How to Do a 3D Cube With Straw & String

Use straight straws or the straight portion of bendable straws.

Illustrate the concept that all the edges of a cube are equal by cutting 12 drinking straws to the same length and stringing them together to make a cube. Making a cube with string is more difficult than joining the straws with pipe cleaners because it is a bit difficult to thread the string through the straws. However, a cube made with string will not fall apart if it is dropped or handled roughly.

Things You'll Need

• 12 drinking straws
• 8 inches of thin floral wire
• String

Instructions

Assemble a Cube

1. Cut 12 straws, 6 inches long. Do not include the "bendy" portion of the straw.

2. Fold over 1 inch on the end of an 8-inch piece of floral wire to make a "needle" for stringing the straws.

3. Cut a 3-foot length of string. Fold the string 7 inches from the end and hook the folded end of the wire needle over the string at this point.

4. Thread four pieces of straw on the string. Remove the needle and tie the ends of the string together to form a square of straws.

5. Make a second square in the same way.

6. Cut another 3-foot length of string and attach the needle. Thread the string through one of the straws on a square then throughout a loose straw. Thread the string through a straw on the second square and through a second loose straw.

7. Tie the ends of the string together to form a square with the two other squares attached. It will look like a short ladder.

8. Cut a final length of string and thread it through the straw on the top of the ladder. Add a loose straw and then thread it through the straw on the bottom of the ladder. Add a final loose straw and knot the ends of the string together to join the straws into a cube.