SUBSCRIBE
Wonder(age 3-5)
Odyssey(age 6-8)
Explore(age 9-12)
SHOP
ABOUT US

DIYs » Stem Activities » Engaging Engineering Building » Age 6 - 8 » Straw Cube

Straw Cube

Stem Activities

Ages: 6-8

Less than 30 minutes

Grownup needed

Create a shape-shifting cube using just straws and rubber bands that can transform between flat and three-dimensional forms at will.

Materials Needed

  • 6 straws
  • Rubber bands
  • Marker pen
  • Scissors
  • Ruler
Several items are arranged on a light wood-grain surface, likely for a craft or science project. These include a small bundle of red and orange drinking straws, a yellow rubber band, a white marker pen, a pair of blue-handled scissors, and a clear plastic ruler. The arrangement suggests preparation for a hands-on activity.

Step-by-step tutorial

Step 1

Use scissors to cut off the bendable part of all 6 straws.

Two hands manipulate sections of orange plastic drinking straws against a light wood-grain background. One hand holds a full, uncut piece of straw, while the other holds a shorter piece with a diagonal cut at one end, revealing the corrugated inner structure. A small pile of uncut straws is visible in the background. The image suggests a craft or DIY project involving the straws.
Step 2

Cut each of the 6 straws in half, trying to keep all pieces the same length.

A person is using a pair of blue-handled scissors to cut a bundle of red and orange drinking straws. One hand holds the straws together while the other operates the scissors. The backdrop is a light wood-grain surface. The image conveys a craft or DIY activity involving cutting the straws.
Step 3

Cut the rubber bands to create elastic strings.

A hand holds a cut rubber band stretched taut, with numerous thin strands splayed out like spaghetti. A pair of blue-handled scissors is positioned as if in mid-cut, having just created the many strands from the original rubber band. The background is a light wood-grain surface. The image suggests a DIY or craft project, or possibly an experiment involving the properties of rubber bands.
Step 4

Connect 3 cut rubber bands to make a long elastic string, then thread 6 straw pieces onto it.

Two hands work on threading a thin, light-yellow rubber band through short segments of orange drinking straws. A partially constructed hexagonal shape made of connected straw segments is visible on the light wood-grain background. The hands are in the process of adding another straw piece to the structure using the rubber band. The image suggests a craft or construction activity.
Step 5

Tie the rubber band between the first and sixth straw pieces, and trim any excess.

Two hands hold a partially completed hexagonal structure made from short orange drinking straw segments connected by a thin, light-yellow rubber band. The hands are pulling the rubber band taut, showing the next stage of connecting more straw pieces. The light wood-grain background provides contrast to the orange and yellow materials. The image suggests a craft or construction activity in progress.
Step 6

Next, thread 2 straws onto a rubber band to make two sets. Then thread 1 straw onto a rubber band to make another two sets.

Several short segments of red drinking straws are laid out on a light wood-grain surface, connected by lengths of thin, amber-colored rubber bands. The straws and rubber bands form a loose, abstract pattern, with some sections resembling connected joints or limbs. The image suggests components for a craft project or a deconstructed version of a previously assembled object.
Step 7

Tie the elastic strings with two straws to the four points shown in the image.

Two hands hold a geometric shape constructed from short segments of orange and red drinking straws. The shape resembles an irregular hexagon or a flattened cube, with the straws forming the edges. The points where the straws are connected are clearly visible. The structure rests on a light wood-grain background. The image suggests a craft project or a geometric model made from simple materials. The circled areas highlight the straw connections, emphasizing the construction technique.
Step 8

Take one of the single-straw elastic strings and tie its ends to the positions marked in the image.

Two hands hold a three-dimensional structure made of short orange and red drinking straw segments. The structure resembles a simplified cube or rectangular prism, viewed at an angle. The connections between the straws are clearly visible, and are highlighted by black circles. The object sits on a light wood-grain background. The image suggests a craft project, a geometric model, or a simple construction made for educational or recreational purposes.
Step 9

Tie the ends of the other single-straw elastic string to the remaining two intersection points.

Two hands manipulate a three-dimensional structure constructed from short segments of orange and red drinking straws. The structure resembles a cube or rectangular prism, and the hands are gently shaping or adjusting it. The object rests on a light wood-grain background. The image conveys a sense of playful construction or model-making using simple materials.
Step 10

Finally, stand your cube upright, and your straw cube is complete.

Two hands hold a three-dimensional cube constructed from short segments of orange and red drinking straws. The cube is held at a slight angle, displaying its form. The light wood-grain background provides contrast to the colorful straws. The image suggests a simple construction project or a geometric model made for educational or recreational purposes.
Step 11

Try twisting the straw cube to create different shapes!

Two hands hold a three-dimensional cube constructed from short pieces of red and orange drinking straws. The cube is positioned slightly angled on a light wood-grain surface. The image suggests a simple craft project, a geometric model, or a child's construction activity. A partially visible wrapped gift is present in the background, possibly indicating a festive or celebratory context.

Who Are We?

We’re a passionate team of scientists, engineers, and educators dedicated to delivering hands-on fun. Our mission is to inspire creativity and confidence in the next generation of young innovators.

Featured Products

Explore Space

Journey through the solar system by making your own DIY rocket launcher.

Bat Disc Launcher

Discover the aerodynamics of frisbees and have fun with your own electric disk launcher.

Mini-market

Have fun learning maths while playing stall owner tendering change for selling cute felt veggies!

Christmas Train Set

Usher in the festive season by creating your very own Christmas themed trainset which will make the perfect adornment around your tree this winter!

Capillary Action

Get creative making multi coloured flowers while checking out how plants sip water through capillary action in real life.

Pinball Machine

Create a retro pinball machine complete with light and sound effects and learn all about the electro mechanical devices that make arcade machines so much fun.

Top categories

Stem Activities
Art & Crafts
Sensory Play
Cooking
Outdoor Fun
Holiday & Events
@Tinkerer 2024