String a Wormy Apple Craft

String a wormy apple.

      This little wormy apple is made with just a few simple materials you can purchase from a local grocery store. Here is a supply list:

• small, durable paper bowls
• red tissue paper
• green and brown construction paper
• a black marker
• a shoe string (preferably white)
• white glue
• tape
• scissors
• one box of Kellogg's Froot Loops

Step-by-Step Directions:

1. With the pointed end of your scissors, punch a whole in the bottom of the paper bowl that is just big enough to push the end of your shoe string through to the backside of the bowl. Tape this end firmly to the back side so that your shoe string is permanently attached to the bowl. 
2. Draw and color in a few tiny apple seeds on the inside bottom of your bowl. This will represent the core of your apple. 
3. Now the bowl is ready for a small student to decorate with tissue and construction paper. At this point you could have your student(s) paint the bowl instead. I have chosen to use a layered torn paper method for the project in order to avoid the accidental consumption of paint. However there are many non-toxic and even edible paints on the market today that teachers could use alternatively for the craft project here without worry. The bowl is not intended for liquids to be poured into it; but the cereal worm might get a little paint on it before your student(s) ingest that part of their craft.
4. Layer red tissue with white school glue just around the edge of the bowl approximately one inch down the sides in order to suggest a bright red apple. 
5. Then cut and paste a simple stem and two leaves to the top half of your apple bowl to further suggest the apple's realistic appearance. 
6. Now empty the Kellogg's Froot Loops into a large bowl and place it in the center of your cleaned work table. Make sure the bowls have dried over night and that your students have very clean hands while they string their cereal worms.
7. Be prepared for much of the cereal to disappear into little hungry mouths! Knot the end of their worms and send the craft home. 

On the far left, you can see how the shoe string looks when it has been poked through the backside of the paper bowl.
Center is a picture of the paper apple bowl before a student has strung their cereal worm. On the far right, is a picture
of the shoe string as it looks unraveled and ready for stringing.

Stringing small objects like Froot Loops or Cherrios can help
develop your child's small motor skills.

Because this craft activity is edible, teachers may wish to string
 cereal worms during snack time at their preschool or kindergarten.

More Edible Crafts:

• Caramel Rice Krispies Treat Sand Castle
• Cross craft made with Froot Loops
• Craft Noah's Ark with Animal Crackers
• Edible playdough you will want to eat!