Room Decorations

• Make beaded curtains by measuring several pieces of string that reach from the top of the door frame to the floor. Cut colored straws into two- or three-inch pieces to thread on the string to create beaded curtains. For added decoration, kids can add craft foam pieces, pony beads and rhinestones in between the straws. Another idea is a picture frame. Have children glue drinking straws to the outside of a basic picture frame for decoration. Alternatively, cut the straws into pieces and use the pieces to spell out words on a picture frame.
  
  

Jewelry

• Create jewelry using yarn, drinking straws and beads. Have children cut the straws into two-inch pieces to string onto yarn. They can place charms and beads in between the straw pieces for added decoration. Alternatively, have them paint the straw pieces with a variety of colors or use small paintbrushes to paint designs on the straws. Make necklaces, bracelets, anklets and key chains with straws.
  
  

Painting

• Cover a table with newspaper to avoid any spills. Give each child a sheet of white paper and food coloring. Have the children place several drops of food coloring on the sheet of paper. Children can blow the food coloring all over the paper to create designs using a straw. For example, have a child place a few drops of red food coloring on the sheet of paper and use the straw to blow the food coloring into the shape of a heart. Another idea is to use acrylic paint instead of food coloring. Tell kids to blow softly into the drinking straw for best results.
  
  

Bubbles

• Kids can dip the end of drinking straws into bubble mixture and use the straw to blow bubbles. Make homemade bubble solution by mixing two-thirds of a cup of dishwashing liquid, three tablespoons of glycerin and one gallon of water in a large bucket. Another idea is to the have children bend drinking straws into various shapes to create homemade bubble wands. For example, they can bend straws into the shape of circles, hearts and squares. Place the ends of straws into one another to make them longer to create larger bubble wands.