This paper worm experiment paper craft is a cheerful hands-on project for kids, classrooms, and family craft time. It uses the tutorial steps below as the practical guide while adding helpful planning notes so the project feels easier to prepare, follow, and finish. Gather the supplies first, give yourself a little workspace, and enjoy making something creative from simple materials.
Materials:
- Paper towel
- Washable markers
- Glue stick
- Black Sharpie marker (or other permanent marker)
- Water
Equipment:
- Drinking straw (or pencil, skewer, etc)
Instructions:
Step 1: Find what you need
- Gather your supplies and materials.
Step 2: Draw the inside colours
- Start by setting down a piece of paper towel with the long side facing you. We recommend placing the paper towel on a placemat or extra piece of paper to protect your working surface from the markers.
- Use a coloured washable marker to draw vertical lines from the top of the paper towel down to the middle. Space the lines just over 1 inch apart.
- Now draw lines in between the previous ones with a complementary colour of washable marker.
Step 3: Roll the paper towel
- Flip the paper towel upside down, so that the marker lines are at the bottom and they face your working surface.
- Set a drinking straw or pencil at the bottom center of the paper towel.
- Begin rolling the paper towel around the straw. Roll it somewhat tightly, but leave enough slack that you’ll be able to remove the straw later on. Stop rolling when there’s about 1 inch of paper towel left.
- Apply glue stick to the unrolled part of the paper towel.
- Continue, rolling the paper towel into the glue and pressing it down to secure it.
Step 4: Draw the outside pattern and scrunch it up
- Grab a black Sharpie or another type of permanent marker. Use this to draw a pattern of lines or dots across the rolled up paper towel.
- Hold the center of the paper towel in place as you begin scrunching up one side, bringing it in towards the middle.
- Repeat on the other side until the “worm” is as small as possible.
- Remove the straw from the center of the paper towel roll, being careful to keep the worm as small and scrunched up as possible.
Step 5: Just add water!
- Set your worm on a plate or another dish. A rimmed baking sheet or pie plate will work well. Now pour a little bit of water on top of the worm. You’ll start to see it growing right away!
- Allow the worm to sit in the water for a few seconds. It will continue to grow and you’ll begin to see the marker colours showing through! If your worm still has dry spots, add a bit more water.
- Eventually your worm will be fully grown and you’ll clearly see the colours. Your paper worm experiment is complete!
Helpful Tips
- Read through the full tutorial before starting.
- Prepare the listed supplies ahead of time so each step is easier to follow.
- Check the finished craft against the instructions before displaying or using it.
FAQs
Is this tutorial beginner friendly?
Yes. This paper worm experiment paper craft is written with simple steps and extra tips for beginners.
Can kids make this craft independently?
Older kids may be able to work independently, while younger kids should have help with any steps that require close attention or small pieces.
How long does the craft take?
Most versions take about 30 minutes, depending on the materials and the pace of the crafter.
Can I use different colors?
Yes. Changing the colors is one of the easiest ways to personalize the finished craft.
Final Thoughts
Once the paper worm experiment paper craft is finished, take a moment to check the details, compare the result with the tutorial, and display the project somewhere kids can enjoy their work.
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