When we brought the materials for these egg-carton critters into a local fifth-grade classroom, we were astonished with the results. The kids made a slew of the six-legged bugs with many clever adaptations. It doesn't cost much to craft the creatures, and we swear your kids won't stop after making one.

MATERIALS
1 paper egg carton
Scissors
Green paint
Paintbrush
Glue stick or craft glue
12 pairs wiggly eyes
Hole punch
12 pipe cleaners, assorted colors and thicknesses

Cut the 12 bumps out of the egg-carton bottom and trim them so they look like small cups. Paint the outside green, or another bug color, and let them dry. Choose the best side for the face and glue on the eyes. Punch a hole for the mouth, positioning the hole at the edge. Add three leg holes on each side with the hole punch. Cut all the pipe cleaners into 4-inch sections for the legs and antennae. Poke two holes above the eyes for the antennae (you will need to use a pushpin or pencil, or snip with scissors).

For the legs, insert one pipe-cleaner piece through one side hole and out the other side. Bend it up inside the shell and into shape for the legs and feet. To make the antennae, push the pipe cleaner through one hole and out the other, bending it into shape. Now the critters are ready to crawl.