Space Goggles

Space Goggles [1]

A craft that combines recycling and imagination!

What You’ll Need

Scissors
Egg carton
Paintbrush
Paint
Glue
Pompoms
Chenille sticks

What to Do

“Can you envision goggles when you look at an egg carton?” When kids transform one thing (in this case, a simple egg carton) into something else (out-of-this-world goggles), it’s a mini-lesson in recycling and imaginative thinking. Most of what you need is right at home, with a quick trip to the craft store for pompoms and chenille sticks.

1. Cut out two connecting egg cups from an egg carton.

2. Cut out the bottom from each egg cup. (You may need a sharp knife or scissors.)

3. Paint the egg cups. Let dry.

4. Glue pompoms to the frames of your goggles. Let dry completely.

5. Use scissors to make two small holes in opposite sides of the egg cups.

6. Insert the chenille sticks into the holes so at least 1-inch comes through. Fold that piece over and twist it around the rest of the stick.

7. Put on your goggles. Bend the ends of the chenille sticks so they fit around your ears.

Extend the Fun

For younger kids: Scientists, athletes, and astronauts all wear goggles to pursue the activities they love. Make a pair of goggles that represent a sport or a hobby you enjoy, and color coordinate the pompoms: blue pompoms for swim goggles, black pompoms for safety goggles, silver pompoms for looking at the stars. More of a homebody? Make reading glasses with pompom frames, “sunglasses” edged with tropical-colored pompoms to look like butterfly wings, or an egg-carton jewelry organizer.

For older kids: Put egg-carton goggles on your stuffed animals and take a group picture. Make dog goggles (“doggles”), briefly set them on your dog’s face to take a picture, transfer the photo to your computer, and make printouts of your stylin’ pet. Make light-up goggles: Wrap goggle frames with rice lights (tiny decorative lights connected by thin wire, found in craft stores) and hide the battery pack behind your shirt collar or in your pocket. Take a walk in the dark, or wear your illuminated goggles to the movies.