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Pipe Cleaner Crafts

Projects with a twist from FamilyFun

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To those of you who have yet to experience the mysterious power of pipe cleaner crafts

pipe cleaners, I humbly suggest the following three-step exercise:

Watch this quick video for more pipe cleaner tips and tricks.

1. Hand pipe cleaners and this article to your kids.

2. Wonder why they are being so quiet.

3. Check on kids and be amazed at their brilliant creations. Come to think of it, there's a fourth step: Wrestle the last pipe cleaners from your kids and join in the fun!

Over the years, I've developed a deep respect for the pipe cleaner (although I still can't bring myself to call it by its craft-store name, the chenille stem). At the same time, my kids and I have also developed a host of designs and nifty assembly techniques. Here are three of our favorite projects, each of which creates very little mess, costs very little money and provides near-instant gratification--for kids and grown-ups alike.

Laura Torres, a frequent contributor to FAMILYFUN, is the co-author of PIPE CLEANERS GONE CRAZY.

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IN THIS ARTICLE:

	Introduction
	Pipe Cleaner 101