Do you have a lot of leftover straws from parties or drinks on the go? Why not put them to good use and make some crafts with the kids? Straws are a cheap, easy-to-use crafting material that can be used for a variety of projects.
Here, we’re sharing 20 straw craft ideas to try. From simple bracelets to 3D straw structures, there’s something for everyone. Gather your straws and let the crafting begin!
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20 Cool Things to Make with Straws
Most of these projects are easy and require minimal supplies, so they’re perfect for kids of all ages. Let’s get started!
1. Straw Blow Painting
Add a rainbow on paper and use a straw to blow the paint around so that the colors run together. It’s a novel take on a painting that requires no paintbrush at all.
Once you’ve tried the rainbow, see what other fun designs you can make with the blow painting technique.
Also, be sure to check out this rainbow activity as well!
by Kidz Craft Corner
2. Sensory Rainbow
Fill a tray with shaving cream and use colorful straw segments to make a rainbow. Introduce kids to the ROYGBIV color concept for rainbows while you’re making it.
Kids will love squishing their hands in the fluffy shaving cream as they create and play.
If your kids enjoy this activity, be sure to check out how to make foam paint!
by Mess for Less
3. Heart Straw Necklace
Make some fun jewelry using straws! These straw heart necklaces are totally cute and easy enough for toddlers to make. Threading the straw pieces is excellent for fine motor practice for tiny fingers.
by Glue Sticks & Gumdrops
4. Snowflake Busy Box
Put together a snowflake busy box to keep toddlers and preschoolers entertained and engaged in the winter. Busy boxes are handy for long car rides or anytime you need a moment of quiet time to get things done around the house.
by Teach Me Mommy
5. Straw Rockets
Celebrate summer by making these straw rockets to take outdoors. Use the printable template and a pretty decorative straw to put them together quickly. How far will your rocket go?
by Artsy Fartsy Mama
6. Biting Shark Paper Plate Craft
When Shark Week arrives, you’ll be ready with a fun paper plate shark that really “chomps” with its mouth. One straw serves as the handle, while the other helps move the shark’s jaw up and down.
by Kids’ Craft Room
Related article: Paper Plate Rain Cloud Craft
7. Summer Straw Shooters
Make buzzy bees and cute butterflies to shoot from the tip of straws. These summer shooters are loads of fun for kids of all ages.
Need more summer crafts? We’ve got ’em!
by Red Ted Art
Related article: Easy Beaded Butterfly Craft For Kids
8. Straw Spider and Spiderweb
You’ll need lots of straws to make this creepy spider and colorful spiderweb. What a wonderful Halloween craft or project for a study on arachnids.
by Your Cub
Related article: 17 Best Halloween Sensory Bins For Kids
9. Straw Airplane Glider
Forget paper airplanes. This straw and paper glider is easy to make and flies even better than many paper airplane designs. It’s the perfect family activity with everyone making their own gliders and then having a contest to see whose plane can fly the farthest.
by Mombrite
10. Watermelon Pinwheel
Capture the essence of summer in this craft that’s as much fun to make as it is to play with. The straw serves as the handle for the pinwheel, and a plastic straw may be the sturdier choice for a DIY toy like this. If you prefer to use a paper one, however, it will work just fine.
by Kids’ Craft Room
11. Paper Straw Skeleton
No bones about it, this paper straw skeleton is a simple craft for Halloween or for a quick, kid-friendly study on the skeletal system. It’s ideal for the classroom because the supplies are minimal and not messy at all.
by Our Kid Things
12. Bat Shooters
Make bat rockets using the printable template and paper straws. They’ll be fun at Halloween parties where you can shoot them and compete with others to see whose bat flies the highest.
by Buggy and Buddy
13. Pipe Cleaner and Straw Apples
Back to school season is the perfect time to make apple crafts like this one using pipe cleaners, straw pieces, and buttons. Kids can practice cutting, threading, counting, and color sorting with one simple activity.
by A Dab of Glue Will Do
14. Paper Plate Sun Craft
Whether you’re studying a weather unit or simply want to bring a little sunshine into your home, this paper plate sun craft fits the bill. The pipe cleaner sunrays are capped with straw pieces, which is wonderful threading practice for kids.
by Buggy and Buddy
15. Paper Straw Spiders
These cute spiders will make fantastic Halloween crafts. They’re not scary at all! Paint large circles, give the spider colorful straw legs and add big googly eyes to complete the craft. They look silly and friendly rather than scary.
by Our Kid Things
16. Fireworks Straw Rockets
Ribbon and sparkly pipe cleaners top these straw rockets made to look like fireworks. Don’t they look dazzling? Make some for your 4th of July or New Year’s gathering. They’re perfect for kids who may be afraid of fireworks.
Check out these 4th of July Fireworks Crafts!
by Fantastic Fun and Learning
17. Engineering With Straws and Playdough
Have a budding engineer on your hands? Try this STEM activity with straws and playdough. It’s simple to set up and leaves so much room for open-ended creativity. You’ll be surprised at what children can build using only these two materials, straws, and playdoh.
by Fireflies and Mud Pies
18. Marble Maze Craft
Create a marble maze using straw segments and a shallow cardboard box. This simple DIY toy is a children’s classic. Even older children will enjoy making marble mazes.
by Kids Activities Blog
19. Paper Straw Christmas Tree Cards
Create gorgeous Christmas cards for family and friends using decorative paper straws. Add mini pom-poms and a gold star to complete the tree. You can use the same idea to make cards for Easter and other holidays.
by Honey and Lime
20. Fabric and Straw Bracelets
Strips of fabric and pieces of paper straws make for trendy-looking bracelets the kids will love wearing and sharing with their friends. You can use any fabric scraps you have on hand to make them. Recycle old t-shirts and turn them into fun jewelry!
by Mama Miss
Crafts With Straws- Final Thoughts
Do you have a favorite straw craft? We’d love to hear about it in the comments. Make sure you pin this post for later when you need some fun and easy craft ideas that will keep the kids entertained.
If you enjoyed this ice cream craft, follow us on Pinterest for more kid’s craft ideas!
Other fun crafts: