The Stylish Straw Challenge!
Design and build a stylish reusable straw holder from cardboard, fabric, and safe craft supplies; decorate it, practice measuring, and carry your straw.
Step-by-step guide to design and build a reusable straw holder
Step 1
Gather all the Materials Needed and put them on a clear workspace so you can see everything.
Step 2
Measure your reusable straw with the ruler and draw a rectangle on the cardboard that is 3 cm longer than the straw and wide enough to wrap around the straw plus 1 cm.
Step 3
Cut out the cardboard rectangle carefully with scissors.
Step 4
Wrap the cardboard rectangle around the straw to check fit and fold the long edge over to form a snug tube shape.
Step 5
Secure the long seam of the tube with tape or a thin line of glue so the tube holds its shape.
Step 6
Cut a fabric strip big enough to wrap around the cardboard tube with about 1 cm overlap and the same length as the tube.
Step 7
Glue the fabric strip around the cardboard tube and smooth it flat so there are no bumps.
Step 8
Cut a short piece of ribbon and glue one end to the top edge of the tube to make a tie or loop for keeping the straw inside.
Step 9
Decorate your straw holder with colouring materials and decorative items to make it stylish and unique.
Step 10
Slide your reusable straw into the finished holder and practice carrying it in a bag or pocket to make sure it stays secure.
Step 11
Share a photo of your finished stylish straw holder and tell how you made it on DIY.org.
Final steps
You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!
Help!?
What can we use if we don't have the cardboard, fabric, or ribbon listed in the materials?
If you don't have cardboard or fabric, use a cereal box cut to the size from the 'Measure your reusable straw with the ruler' step and wrap with an old T‑shirt strip instead of fabric, and use a shoelace or piece of twine in place of the ribbon.
My tube is loose or the fabric is bumpy—what should I do?
If the tube is uneven or the straw slips after you 'Wrap the cardboard rectangle' and 'Secure the long seam', recut the rectangle to the correct width, re-fold so it hugs the straw, add extra tape or a thin line of glue along the seam, and smooth the fabric from the center outward while clamping it until dry to avoid bumps.
How can I adapt this activity for different age groups?
For younger children, cut the cardboard rectangle and fabric ahead of time and let them glue fabric and decorate the tube, while older kids can measure and cut themselves, sew the fabric around the tube, and add beads to the ribbon loop from the 'Cut a short piece of ribbon' step.
How can we extend or personalize our finished straw holder?
To personalize and enhance, glue a small elastic loop or button near the tube top to hold a cleaning brush and attach a carabiner to the ribbon loop so the finished stylish straw holder clips onto a bag when you 'practice carrying it in a bag or pocket'.
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Facts about upcycling and crafting for kids
♻️ Upcycling turns old cardboard and fabric into new, useful items — it's creative, budget-friendly, and reduces waste.
✂️ Kid-safe craft supplies (child scissors, fabric glue, non-toxic paint) let children decorate safely without hot tools.
📦 Corrugated cardboard is one of the most recycled materials; in many places over 80% is collected and reused.
🧵 Learning basic stitches like the running stitch or whipstitch is a quick way for kids to make fabric holders that stay strong.
🥤 Switching to a reusable straw can prevent hundreds of single-use straws every year — one small swap helps protect oceans and wildlife.
How do you make a stylish reusable straw holder?
What materials do I need to build a stylish straw holder?
What ages is the Stylish Straw Challenge suitable for?
What are the safety tips and benefits of doing the Stylish Straw Challenge?
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