Things to do with straws

Press, 13 June 1978, Page 10

Things to do with straws

There was a young lady of Lynn Who was so uncommonly thin, That when she essayed To drink lemonade,

She slipped through the straw and fell in.

The lady in that limerick suffered a sad fate, but usually we have a lively time when we use straws. Not only are they fun to drink through, butwe can use them to make collage pictures and for play in our games. I hope you like the straw games and crafts listed below.

Magic Straws: Each player needs a drinking straw and two containers, one empty and the other filled with dried peas or haricot beans. (Containers like yoghurt pots are suitable).

On the word “Go,” each player sucks up a pea ot bean on to the end of the straw and, without touching it, drops it into the empty container.

Players continue sucking up peas or beans as fast as they can until the person organising the game shouts “Stop.” The player who has moved most peas or beans into the empty container wins the game. Straw Race: This game can be played by two or more children. For each player you need:— A small round bead or dried pea, and a drinking straw. You also need two lengths of string for the starting and finishing lines. First, lay the string across the floor to make a starting line and at some distance away, a finishing line.

Next, players get down on their hands and knees and wait, a little apart from one another, at the starting line. Each player holds a straw and places a bead or pea on the floor just over the starting line and in front of him. On the word “Go.” a player has to blow through his straw and try to move his bead or pea towards the finishing line. The ,person who reaches the line first wins the game.

This straw race may also be played outside. Mark the starting and finishing lines with sticks or chalk. Straw Neckiaces: Cut up drinking straws into pieces and thread cord or string through them. You can also make bracelets, belts, and crowns in this way.

Straw Ornament: You need 12 straws and a ribbon to make this striking ball of straw. Bunch the straws together and tie them tightly at the centre with the ribbon so that they' flair into a pompom. Hang from a doorway or ceiling.

Straw Drink: Finally, when you are- thirsty, and feel like a delicious drink, make yourself this banana milk shake — and sip it through a straw. You need:— 1 scooped tablespoon vanilla icecream: 1 peeled banana; ?

cups milk; a liquidiser. Place all ingredients in the liquidiser and allow to run for 10 seconds. Serve in glasses. There will be enough for two children.