How to Make a Child's Straw Lei
Handmade leis help set the tone for a Hawaiian-themed birthday party or a luau culminating a study of Hawaiian history and culture. Each child can make a straw lei to adorn herself and put her into the spirit of the celebration. Simple paper flowers put a lei craft within the realm of a child's skills and let everyone get in on the fun.
Things You'll Need
- Tracing paper
- Pencil
- Scissors
- Bright-colored construction paper in several colors
- Hole punch
- Drinking straws
- String
- Large-eye needle
Instructions
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1
Sketch or trace a flower bloom pattern on tracing paper and cut out. Make a second pattern of a three-leaf cluster. Use the templates to make multiple copies of the flower in different colors and the leaves in green construction paper. Punch a hole in the center of each flower and leaf.
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2
Cut 1-inch pieces of drinking straw. Cut a piece of string to the desired length and thread on a large eye needle.
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3
Thread a straw piece onto the string, followed by a flower and a leaf. Repeat this sequence until the string is entirely covered, leaving only enough string on either end to tie it off into a loop to finish the flowery lei and start the celebration.
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Tips & Warnings
For very young children, pre-cut all the flowers and leaves ahead of time. Older children can make their own flowers.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Stockbyte/Stockbyte/Getty Images
