How to Make a Pipe Cleaner Bee

Do you need to entertain your kids on a rainy day? You can help them to create a charming craft in minutes--pipe cleaner bees. With only a few household items, they can make these adorable bees as gifts, decorations or just for fun.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 2 black 12-inch pipe cleaners for each bee
• 1 yellow 12-inch pipe cleaner
• Scissors or nail clippers
• Wiggly eyes and glue (optional)

1. Twist 1 black and 1 yellow pipe cleaner together, forming a black and yellow striped stick. You can also use a single yellow and black striped pipe cleaner if you have one. Wrap the stick around your smallest finger and then release it to form a body coil.

2. Cut a 3-inch section from another black pipe cleaner. Wrap it around a pencil to form a slightly smaller head coil. Attach the two coils by tightly winding together one end from each.

3. Clip a 1-inch section of black pipe cleaner. Bend it in half, forming a tight V shape of a bee stinger. Fasten the V to the back end of the bee by wrapping the loose ends around the rear coil.

4. Bend the remaining length of black pipe cleaner into a pretzel shape, twisting the ends to itself to hold the shape. Join the wings to the body by twisting the lower edge into a middle coil.

5. Shape the bee body to suit your taste. You can squish the pieces for a tight shape, or pull on them for a loose, crafty look. Glue wiggle eyes to the head if desired.

Tips & Warnings

• If you don't want to dull scissors by cutting metal pipe cleaners, use an old pair of nail clippers.
• Pipe cleaner bees can add décor to houseplants. Glue one to a craft stick and insert in the pot. Add a few to your flower garden to attract real bees to pollinate the flowers.
• These bees can present a choking hazard to children under the age of 5. Adult supervision is required.