Like I always say, paper crafts never go out of fashion and most of the time they are super easy and versatile. Not only can we make crafts with papers, but we can also create toys.

Therefore, today we are making one such easy and creative toy that will amuse you, your siblings and also the elders in your family. Let me tell you a secret too — it will also help you in times of uneasiness when you desperately need some time off to relax. So let’s start.

Note: This toy can be made in two ways, you can either glue the ends with each other; you can paste a stick or straw at the ends.

Things you need:

1. Colourful pieces of papers, at least 6 (7-inch long and 6-inch wide).

2. White glue

3. Two sticks (you can also use drinking straws)

Directions:

1. Fold the paper twice, thrice or as many times till you reach one centimetre width, pictures 2 and 3.

2. Open it, and now two-fold length-wise, open one half of the paper, and then fold it backwards from both sides as shown in pictures 4 and 5.

3. Accordion fold the folded paper, picture 6.

4. Separate the folds from the right side first, but slowly and not hastily, as it can damage the paper, picture 7.

5. When one side of the folds is separated, you will notice it forms a ‘v’ shape, picture 8.

6. Repeat the same step by separating the folds from the middle, and then separate the folds from the left side, pictures 9 and 10.

7. Press and separate the folds from each other a bit more so they form a ‘W’ or ‘M’ shape, make at least six of these, see pictures 11 and 12.

8. Glue each side of all these ‘Ms’ (as I call them), and attach with each other, leave them for a while, pictures 13 and 14.

To make the toy: Option 1: Glue the ends with each other and see the magic of paper and colour by turning it outwards or inwards, I bet it will make you mesmerised with its colourful transformation, picture 15.

Option 2: Glue sticks or straw at the both ends. When dry, twist it, turn it to make shapes of various types. It’s simply amazing, see pictures 16, 17 and 18.

The writer can be contacted at ithecraftman@gmail.com

Published in Dawn, Young World, May 14th, 2022