- Use straws cut into 1-inch pieces and colorful paper flowers to create a fashionable drinking straw craft. To create flower leis, use a paper punch to produce flower cut-outs from vibrant card stock or decorative paper. Punch a small hole in the center of each flower. Measure and cut a piece of yarn or stretch cording so the lei will easily slip over the child's head. Tie a paper clip to one end of the string to prevent items from slipping off as the kids make the leis. Show the children how to add a paper flower, a straw piece, another flower and another straw piece to follow a pattern that will cover the entire string. Remove the paper clip and tie the ends together to complete the floral necklace.
- Turn drinking straws into funky lightweight beaded door curtains. Cut neon-colored straws into 2-inch pieces. Measure and cut pieces of string that reach from the door frame to the floor. Tie a large plastic bead to the bottom of the string. Thread straw pieces onto the string along with items like colorful pony beads, novelty buttons and foam shapes. Tie the filled string at the top before taping it to the door frame. Repeat the process until the child has enough strings to cover the bedroom doorway.
- Let younger children create abstract pictures using bubble-blowing solution, liquid watercolor paints and drinking straws. Mix bottles of bubble solution with enough watercolor paint to produce the desired shade. Pour the solution into shallow bowls. Give each child a straw and a bowl, and instruct the kids to blow bubbles in the solution until the bubbles rise above the rim of the bowl. Press a piece of white construction paper onto the surface of the bubbles so they'll pop and leave pretty prints on the background.
- Organize straw crafts for children's parties to let the kids create personalized tableware. Give each child a foam shape that suits the theme of the party, such as stars for the Fourth of July, hearts for Valentine's Day or bunnies for Easter. Let the kids embellish the shapes with stickers, markers or glitter glue. Carefully cut a horizontal, 1/2-inch slit across the center of the foam shape. Cut an identical slit 1/4 inch above the first. Thread a drinking straw through the slits and use the customized straws to enjoy refreshing beverages.
