Paper straws are a fun, versatile, and inexpensive material to use for crafting, building, and sensory exploration. Little builders may enjoy the design challenge of engineering with straws and playdough. What can they build?
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This activity kept my son and I occupied for an entire afternoon! We both enjoyed the large-scale building experience that straws and playdough provided. My son began by building a basic structure he referred to as a “house.” He soon discovered the importance of symmetry and proportion in his design as he struggled with his structure flopping over. The amount of playdough used for support also mattered!
There is a lot of good stuff going on in this activity! From fine-motor skill development to analytical problem-solving, building with straws and playdough provides a strong STEAM experience for kids.
Straw Activities and Crafts for Kids
Shared below are 20 engaging, creative straw crafts and activities for kids! Which one will you try?
Straw Crafts
Art engages the senses and these crafts have it all!
Straw-Blown Watercolor Painting | Tinkerlab
Paper Straw Easels | Wants and Wishes
Boat Craft for Kids to Make from Juice Boxes | Hands On As We Grow
Toilet Roll Ninjas | Kids Activities Blog
Pipe Cleaner Ninjas | Frugal Fun for Boys
Decorate Easter Eggs with Straws and Paint | Crafty Morning
Halloween Straw Necklaces | Fireflies and Mud Pies
Kids Christmas Tree Ornament | Crafty Morning
Drinking Straw American Flag | Reading Confetti
St. Patrick’s Day Leprechaun Straws | Fireflies and Mud Pies
Sensory Exploration with Straws
Engage children by exploring the texture and versatility of drinking straws.
Drinking Straw Sensory Tub | I Can Teach My Child
Making a Sensory Rainbow with Straws | Mess for Less
Magical Straw Bubble Blower | Paging Fun Mums
Giant Bubble Recipe with Straw Bubble Wands | Happy Hooligans
Playdough and Drinking Straws | No Time for Flashcards
Straw Fine-Motor Activities
The straw activities shared below build fine-motor skills and enhance hand-eye coordination.
Fine Motor Skills with Crazy Straws | Powerful Mothering
Q-Tips and Straws – Fine Motor Activity | Mess for Less
Simple Straw Drop for Toddlers | Kitchen Floor Crafts
Straw Rockets | The Pleasantest Thing
Build a Marble Run with Straws | Frugal Fun for Boys
This post is part of the 31 Fun Sensory Activities Blog Hop. Click the image below for more fun ideas!
Science Kiddo says
Love this great STEM activity! Our favorite activities are often open ended and simple, too. Thanks for linking up at STEM Saturday!
Matea says
This is such a great idea. You’ve opened my eyes! Thank you, I’m sharing this one!!!
Megan says
This is such a great simple ideas. We’ll have to do this on our next snow day:)
Ana says
Hi. I was just wondering. What is a STEAM activity?
Fireflies and Mud Pies says
STEAM is Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math.
Suanne says
Thank you for this simple and engaging activity suggestion!
I am a 3rd grade teacher, currently teaching remotely due to this
dratted Pandemic! My scholars are not littles, but they are also not big kids! That makes finding activities that are not baby-is, but not too sophisticated a challenge! I am building makerspace kits to send home to
my scholars, but also wanted some guided activity ideas to provide to them.
This really fits the needs!!
I will share your post and also encourage creativity and extensions to this
activity.