10 Clever Pipe Cleaner Crafts and Learning Activities

For a long time, pipe cleaners were a necessary classroom supply. They are cheap, colourful, and incredibly useful. Try one of these activities made with pipe cleaners with your children to infuse your classroom with colour and vibrancy while also having some fun! Here is a collection of 10 of our best projects made with pipe cleaners.

1. Craft cuddly mini teddy bears

Sure, making cuddly mini teddy bears is a delightful project! Here’s a simple guide to help you craft your own:

Materials:

• Fabric: Soft, plush fabric like fleece, felt, or minky (small scraps are sufficient).
• Stuffing: Polyfill or any soft stuffing material.
• Thread: Matching or contrasting thread for sewing.
• Needle: Hand-sewing needle or sewing machine.
• Pattern: Mini teddy bear pattern (you can find free patterns online or create your own).
• Fabric scissors: for cutting the fabric.
• Pins: For holding fabric pieces together while sewing.
• Buttons or felt: for eyes and nose (ensure they’re securely attached if the bear will be handled by small children).
• Embroidery Floss: For facial features if you prefer stitched features.
• Glue: Fabric glue for any non-sewn details or for attaching buttons.

Instructions:

1. Prepare the pattern:
   • Print out a teddy bear pattern or create your own. The size can vary based on how mini you want your bear to be. A typical mini teddy bear might be around 4-6 inches tall.
2. Cut the fabric:
   • Place the pattern pieces on the fabric and pin them in place.
   • Cut out the pieces carefully. You’ll need two body pieces, two arms, two legs, and two ears.
3. Sew the Pieces Together:
   • With right sides together, sew the body pieces together, leaving openings for the arms, legs, and ears. You can use a sewing machine or hand sew with a needle and thread.
   • Attach the arms and legs to the body, then sew the head to the body. Make sure to leave a small opening for turning and stuffing.
4. Turn and Stuff:
   • Turn the teddy bear right side out through the opening.
   • Stuff the bear with polyfill or your chosen stuffing material. Ensure it’s evenly distributed and puffy but not too tight.
5. Close the opening:
   • Hand sew the opening closed using a ladder stitch for a neat finish.
6. Add Features:
   • Sew on or glue on buttons or felt pieces for the eyes and nose. If using buttons, make sure they’re securely attached.
   • Alternatively, use embroidery floss to stitch facial features if you prefer a more classic look.
7. Add Ears:
   • Sew the ears to the head of the bear. If you prefer, you can also glue them on.
8. Final Touches:
   • Check for any loose threads or imperfections. Trim any excess fabric if needed.

Tips:

• Choose Soft Fabric: For the most cuddly result, pick a fabric that’s soft and plush.
• Use Small Stitching: For a neat finish and to keep stuffing from showing, use small, tight stitches.
• Personalize: Consider adding a little bow or scarf to give your teddy bear a unique touch.

Enjoy your crafting! Each mini teddy bear can be a charming and lovable creation

2. Grow crystal icicles

To your surprise, pipe cleaners work perfectly as a growing medium for crystals in borax-based supersaturated solutions. This is one of those things that you can do with a pipe cleaner that always amazes me.

3. Travel to a galaxy far, far away

Embark on an interstellar journey to a galaxy far, far away! Imagine soaring through the cosmos past twinkling stars and swirling nebulae to discover worlds unlike any you’ve ever seen. In this distant galaxy, you might encounter diverse alien civilizations, explore exotic planets with breathtaking landscapes, and witness celestial phenomena that defy imagination. Whether you’re navigating asteroid belts, delving into ancient space mysteries, or forging alliances with extraterrestrial beings, the adventure promises to be as boundless as the universe itself. So, fasten your seatbelt and prepare for a cosmic odyssey where the stars are the limit!

4. Count with pipe cleaner numbers

Counting with pipe cleaner numbers is a fun and tactile way to learn numerals! Here’s a simple guide to help you get started:

1. Gather Materials: You’ll need pipe cleaners in various colors and a pair of scissors. You might also want a pencil and paper to sketch out the numbers before you shape them.
2. Create Number Templates: Decide which numbers you want to make. You can sketch them on paper to use as a guide. For example, draw the numbers 0 through 9.
3. Shape the Pipe Cleaners:
   • Number 0: Form a loop with a pipe cleaner and twist the ends to secure the circle.
   • Number 1: Shape a straight line with a pipe cleaner. Bend the top slightly to give it a more defined look.
   • Number 2: Create a curve for the top half and a diagonal line for the bottom. Twist the ends together to secure the shape.
   • Number 3: Shape two curves, one on top of the other, and twist the ends where they meet.
   • Number 4: Form a straight line for the vertical part and a diagonal line for the lower part, connecting them with a small twist.
   • Number 5: Make a curve for the top, a straight line for the middle, and a curve for the bottom. Secure the shapes with twists.
   • Number 6: Create a loop similar to 0 but with a smaller curve on top, resembling the bottom part of a spiral.
   • Number 7: Form a straight line with a diagonal line on top, connecting them with a twist.
   • Number 8: Create two loops, one on top of the other, and twist them together to form the shape of 8.
   • Number 9: Shape a loop similar to 6, but with an extra curve extending from the top.
4. Display and Use: Once you’ve shaped the numbers, you can place them in order and use them for counting practice or educational games. They also make great decorations or can be used for simple number recognition activities.

Have fun crafting and counting with your pipe cleaner numbers!

5. Re-create favorite yoga poses

A fun method to improve physical fitness is this one. Ask children to symbolise their favourite yoga poses with bent pipe cleaners, and then ask them to describe the feelings they get from the pose.

6. Float pipe cleaner jellyfish

Creating floaty pipe cleaner jellyfish is a fun and easy craft project. Here’s a step-by-step guide to making them:

Materials Needed:

• Pipe cleaners (various colors)
• Scissors
• Craft glue or a hot glue gun (optional, for extra security)
• Clear fishing line or string (for floating effect)
• A small balloon or bubble blower (optional, for adding a floating effect)

Instructions:

1. Create the Jellyfish Body:
   • Take a pipe cleaner and form a loop by bending it into a circle. Twist the ends together to secure the loop. This loop will form the main part of the jellyfish’s bell.
2. Add Tentacles:
   • Cut several pipe cleaners into long strips (about 6-8 inches each). These will be the jellyfish’s tentacles.
   • Attach these tentacles to the loop by twisting them around the base of the loop. Space them out evenly around the loop. You can use different colors to make your jellyfish more vibrant.
3. Shape the Tentacles:
   • Once attached, you can curl, bend, or twist the tentacles to give them a more fluid, flowing appearance. This will make them look more like the graceful tentacles of a real jellyfish.
4. Attach the Floating Mechanism:
   • If you want your jellyfish to float, tie a length of clear fishing line or string to the top of the loop where the body meets the tentacles. Make sure it’s securely attached.
   • Alternatively, you can inflate a small balloon and attach the jellyfish to the balloon using the fishing line or string. The balloon will help the jellyfish float gently in the air.
5. Optional – Add Some Glitter or Decor:
   • If you want to add a touch of sparkle, lightly glue some glitter to the body of the jellyfish. You can also decorate the tentacles with tiny beads or sequins.
6. Display Your Jellyfish:
   • Hang your floating jellyfish from the ceiling or a light fixture using the fishing line or string. If you used a balloon, you can let the balloon float freely to see your jellyfish gently sway.

Tips:

• Use different colors of pipe cleaners for a more colorful and eye-catching jellyfish.
• If you’re making a bunch of jellyfish, you can vary the sizes and colors for a more dynamic display.

Enjoy crafting your whimsical, floating pipe cleaner jellyfish!

7. Practice spelling words

After grabbing some letter beads, start working on this week’s spelling list’s sight words, CVC words, or other words. Because the hands-on component stimulates all senses, it promotes whole-brain learning.

8. Craft a DIY fidget stick

Kids can burn off some physical energy and maintain focus on the task at hand by using fidget toys. You can build enough of these simple and affordable DIY pipe cleaner fidget sticks for the entire class.

9. Turn a pipe cleaner into a needle

Turning a pipe cleaner into a needle-like tool is a creative and fun idea, especially for crafting projects. While a pipe cleaner won’t be as sharp or precise as a real needle, you can shape it to function similarly for tasks like threading beads or making small, precise holes in soft materials. Here’s how you can transform a pipe cleaner into a needle-like tool:

Materials Needed:

• Pipe cleaner
• Scissors
• Craft glue or hot glue gun (optional, for added stability)
• Needle-nose pliers (optional, for shaping)

Instructions:

1. Cut the Pipe Cleaner:
   • Choose a pipe cleaner in a color that suits your project. Cut it to the desired length for your “needle.” A length of about 4-6 inches usually works well.
2. Shape the Pipe Cleaner:
   • Straighten It: First, straighten the pipe cleaner as much as possible. You can use needle-nose pliers or just your fingers to do this. It doesn’t need to be perfectly straight, but removing most of the bends will help.
   • Point the End: To create a needle-like point, fold one end of the pipe cleaner to make a sharp tip. Twist the fold tightly to create a more pointed end. This fold will act as the sharp point of the needle.
   • Reinforce the Point: If you need a sturdier point, apply a small amount of craft glue or hot glue to the end. Let it dry completely before using. This will help keep the point from bending easily.
3. Shape the Needle:
   • Smooth the Tip: After the glue is dry (if used), you can smooth the tip a bit more by gently rubbing it with your fingers or a small file if available.
   • Create a Handle: If you’d like, you can create a handle for better grip by folding the opposite end of the pipe cleaner to form a small loop or handle shape.
4. Use Your Pipe Cleaner Needle:
   • You can now use your pipe cleaner needle for various tasks, such as threading beads, making small holes in soft materials (like foam or clay), or crafting projects where a sharp tool is needed.

Tips:

• Be Cautious: The pipe cleaner needle is not suitable for very delicate tasks or materials that require a sharp, precise needle. It’s best used for light, crafting purposes.
• Customization: Experiment with different colors and lengths of pipe cleaners to make multiple “needles” for different uses or to match your crafting projects.

This pipe cleaner needle can be a handy tool in your crafting kit, especially for simple, creative tasks. Enjoy your crafting!

10. Weave a pipe cleaner bowl

Weaving a pipe cleaner bowl is a creative and fun craft project that’s great for making small decorative items or practical little containers. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you weave a bowl using pipe cleaners:

Materials Needed:

• Pipe cleaners (in various colors if desired)
• Scissors
• A small circular object to use as a mold (like a cup or a small bowl)

Instructions:

1. Prepare Your Pipe Cleaners:
   • Choose the colors you want to use for your bowl. Cut several pipe cleaners into equal lengths, typically about 6-8 inches each. You can use more or fewer depending on the size and the thickness you want for your bowl.
2. Create the Base:
   • Form the Bottom Circle: Take one pipe cleaner and bend it into a circle. This circle will form the base of your bowl. Twist the ends together to secure the circle. You can adjust the size of this circle depending on how large you want your bowl to be.
   • Add More Circles: For a larger base, you can add more circles. Simply twist additional pipe cleaners into circles and attach them to the initial circle by twisting them together.
3. Start Weaving the Sides:
   • Position the Pipe Cleaners: Take a new pipe cleaner and place it vertically across the base circle. Twist it around the circle to secure it. Repeat this step with more pipe cleaners, spacing them evenly around the base circle. These vertical pipe cleaners will form the sides of the bowl.
   • Weave the Sides: Begin weaving additional pipe cleaners horizontally around the vertical ones. Start at the bottom and work your way up, weaving the pipe cleaners over and under the vertical ones. Continue this process, adding more horizontal pipe cleaners as needed. Twist the ends of the horizontal pipe cleaners to secure them.
4. Shape the Bowl:
   • Curve the Sides: As you weave, gently curve the vertical pipe cleaners inward to form the bowl shape. You can use a small bowl or cup as a mold to shape your bowl. Place the bowl inside your woven structure and mold the sides around it.
   • Adjust and Secure: Adjust the shape as needed, making sure the bowl’s sides are even and secure. Twist any loose ends to hold everything in place.
5. Finish the Bowl:
   • Secure the Top Edges: Once you’ve achieved the desired shape and size, secure the top edges of the bowl by twisting or bending the ends of the pipe cleaners.
   • Trim Excess: If necessary, trim any excess pipe cleaner to neaten up the edges and finalize the shape.

Tips:

• Experiment with Colors: Use different colors and patterns to create a vibrant and eye-catching bowl.
• Reinforce Shape: For a more rigid bowl, you can double up on pipe cleaners or use stiffer pipe cleaners.
• Customization: Adjust the size and shape of your bowl to fit different uses, like holding small trinkets or serving as a decorative piece.

Enjoy crafting your unique and colorful pipe cleaner bowl!