This D.I.Y craft project was inspired by Miss M. at my library. The summer reading theme this year is, "Oceans of Possibilities," and she wanted an easy, cheap craft project to make some decorations. This is the result of our brainstorming, although I don't know what her initial inspiration might have been, so I don't claim this is entirely original.
Cut three circles off the end of the pool noodle with the utility knife. These should be about 1.5 cm or 3/4" thick.
Cut out one quarter from two of these circles to create a pair of C shapes.
This step was my main contribution to the crab, honestly. Miss M. was 90% of the way there already.
Fold the pipe cleaners in half, and then in half again.
Clip them apart at the folds to make four equal lengths.
Repeat three times, creating a total of twelve sections.
Insert ten pipe cleaners into the pool noodle body segment. Add a drop of glue to each if desired.
It may help to think of a clock face. Leave 12 and 6 empty, and insert a pipe cleaner for each other hour mark.
Clip one of the remaining pipe cleaner segments in half one more time. Insert them in the top of the body as eye stalks at one of the gaps.
The two pipe cleaners closest to the eye stalks should be bent upwards for claws, and the rest bent down as legs.
Add claw pieces by inserting the pipe cleaner into the foam. Again, add a drop of glue if desired.
Bend the eye stalk tips slightly, and use a drop of glue to affix googly eyes. In hindsight, bigger eyes might look even better, but these are what I had on hand.
And that's all there is to making a cute crustacean with pipe cleaners and a pool noodle! This is inexpensive and quick to make, so the supplies could be prepped ahead of time to entertain kids with a craft at a beach-themed party, or just add some whimsy to an ocean display anywhere.
Here's a look at the collaborative inspiration for this craft project post. If you prefer the more upright stance here, go for it! The "seaweed" Miss M. made from green pool noodles cut in a spiral turned out well, too, although they aren't shown off much in this snapshot.
Please share your own sea creature crafts in the comments. Miss M. might need a few extra ideas!
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