Kids MAKE: Ninja Warriors

Supplies:

• 3 chenille stems for each figure
• 1 wooden bead big enough to be the head – 5/8 to 3/4 inch
• 1 or 2 regular-sized colored plastic drinking straws for each figure
• 5 pony beads for each figure
• Small wire cutters
• Scissors
• Ruler
• Permanent markers for the face
• Glue
• Optional: Yarn, extra chenille stems, felt scraps, or other decorative items

Directions:

1. Take one of the chenille stems and twist it around the other two about 2/3 of the way up; twist about three times, or enough so that they will not unwind. (See #1 picture below)
2. Slide 3 pony beads over both of the “legs” up to the twist you made.
3. With the permanent marker, draw a face on the bead; then slide the bead down over the middle two stems.(See #2 picture)
4. Cut off some of the excess stem above the bead, but leave enough to coil it into a bun. Use a little glue to glue the bun flat to the “head.” (Alternate method: Cut several strands of yarn for hair and twist the excess stem over it to hold it in place.)
5. With the scissors, snip eight sections of colored straw about 1 ¼ inches long.
6. Slide two of the sections over the “arms.” Twist the part of the stem that is sticking out to form mitten-type hands with thumbs. Tuck the excess stem back into the straw. (See #3 and #4 pictures)
7. Slide a section of the straw over each “leg;” add a pony bead, and then the other section of straw. Form the part of the stem that is sticking out into a big foot so your figure can stand up. Tuck the excess stem back into the straw.
8. If you want, you can decorate your figure with extra chenille stems, felt, yarn, or whatever you happen to have. You can make warriors, princesses, superheroes, knights – anything you want! (See #5 picture)

Watch this project at: https://youtu.be/UnGxbypCuBw?list=PLMEg2Dd0dSFctLfDQxsL5SmuE8zkwQFmu