Try It Tuesday - Sea Urchin Craft

This is such a super simple craft that it is perfect for toddlers and preschoolers and gives ample opportunity to teach them about a sea creature they may never have heard of because it doesn't get too much attention

 Gather your supplies. You really need only Model Magic (or playdough or clay) and colored toothpicks. If you don't have colored toothpicks, but have the natural wood kind, I am going to tell you how to make some, but then you will also need a plastic baggie, paint & wax paper.

 To make the colored toothpicks for this project, just put your desired amount of toothpicks in a plastic baggie and squirt in some paint. I think I used about 30 toothpicks and maybe 2 teaspoons of paint. Squish the paint around over the top of the toothpicks until they are all covered.

 Take out toothpicks and allow to dry on top of a piece of wax paper. The wax paper prevents it from sticking. It will dry fairly quickly.

 For a 1" ball out of your Model Magic (or playdough or clay).

.Allow the child (under supervision, toothpicks can be sharp) to pierce the toothpicks in to the ball. You may need to provide a little guidance so they spin the ball and get some placed on all sides, but they can do this project pretty independently.

I just love this picture! You can tell that he is trying so hard to concentrate on pushing in the toothpicks.