How to Create Easy Use Chopsticks

Getting a child to try new things can be difficult sometimes. Adding the difficulty of chopsticks to the meal can put embarrassment on top of that. Making easy to use chopsticks for a child will add the fun of using a new tool without the frustration of juggling the two sticks. Who thought picking up vegetables could be so much fun?

Things You'll Need

• Small rubber band (size 16 is perfect)
• Wooden chopsticks in paper sleeve

Instructions

1. Remove chopsticks from the paper sleeve.

2. Carefully pull apart the wooden chopsticks. Try to pull them apart so that they are as even as possible. You do not want one chopstick with most of the wood from the split.

3. Take the paper sleeve and begin rolling the paper fairly tight. Roll it from the top or bottom, not the long way. Roll it all the way to the end. When you are done the roll should be approximately a half inch long.

4. Hold a chopstick in one hand and the paper roll in your other hand, then place the roll approximately 3/4 of an inch from the top end of chopstick. The top of the chopstick is the thicker end of the chopstick. Hold the roll in place with the same hand you are holding the chopstick, freeing up one hand.

5. Take the rubber band and put it right next to the paper roll on the side opposite the top of the chopstick. Bring the remaining part of the band to the outside of the chopstick.

6. Put the other chopstick on top of the paper roll and rubber band. You will now have two chopsticks with a paper roll and rubber band in between them. The paper roll is closest to the top of the chopstick with the rubber band just below it.

7. Take the rubber band, twist it once and pull it over both chopsticks. This will make an "X" on the outside of the chopstick. Complete this one more time on the other side.

8. Wrap the rubber band multiple times until tight around the top of the chopsticks close to paper roll. It must be tight enough to hold the sticks apart at the bottom but loose enough to give a little without snapping rubber band.

9. Hold chopsticks in one hand and use to pinch food. The chopsticks should work similar to tweezers. A child will probably find this much easier and fun to use until he develops the skills to use chopsticks the traditional way.

Tips & Warnings

• There are also tools commercially made for this. Imagine a silicone hinge in different colors and shapes that have holes to insert chopsticks into.

• Many kids may want to keep the chopsticks to use later. Remember that it was used with food and can cause illness if children eat with them at a later time. You may be able to compromise by getting a few extra sets to make at a later time or for a special occasion.