Pipe Cleaner Spider Rings

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It’s almost Halloween! You have to check out these fun Pipe Cleaner Spider Rings that we made!

I love learning about how things are made!  In this project, I incorporated some crafting (art – the ‘A’ in STEAM) into our project.  For this project, I focused on teaching my children about material selection and manufacturing of pipe cleaners.

Supplies:

Instructions:

Here are the step by step instructions for making these super easy and cute spider rings!

Step 1: Grab three pipe cleaners. (For contrast in the photos, we used two different colors.
Step 2: Fold two of the same colored pipe cleaners in half.
Step 3: Cut the pipe cleaners in the middle.
Step 4: Confirm that you have 4 pipe cleaners of the same color.
Step 5: Bunch the pipe cleaners together and find the center.
Step 6: Wrap the third pipe cleaner around the other four in the center.
Step 7: Measure your finger.
Step 8: Lift one of the wrapped pieces of pipe cleaners to make a hole and push the end of the pipe cleaner through the hole and wrap it.
Step 9: Use your thumb or finger to bend the legs.
Step 10: Spread out the legs to look like a spider.
Step 11: Wear your pipe cleaner spider ring on your finger!

STEM Lessons –

Material Selection:

Pipe cleaners are super flexible and easy to manipulate. The metal can not be too hard or too soft to manipulate.  Too hard and it will not be flexible enough and too soft, it would break apart easily.

Pipe cleaners are made with two thin flexible, metal wires that are wrapped around a material. Pipe cleaners are normally used to help remove moisture or residue in engineering or medical applications. The type of material used is dependent on the application. Crafting pipe cleaners, like the ones we used, are typically made of yarn (polyester or nylon). 

The textile industry designs, produces and distributes yarns and cloths into end use products like carpet, clothes, etc. For more information about the difference between nylon and cotton, check out this website on How Stuff Works to learn more.

Manufacturing of a Pipe Cleaner:

A pipe cleaner is two thin wires wrapped around a fabric. Machines currently make these in manufacturing and the process is pretty quick and impressive.  Check out this YouTube video!  My daughters loved watching it!

More Halloween STEAM Activities:

Are you looking for more Halloween STEAM activities? Check them our here!

Have a wonderful, safe and fun Halloween!

-Kristen

One response to “Pipe Cleaner Spider Rings”

  1. Aubrie Avatar

    Going to have to try this fun little project with my dude. He loves a good craft, esp a creepy crawly one!

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