How to Make Chopstick Holders for Kids

Eating with chopsticks is enough of a challenge for your average adult. For kids, using these exotic utensils requires fine motor skills that may not be fully developed. A set of chopstick holders makes the process easier by allowing a child to focus on the gripping action at the tips.

Things You'll Need

• Chopsticks
• Wine cork
• Sandpaper
• Rubber band
• Craft foam
• Craft knife
• Mini clothespin
• Hot-glue gun

Instructions

Method 1

1. Cut a 1-inch-thick cross section from the narrow end of the cork using the craft knife. If the cork is stained from red wine, trim the stained portion before cutting the cross section.

2. Use the sandpaper to rub the sides of the cork. Shape the sides until you've made a slight groove with a raised ridge on the outside, all around. This is where the chopsticks will sit; the groove will prevent them from sliding off the edge of the cork.

3. Place the cork between the chopsticks. Position the sticks inside the grooves on the cork and about three inches from the top of the chopsticks.

4. Wrap the rubber band around the outside of the chopsticks and the cork.

Method 2

1. Cut a strip of craft foam 1-1/2 inches wide by 4 inches long.

2. Lay the thick end of one chopstick against the outside edge of the mini clothespin. Line up the end of the chopstick with the bottom of the clothespin (the part that opens to clamp over clothes).

3. Apply hot glue to the sides of the clothespin, just below the chopstick. Don't apply glue to the stick itself.

4. Wrap the strip of craft foam from one side of the chopstick to the other. Attach it with the hot glue as if you were using a piece of tape to secure the chopstick in place. Trim the excess foam.

5. Repeat the process with the other chopstick. When the glue dries, you'll have a chopstick holder that you can attach to, and remove from, the chopsticks.

References

• "The Big-Ass Book of Crafts"; Mark Montano, et al.; 2008