July 2007- Craft of the Month- Firecracker Favors


Materials Needed:

Empty TP rolls (or paper towel rolls cut in half)
red paint or red tissue paper
scissors
paint brush
glue stick
pipe cleaners
metallic yarn/ pompom or star stickers
small candies or toys
clear plastic wrap (if using painted method)

Directions:

For painted firecrackers

1.  Paint the TP roll with red paint and let dry.
2.  Cut off a 12" piece of clear plastic wrap.  Lay toys and candies in center, spreading the length of the plastic wrap.
3.  Roll up clear plastic jellyroll fashion to secure the toys/candy.
4.  Using half a pipe cleaner secure one end of the candy "log" to hold toys and candy in place.
5.  Slip log into painted TP roll.
6.  Using a whole pipe cleaner, secure the open end of the plastic wrapped log and then bend the longer end around metallic yarn pieces, pompom, or decorate the end of the pipe cleaner with the stars to look like the "firecracker" is lit.

Firecrackers can be personalized or decorated if desired!

For tissue paper firecrackers

1.  Cut tissue paper 4-6" longer than the TP roll is.
2.  Using a glue stick, run glue all over TP roll.
3.  Roll glue TP roll up in the tissue paper,  Secure end of tissue with more of the glue stick. Let dry.
4.  Take 1/2 a pipe cleaner and tie overflow of tissue paper at one end of firecracker tube by twisting pipe cleaner to secure.  Tuck end up into tube.
5.  Fill tube with assorted small candies and toys.
6.  Secure top end of tissue paper with a whole pipe cleaner by twisting, leaving a long "fuse" of pipe cleaner.  bend the "fuse" around metallic yarn strands, pompom or attach star stickers.

This craft can be  used to reinforce wrist movement by painting the TP rolls.  Bilateral hand control comes into play with rolling the candy in the plastic wrap or by rolling the TP roll in the tissue paper.  You get more bilateral control and pinch grasp with securing the pipe cleaners and putting on the stars or yarn pieces.

You can turn these into Birthday candle favors, by painting the tubes any color you desire and putting a glittered "flame" on the top of the pipe cleaner wick.