We love making our own toys using recycled materials. Our wiggly snake friend has been so much loved and played with I had to make another one so the kids could have a snake each.
MATERIALS:
- Bottle tops
- Thick corrugated cardboard
- 15mm wooden beads
- Small plastic beads
- String
- Googly eyes
- Paints (optional)
HOW TO:
Begin by drawing around a bottle top on the cardboard. We cut approximately 25 cardboard discs the same size as the milk bottle tops to make the snake body and 5 smaller cardboard discs for the tail. If you want to make your snake longer, just cut more discs!
Making sure all your bottle tops are clean first, make a hole in the middle of each bottle top large enough to allow your cord to be easily threaded through. To make our holes we heated up a metal skewer and melted a hole. Alternatively you could use a sharp point, drill or scissors to carefully make a hole. (Adults please help with this!) Make holes in the middle if each of your cardboard discs.
To begin making your snake, cut a piece of thin cord, approximately 150cm long. Thread the embroidery needle and move it into the middle of the cord. Taking the ends of the cord, thread 4 small plastic beads onto each side and tie knots in the ends to prevent the beads from coming off. Now thread 8 small beads into your needle making a Y shape tongue for the snake.
Begin threading cardboard discs, bottle tops and wooden beads to make the body of your snake. Add a wooden bead on the inside of each bottle tops, this creates a space between the bottle top and the next cardboard disc, allowing your snake to undulate.
Continue threading until the end, using smaller bottle tops and cardboard discs to graduate the tail of the snake to a smaller diameter.
Add some small beads at the end, tie a knot to secure and trim the excess cord. Either draw or glue on googly eyes to make eyes for your snake. Cut a length of cord approx. 100cm long and tie each end onto the snakes head and body making your marionette. Now let your snake wiggle!
OUR FAVOURITE CRAFTY THINGS >>>
Here at Mini Mad Things, when I'm not busy crafting up a storm with my little ones, I also run a small online shop selling a range of eco-friendly kids ART SUPPLIES, CRAFT BOXES and beautiful art activity BOOKS. All the products that I sell are tried and tested by my awesome team of rigorous quality control experts (my little ones) and we only sell items that we love!
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LOOKING FOR MORE UP-CYCLED CRAFTY FUN?
If you are looking for more crafty fun made using up-cycled materials check out our UP-CYCLED KIDS CRAFTS E-BOOK!
This e-book includes 20 awesome art & craft projects to make at home using items from from your household recycling and a few simple craft supplies. The book includes a selection of art projects, DIY toys and fun crafts, there is something for everyone.
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