Make a Straw Skeleton

What You Need:

• Black construction paper
• Plastic drinking straws
• Scissors
• Clear drying, non-toxic glue
• White chalk

What You Do:

1. Cut the straws into pieces of several sizes to represent the skeleton's bones. Make segments that range from an inch to a few inches long.
2. Ask your child to piece together a skeleton from the straws. Compare this to putting together a puzzle. If you wish, have her refer to a diagram of the body to make her model more accurate.
3. Your child can now gently lift each straw piece and place a line of glue underneath to hold.
4. Add a head "skull" by drawing one in with white chalk.
5. Set aside to dry.

This activity can be just as fun with non-human skeletons. Does your little one love dogs? Investigate the biology of canines by creating a doggie skeleton.