Who knew a $1 package of straws could be so much fun? This summer, keep kids occupied when you present them with these 5 fun activities using drinking straws. These games are easy to play, and can provide quite the entertainment when heat or rain keep you indoors. Take a look at how to get started.
5 Fun Activities Using Drinking Straws
1. Straw Tug of War
For this game, each player sits at a table as though they are about to play tug of war. Place a straw in the center of the tables so it is running horizontally. Each player takes their own straw and on the count of go, tries to blow the table straw towards the other player. The person who is able to blow the straw across the table and into the other player wins.
2. Straw whistles
Take a pair of scissors and cut the end of your straw into a point, or a V. Try blowing into the straw. A whistle sound should come out. Try cutting straws at different lengths and then complete them with a V tip. The various lengths should create different pitched sounds. This works especially well with paper straws.
3. Straw water race.
For this game, each team is given two glasses. One glass is full of water while the other is empty. Teams must place the straw in the cup with water and pinch the end so the straw retains some liquid. They then must transfer the liquid to the empty cup. The first team to get all of their water from one cup to the other wins.
4. Straw words.
Cut straws into smaller segments to write out words and phrases. You can even play hangman or fill in the missing letter games using the straws to create the letters. Straws can also be used to practice tracing letters in sandboxes.
5. Lifesaver Races.
Create relay teams just as you would do for a relay race. Each team then gets a straw. Place a Lifesaver on the end of each straw. When the whistle sounds, try to transfer the Lifesaver to the next person on your team. The Lifesaver then makes its way to each team member. The first team to transfer the Lifesaver successfully wins.
Who knew that straws could be so much fun! Give these 5 fun activities using straws a try and never find yourself bored again.
More Activities for Kids
You can find more ideas for frugal summer fun for kids here as we share a new frugal summer activity for kids each day for 100 days!
We always keep a package of bendy straws on hand – you just never know!
We did some fun races using larger diameter straws either to blow pom-poms across the floor, or pick them up by sucking and transfer them to the target area. I also found instructions for a great building kit made from straws and pipe cleaners in the Family Fun Magazine – you can see our attempts here: http://tarkheenacrafts.blogspot.com/2014/03/make-building-toy-with-straws-and-pipe.html
Our boys always play table football/soccer with straws and a piece of a serviette rolled up in a ball when we are waiting for our food in a restaurant.