Mosquitoes, both annoying and sometimes harmful, can also be immensely interesting.
Combining crafts with lessons not only helps to keep the attention of young children focused on their lesson, but allows them to express their creativity and develop important motor skills. Creating pom-pom and pipe cleaner mosquitoes is a perfect addition to a first grade lesson plan focused on mosquitoes, insects in general, or pests. Allowing children to create their very own mosquitoes will both alleviate fear of mosquitoes and promote understanding of the small insects.
Preparation
Cover the crafting area with newspaper to prevent glue from getting on the desk or tabletop. Each mosquito will require two pipe cleaners, one large pom-pom, one small pom-pom, two googly eyes and six beads. Cut one of the pipe cleaners into three equal pieces using nail clippers. The beads should be large enough to be handled easily by first graders and should be able to fit over a folded pipe cleaner. Allow children to choose the color of pipe cleaners and beads they prefer. Pipe cleaners, pom-poms, beads and googly eyes are all available at most craft stores.
Body
Fold the uncut pipe cleaner in half. Twist the folded end of the pipe cleaner to form a small ball. String two of the beads onto the folded pipe cleaner and slide them down so that they rest against the ball. Fold one of the smaller pipe cleaner pieces in half and slide it over the main pipe cleaner just after the two beads. Twist the small pipe cleaner to keep it in place. String two more beads onto the folded pipe cleaner and add a second small pipe cleaner piece. String the last two beads onto the folded pipe cleaner and twist the pipe cleaner ends to keep the beads in place.
Wings
Make a loop using each of the two pipe cleaner ends. The loop should use about half of the remaining pipe cleaner of each end. These loops will be the wings of the mosquito and the remaining pipe cleaner ends will be the front legs of the mosquito. Twist the base of the wings to secure them. Shape the wings as desired. If you're feeling ambitious, glue small pieces of tissue paper onto the wings to add color.
Head
Glue the large pom-pom onto the mosquito body where the wings meet the front legs. Hot glue works the best for this, but if the children are doing the gluing themselves, thick craft glue will work too. Glue the two googly eyes onto the front of the large pom-pom. Glue the small pom-pom onto the front of the large pom-pom, just below the eyes. Fold the last small piece of pipe cleaner in half. Make a small bend in the folded end of the pipe cleaner piece, like a little foot, and glue the fold to the top of the large pom-pom, above the googly eyes.
Finishing Touches
Bend the six mosquito legs to create leg joints and feet. Bend the two antennae into loops or swirls. Adjust the wings as desired -- back along the body or spread out as if the mosquito were in flight. If you wish to add the mosquitoes to a mobile or hang them from the ceiling, tie a piece of thread around the mosquito's body, between the beads and the wings. Allow the glue to dry, then attach the mosquito to a mobile or ceiling hook, or simply display it on a desk or shelf.
Tags: pipe cleaner, folded pipe, folded pipe cleaner, large pom-pom, googly eyes