid!
They can use longer pipe cleaners to tie pieces together for extra strength.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise children when using scissors. Ensure the ends of the pipe cleaners are tucked in to avoid any sharp pokes.

The Tilted Straw Maze

Steps:

Use markers to draw a start and finish line on a paper plate.
Cut colorful straws into several small pieces using your scissors.
Glue the straw pieces onto the plate to build maze walls.
Leave enough space between the straws for a marble to roll.
Place a marble at the start line once the glue is dry.
Hold the plate with both hands and tilt it to move the marble.
Try to reach the finish line without the marble falling off!

Safety Tip:
Marbles are a significant choking hazard. Always supervise children during play and keep all small materials away from younger siblings.

The Sticky Straw Chimney

Steps:

Tape the bottom of a paper roll to a stable table.
Wrap masking tape around the roll with the sticky side out.
Give your child a bunch of colorful straws to hold.
Have them press each straw vertically onto the sticky tape.
Ask them to build a full circle of straws around the roll.
Drop fluffy cotton balls through the top of your straw chimney.
See if you can catch the balls as they pop out!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child during play to ensure they do not put straws or cotton balls in their mouth.

The Bead Bridge Slide

Steps:

Cut two short pieces of a straw, each about two inches long.
Tape these pieces vertically onto a piece of cardboard, leaving a six-inch gap between them.
Thread four colorful beads onto a full-length straw.
Slide the ends of the long straw into the two short taped pieces to create a bridge.
Ask your child to use their pinching fingers to slide the beads from one end to the other.
Challenge them to move the beads back and forth without letting the straw bridge collapse!

Safety Tip:
Adult supervision is required because beads and straw pieces are small and can be a choking hazard.