Acorn Shaker Craft

This is a simple and fun idea for a shaker.

Materials:

• acorns
• 1 clear plastic cup and 1 colored plastic cup of the same size
• pine cone
• glue
• plastic tape like electrical tape

Directions:

1. Put some acorns in a clear plastic cup.
2. Tape a colored plastic cup on top , mouth to mouth.
3. Glue a pine cone on top of the colored cup.
4. Shake and watch the acorns go up and down.

Acorn Tops Toy Craft

This idea cam from my daughter's first grade elementary school textbook in Japan. All Japanese students make these.

Materials:

• acorns
• toothpicks
• hard rough surface
• sharp tool like to punch holes in leather
• modeling clay

Directions:

1. Holding the acorn tightly, scrape the top against a hard rough surface like concrete or pavement. File off the top layer of the acorn to reveal the nut.
2. Stick the acorn into a hick, hard piece of clay for a base.
3. Using a very sharp tool for making holes, make a small hole into the top of the acorn WARNING: This is a very dangerous tool! You may have only the teacher do this step.
4. Break a toothpick in half and insert it into the top of the acorn to make the top handle.
5. Spin your acorn top.

Japanese Chopsticks Catapult Toy Craft

 

Here's a fun toy you can make from disposable chopsticks and rubber bands to launch an acorn or small ball or marble into a cup.

Materials:

• 2 sets of disposable chopsticks(the kind that are fused together)
• 2 short lengths of a chopstick, cut and taped together
• rubber bands
• drink bottle cap
• tape
• ammunition(acorns, super balls, marbles)

Directions:

1. Using a box cutter, score and break off 2 short pieces from a chopstick(about 1 inch long). Tape together to make the fulcrum for the spring.
2. Place 2 sets of disposable chopsticks on top of each other and tie the small ends with rubber bands and cover with tape.
3. Place the fulcrum between them bout 2 inches from the end and tie several times with rubber bands.
4. Tape a drink bottle lid near the big end of the chopsticks.
5. Place an acorn in the lid, press down on the chopsticks and try to shoot the acorn into a cup.

Japanese Acorn Maze Craft

This is for elementary students. Using a box lid as a frame, create a cardboard maze and use an acorn to play. The one pictured here, my daughter Hana(first grade) made all by herself. Let their imaginations go.

Materials:

• shoe box lid or other box lid
• scrap cardboard
• scissors
• glue
• crayons to decorate
• scrap paper
• imagination (required)

Directions:

1. Talk about mazes and show some examples. Then, let students draw their maze design on paper.
2. Cut out strips of cardboard and glue on the lid to create the maze.
3. They can draw arrows to show the path.
4. They can use paper to make tunnels or small ramps to make it more challenging.
5. Use cardboard and paper to create flags to show "Start", and "Finish".
6. Place an acorn at the start. Tilt the lid and roll the acorn through the maze.

Acorn Rocket Craft

This is a super simple idea to turn an acorn into rocket for any kind of throwing or target game.

Materials:

• acorns (the longer and skinnier, the better)
• colorful plastic tape (not the sticky kind), or craft tissue paper.
• scissors
• Scotch tape

Directions:

 

1. Wrap a short length of colorful tape around the fat end of an acorn and tape down with scotch tape.
2. Cut slits down the length for the tail.
3. Use in any kind of target or throwing game.