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How To Make A Cap-erpillar

I have done this craft with kids as little as 3 years old and as old as 12 - all seem to enjoy it. I get my plastic caps at work where I have set up a station to collect "unrecyclable" items. Plastic caps are a common source of contamination in some recycling programs which only accept limited types of plastic, such as the programs in my county. It is the favorite craft of my daughter, Nora.

Preparing before the event:

• Gather cord - the best is shopping bag handles.
• Cut the cords into foot long pieces. Tie a big knot at one end. Use masking tape on the other end to make it as pointy as possible.
• Clean the plastic caps in soapy water and dry them on towels.
• Using a 5/8 inch drill bit, drill the caps. Wear protective eye wear and gloves. Drill into a piece of wood to protect yourself and furniture. This takes practice!
• Budget about 12-15 caps per child.

Instructions for participants at the event:

• Pick a string.
• Thread on caps. If your first cap is big, it might stand up.
• Thread on 10-20 caps, leaving enough string to tie a knot.
• The last cap should be a cap with eyes and a pom pom.
• Get an adult to tie a knot tightly to the top cap.