Homemade Gifts for Kids - Inchworm Toy

by Mary Ruthven
(Palm Coast, FL.)

I wanted something to put on top of a gift for a child. The present was already a toy so I had to come up with a little add on and I figured...all kids love lollipops!


Who did you make it for?

My grandson who turns 3 on Valentines Day


What materials did you use?

• Oversized lollipop with long stick


• Foam sheet (your choice of color)


• Measuring Tape (cloth or vinyl)


• Pipe cleaner (your choice of color)


• Assorted sized pom poms


• 2" pom pom (for head)


• Google Eyes


• Hole Punch

How did you make it?

Leave Lollipop wrapped. Cut strip of foam 1 1/2" wide and 2 times the length of lollipop stick. Cut measuring tape same length plus 1 1/2". Lay tape down center of foam (you will have the extra amount of tape hanging off one end). Holding both together, punch a hole every inch. (Tip: The wider the holes are spaced, the higher the body will be). You will be using the extra length of tape to secure body from coming off stick at end. The candy part of the lollipop will be the tail end of the worm.

Begin to weave the foam with tape on top, onto the stick beginning with the even end. Just go in and out of holes until you completed last hole. (If you've ever seen ribbon candy, this is the way the body should look). Adjust foam so entire stick is covered and humps are about same size.

Now take that extra piece of tape hanging off the front end and bring it under the body. Use a twist tie and secure it to the stick. This will keep the foam from slipping off. By doing this, it should have created a little "shelf" where you will glue the head on to. Take the 2" pom pom and glue on eyes and nose. (Tip:I made my own pom pom for head because I wanted a textured look and used bumpy yarn for this. You can find directions on the internet to make your own. Quite easy and worth the time! I also used hot glue so it would speed up the process and instantly secure things).

Once eyes and nose are dry, glue head to front of body. Slide a piece of pipe cleaner behind head, going under lollipop stick and twist tight to secure for antenna. (I added a spot of glue to keep it in place). Adjust to your liking. I curled each of mine around a stick for a curly effect and glued a pom pom to each tip.

I wrote a verse, attached it to a foam heart and twist tied it to the body using a pipe cleaner. Please feel free to use verse:

I am a little inchworm,
I'm slow to finish and start.
But I will make a big impact,
As I inch my way to you heart!

Anything else you'd like to share about your project?

This was a cute homemade gifts for kids project that I wanted to share with other readers. It can be used for any occasion or just simply for a little "I love you" gift for a child. Try adding one to some flowers for an adult who is in the hospital. It should make them smile and we all know, That's Good Medicine!

This project has also been featured by Mary on www.thriftyfun.com.

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Check out more of Mary's craft ideas on her website www.craftingtales.com.

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