Making a Multicolored Monkey Chain

Family Day is a relatively new celebration in some Canadian provinces; the basic idea seems straightforward--to spend time with your family.  And so why not take some time to craft together?

A recent care package from Grandma included some colorful pom poms and pipe cleaners.  My eldest daughter was excited to make monkeys out of them.  She had spotted the idea in a crafting book.  And craft we did, which led to an extra sparkle of happiness in her voice and expression.  Though I am often one to let my kids loose on projects, I haven't taken much time lately to sit down and do a hands-on project together.  It was definitely worth doing this together to see her beam.


Materials Used:

• Chenille stems (a.k.a. pipe cleaners)
  
• Pom poms in two sizes
• Scissors
• Tiny plastic gems (in lieu of googley eyes)
  
• Permanent marker
• School glue
• Hot glue gun
• Hot glue sticks
• Felt
• Fabric paint

Instructions:

1.  Cut out monkey faces from felt (we used tan colored felt).  Glue on eyes, using markers to form pupils.  Decorate felt faces with black fabric paint to create nostrils, and mouths.   Let dry.

2.  Cut pipe cleaners into pieces.  For each monkey you will need 3 pieces: 2 longer pieces for arms and legs, and one shorter piece for a tail. Twist them together to form the arms, legs and tail.

3.  Using school glue and/or hot glue, sandwich the pipe cleaners between two larger pom poms of the same color.  Affix a smaller pom pom on top to be the head.  Glue on the face.

4.  Bend the arms, legs, and tail into the desired shape.  You may like to try linking the arms and tails to form a chain of dangling monkeys.