Silly straw art.

Did you ever stop to think that art can be made from simple materials and objects that you use every day? How about the straws you sometimes drink with? With just a little glue and some scissors, summertime's colorful drinking straws can be turned into silly critters. It can also be an artful way to recycle. (Just wash out any used straws first!) We'll show you one way to make your new silly friend. Use your creativity and imagination to invent many more!

You Will Need:

2 flexible plastic straws or sport bottle replacement straws in bright colors (also called "singing" or "whistling" straws because they whistle when you blow into them! They can be found in grocery or party supply stores. They have a bumpy texture.)

2 smooth plastic drinking straws in bright colors

2 "google eyes" or two beads for eyes.

Scissors Ruler Strong white craft glue (like "Aleene's Original Tacky

Glue") or a glue gun. Cold temperature glue guns are safest. Adult supervision required when using any type of glue gun. Tacky glue will begin to bond in 10 minutes. A glue gun will bond within seconds.

How to Make a Silly Straw Critter:

1. Cut one of the flexible sport bottle straws in half.

2. Look for the 2 seam lines on the straw. Starting at the bumpy end of the straw, insert scissors and cut the straw on one seam line. Stop cutting when you get to the smooth part of the straw. Repeat on the other side. This "opens up" the straw to make the two wings.

3. Hold the straw so the uncut bumpy side faces you, and cut the smooth end of the straw on a diagonal.

4. Carefully trim both ends of the open straw to a point.

5. Measure the second flexible straw starting with the smooth end, and cut it to 3" long.

6. Cut the smooth end of the straw on a diagonal. This is the inner body of the critter.

7. Put some glue on the inner body. Fit it into the outer body as shown.

8. Cut a 1" length of the first color sport bottle straw. Cut along both seams so you have 2 halves. Trim each end to a point.

9. Glue these small pieces onto the top of the critter's body.

10. Cut 2" off both of the smooth straws. Insert scissors into each straw and cut lengthwise to open them up. Cut the plastic into thin strips.

11. Fold four strips at one end. Glue the strips to the critter's head to make antennae.

12. Glue on both eyes (or beads).

13. Glue four strips of plastic onto the critter's body for legs. Fold the ends to make feet!

You've just made a new friend! Think of a silly name for your critter. Maybe he or she would feel at home on a house plant, or perhaps it would be fun to tie some fishing line or string around your critter to hang anywhere you like!