Why not try making playthings using chenille stems (pipe cleaners), that bend and wiggle any way you like?
You don’t even need pliers—since you can easily bend and twirl them by hand, even little kids can have fun making them!
Just be careful with the sharp wire tips.
From cute toys you can make and display to fun toys you can play with together with friends, we’re sharing lots of ideas.
Find your favorite and give it a try!
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Make It with Pipe Cleaners! A Collection of Simple, Fun, Playable Toy Ideas (1–10)
funny glasses
Let’s make some stylish glasses using pipe cleaners! Prepare two long pipe cleaners and two bendy straws.
First, fold both pipe cleaners in half and hook them together, then twist the center to secure.
Shape the pipe cleaners into round lens frames, and twist again to hold the shape.
Bend the pipe cleaners at the point you twisted so that it’s at a 90-degree angle to the lenses, then thread the straws on to create the temples.
Bend the accordion part of the straws to form the curve that hooks over your ears, and you’re done!
A moving toy made of magnets and chenille stems
Let’s make a moving toy using chenille stems (pipe cleaners).
You’ll need: a round empty box, chenille stems, two plastic bottle caps, string, a magnet, construction paper, cardboard, and a clear plastic sheet (like a transparent file board).
Remove the lid from the box and attach dandelion leaves and a stem made from construction paper to the bottom inside.
In the lid, cut out a circular opening 1.2 cm in from the outer edge, then attach the clear plastic sheet cut to the same size as the lid on the underside.
Put finely cut yellow chenille stems into the box, close the lid, and tape it shut.
Attach a magnet to one of the bottle caps, cover it with construction paper on top, then make a hole and thread a string through; glue it to the other cap that has the hole and string.
Connect the end of the string to the empty box to finish.
When you press the cap against the box, the magnet will pull the chenille stems and make them move—use this to create the dandelion’s flower part.
Moral Candy
Sweet and delicious candies that kids love! With this idea, you can make ribbon-shaped candies wrapped in “wrapping paper.” First, bend the chenille stem at the 1 cm mark, then bend it again at the 2 cm mark to form a small triangle.
Make a matching triangle on the opposite side, then wrap the remaining part of the stem around the center to complete the candy! If you make a lot and fill a jar, they’ll look just like real candies.
You can also use them as ribbons, making a great accent for your crafts!
whisk
Let me show you how to make a whisk you can use for pretend play.
Prepare three 30-centimeter silver pipe cleaners.
First, cross two of them into a plus shape, twist them together to secure, then add the remaining one so it doesn’t overlap the first two and twist to fix it in place.
Curve the pipe cleaners into rounded shapes, then twist all the ends together to gather them—this completes the wire part of the whisk.
Thread the twisted ends into a straw to serve as the handle and glue them in place.
Decorate with craft parts or anything you like, and it’s done.
With such a cute item, your cooking play is sure to be even more fun!
flowering
Let me share an idea for making a flower ring with chenille stems (pipe cleaners).
You’ll use one stem for the base and two for the flower.
Fold the two flower stems in half so their ends meet, hook the two folded stems together, and twist the centers to secure them.
Spread the ends of the stems into a cross shape, then curl them to make four petals.
Twist the base stem onto the center of the finished flower, place it against your finger to form the ring, and trim any excess stem—done! It’s a perfect idea for pretend play or a small gift.
mold back
Here’s a bag craft idea using construction paper and chenille stems (pipe cleaners).
Since threading is part of the process, kids can make it while enjoying fine-motor play.
First, fold a sheet of construction paper in half and punch evenly spaced holes along both sides.
The number of holes is up to you, but keep it to a level that children will find fun.
Thread pipe cleaners through the holes and twist the ends to secure them.
Punch two holes at the top center of the bag and attach a pipe cleaner as the handle—that’s it! Twisting two pipe cleaners together for the handle makes it extra cute.
Spider and spider web
Let’s make a spider and a spiderweb with pipe cleaners.
First, I’ll explain how to make the spider.
Take four short pieces of pipe cleaner, stack them, and twist them together at the center to secure them.
Then curl or bend the ends to form the legs.
Wrap a longer pipe cleaner around the twisted center to create the body, and stick on googly-eye stickers to finish! For the spiderweb, overlap and secure four long pipe cleaners in a radial pattern to make the base, then wrap another pipe cleaner around them in a spiral.
This looks like a handy idea for Halloween decorations, too.