How to Decorate Rain Sticks With Bamboo

Making a cardboard tube rain stick is easy, but represents only half the job. To take it to the next level, decorate your project with bamboo skewers, jute and paint for a cool look and interesting texture.

Things You'll Need

• Bamboo skewers
• Craft glue
• 4 rubber bands
• Jute or raffia
• Scissors (or small pruners)
• Paint

Instructions

1. Apply craft glue to one section of the rain stick. Lay 3 to 5 bamboo skewers on the tube. The skewers may not be the right length, but they can be trimmed later.

2. Continue applying glue and laying skewers around the tube in small sections. When the tube is completely covered, secure the skewers with rubber bands.Wait 15 minutes for the glue to dry, and then remove the rubber bands.

3. Check that the sticks are holding on to the tube. Tie jute or raffia around the tube at the top and bottom for decoration.

4. Trim the ends of the bamboo skewers using a small pruner or scissors. Cut each stick even to the top of your rain stick. This step may require adult supervision.

5. Paint geometrical designs on the bamboo sticks for a final decorative touch.

Tips & Warnings

• Bamboo skewers can be purchased in the kitchen utensil aisle of most grocery stores.

• Thinner skewers will be easier to trim with scissors. If you have thicker skewers, trim those to the appropriate length before gluing them on the tube.

• Alternating thin and thick skewers will give the rain stick an interesting finish.