Map How Blood Travels Through Your Veins

What can we use if we don't have large paper or blue yarn?

If you don't have large paper, tape together newspaper pages or use a clean bedsheet or butcher paper in place of the step to 'Lay the large paper flat,' and replace blue yarn with blue string, ribbon, or thin strips of crepe paper when you 'Cut several long pieces of blue yarn.'

The yarn keeps slipping and tape won't hold—how can we fix it?

Because the instructions tell you to 'Tape the edges of the paper to the floor' and to 'tape it to the paper every few inches,' use wider masking or duct tape, press each piece firmly, double-layer tape under yarn ends, and have an adult hold the yarn as you secure it so the pieces don't move.

How can I change the activity for younger children or older kids?

For younger children, have an adult 'Lie still on the paper' and 'trace your body outline,' pre-cut the yarn and pre-attach one end for them to press down and 'Colour the heart red,' while older kids can measure and cut exact yarn lengths, draw arrows for 'blood flow direction,' and add anatomical labels with sticky notes.

Any ideas to extend or personalize the vein map?

To enhance the life-size vein map, add red yarn to show arteries, use different colored sticky notes to label organs and limbs, write short circulation facts next to the heart and limbs, and finish by following 'Share a photo and description' on DIY.org.