Let's make toys with straws! Easy and fun DIY toys
Let’s use straws to make fun toys!
When you hear “straw,” you probably think of the tool you use to drink juice and other beverages.
But did you know that, with a bit of creativity, they can transform into all kinds of toys?
In this article, we’ll introduce straw-based toys and crafts that children in nursery school or kindergarten will love.
Instruments, vehicles, nostalgic classics, and even accessories…!
Straws transform in seven ways?! Exciting, heart-pounding handmade crafts—what can you make?
Give it a try yourself!
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Let’s make toys with straws! Simple and fun handmade toys (21–30)
Magic hand
A magic hand is a device where you use a mechanism to move a hand motif that’s larger than a real hand.
The unique mechanism gives it a slightly awkward motion, which is fun to watch on its own.
To make one, cut construction paper into the shape of a hand, leave openings at the finger joints and apply double-sided tape, then create the “bones” with short pieces of straw.
After that, thread string through the straws and you’re done—when you pull the strings, the fingers curl at the joints.
To make it easy to tell which string controls which finger, it’s recommended to use different-colored straws and match the color at the end of each string to the straw it runs through.
Mini crane game with straws
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This is an idea for enjoying a crane game easily using just simple materials.
Bend the accordion section of a straw and secure it firmly with tape to create the arm.
Wrap construction paper around it to add strength, and cut the tip with scissors, spreading it out like petals.
This serves as the crane’s claw, allowing you to grab small prizes.
For operation, lighter materials are easier to handle, so colorful pom-poms or small beads are recommended.
Because the straw is easy to move, even children can operate it without using too much force.
It’s a fun idea that combines the ease of crafting with playability.
straw airplane
Popular in after-school care, the “straw airplane” is a fun craft that’s easy to make with a straw and construction paper—and it flies really well.
First, cut off the bendy part of the straw with scissors so it’s straight.
Next, cut two long, narrow strips from the construction paper, roll each into a ring, and tape them to the front and back of the straw.
Using a smaller ring in front and a larger ring in back makes it stable and helps it fly surprisingly far.
Kids are amazed at how it flies differently from a regular paper airplane! You can compete to see whose airplane flies the farthest, try different throwing techniques, and enjoy playing over and over.
Sensory straw bottle
Let’s make a sensory straw bottle that beautifully showcases colors shimmering and moving.
By sealing straws filled with different colors into a single bottle, you can create an even more vibrant world.
It’s a simple process: add glitter and oil to the straws so they don’t leak, then arrange them inside the bottle.
A key highlight is the wide range of customization options—what you put inside the straws, how you arrange them in the bottle, and how you decorate the outside of the bottle.
You can enjoy its beauty just by turning the bottle over, but it can also be fun to experiment with different ways of moving it, like rolling it around.
Let’s make a flute
As a one-day science project, here’s a fun idea for making a simple flute.
Since this involves using fire, be sure to work with an adult.
Prepare three thick straws and flatten one end of each.
Use a lighter to gently heat the flattened end, then pinch the melted section with a clip to seal it.
After making all three the same way, blow into them—you’ll hear a flute-like sound.
The pitch changes with the length of the straws, so adjust them to create the scale you like.
Roll-and-drop game made with straws
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Here’s a fun-to-make, fun-to-play marble run you can build with straws.
Gather tapioca (boba) straws, beads, masking tape, and scissors, and let’s get started.
Cut the tip of a tapioca straw at an angle, then tape it to a wall with masking tape, adjusting the angle as you go.
Add guards at the ends of the straws so the rolling beads don’t fall out.
The key is to tweak the angles so the beads roll smoothly.
Once it’s finished, try rolling some beads and play! It could also be fun to turn this into a little science project—prepare beads of different sizes and time how many seconds each one takes to roll through.
A whistle you can blow with a straw
Here’s how to make a whistle out of a straw.
Cut two slits at one end of a straw and trim it so the width forms a rectangle.
Cut the other end of the straw and fit it over the rectangular end, then secure it with cellophane tape.
Adjust the tape so the width becomes a square.
Cut another straw to about 5 centimeters and flatten one end.
Place the flattened end over the side where you can see the square gap, and secure it with cellophane tape.
The key is to test-blow it and check the sound before taping everything down firmly.
Change the lengths of the straws to create different pitches, fix them in place, and you’re done.
Kids are sure to get excited about a whistle made from everyday materials!
straw wrapper
Kids will be thrilled to work on making sound-producing instruments.
Here’s how to make a trumpet using a straw and construction paper.
Prepare a half-circle of construction paper about 25 to 30 centimeters across.
Roll the paper into a cone shape.
Cut both sides of the tip of the straw to create a pointed edge, then insert that pointed tip into the cut end of the paper cone.
Secure the construction paper and the straw with cellophane tape, and you’re done.
When playing, pinch the tip of the straw flat and blow.
It’s a simple craft, but it can produce a unique sound.
Drop-in game with a straw
“Straw drop” is a type of therapeutic play that supports children’s development.
Through this activity, kids can build fine motor skills and concentration.
By grasping straws and dropping them into holes, they also enhance hand–eye development and observation skills.
Recognizing colors and shapes and developing an interest in numbers stimulate their senses and cognitive abilities, making this a recommended support tool.
It also gives children a sense of achievement.
Since they can learn while having fun, try making your own version and enjoy it together with the kids!
Cool rubber band gun
Let me introduce a strong and cool rubber band gun.
Prepare 17 bendable straws, a clothespin, tape, and scissors, and let’s make it.
Take two straws and tape their bendable sections together to secure them.
Attach one clothespin to the gap of the joined straws to create the base.
When bundling straws, secure them tightly so the stacked pieces don’t shift.
Stack eight straws by grouping them in sets of four, extend the bendable sections, and build the structure.
When attaching parts together, make sure the straws are firmly fixed so they don’t slip.
Once it’s finished, hook on a rubber band and give it a try!