Colorful Napkin Rings

What You'll Need

• Tape
• Yarn or ribbon in different colors
• Small cardboard tubes, cut into 2-inch sections

What You'll Do

1. Tape the end of the yarn inside the cardboard tube.
2. Wrap the cardboard with yarn. To make the napkin ring thicker, rewrap the same section until you’re happy with its thickness.  
3. To add a new color, tie the current yarn and the new yarn together. Try to get the knot on the inside of the napkin ring. Then continue wrapping.
4. When you’re done wrapping, knot the end of the yarn inside the napkin ring. Tuck any extra yarn under other yarn.  
5. Repeat the steps above to make the other napkin rings.
6. Roll the napkins and fit them into the napkin rings. Then set them on each plate.

Extend the Fun

Younger kids: Help your child plan a pattern for the napkin rings. She might want to alternate between two colors or experiment with four colors. What’s great about patterns is that they’re a key part of math. When young kids can identify and make patterns, they’re building their math skills. 

Older kids: Ask your child to personalize a napkin ring for each guest. He can make labels from construction paper and write names or initials. Help him fix the labels to each napkin ring by using extra yarn. Try taping the label to the yarn, or make a hole in the label and string the yarn through. He can tie a knot or bow to finish.