Create a new diy mascot

What can we use if pipe cleaners, felt, or cotton balls are unavailable?

Use twist ties or floral wire instead of pipe cleaners for arms or a tail, cut old t-shirts or paper from cereal boxes into facial features in place of felt, and stuff hollow parts with crumpled newspaper or an old sock instead of cotton balls.

My mascot body keeps falling apart when I glue recycled pieces—what should I try?

Reinforce the joints from the 'Build the mascot body by gluing or taping recycled pieces together' step with extra tape on both sides, add cardboard tabs to slot and glue pieces together, and use hot glue (with adult help) for a stronger bond while letting it dry fully before adding weight or decorations.

How can I adapt this activity for a 3-year-old versus a 12-year-old?

For a 3-year-old, simplify by pre-cutting fabric clothing and using stickers and tape to attach parts from the 'Cut fabric into clothing pieces' and 'Add decorations' steps with close supervision, while a 12-year-old can sew clothing, create jointed arms from straws and brads in the 'Create arms legs or a tail' step, and write a longer story card.

How can we make the mascot more special or interactive beyond decorations?

Turn decorations into features by making movable limbs with straws and brads from the 'Create arms legs or a tail' step, add a small voice recorder or LED light hidden inside stuffed hollows from the 'Stuff hollow parts' step, and expand the short story card into a mini-book to share on DIY.org.