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Tuesday, July 7, 2009

How to Make a Lightsaber

This had to be my favorite activity at the party, make your own lightsaber. All the boys had fun making and customizing their own lightsabers. It was fun to see what each child made. Some went with traditional handles while others decorated theirs with lots of colors and stickers. My son came up with the idea of making a dual lightsaber (picture above). I thought this was very clever. I think he's inherited my craftyness, what do you think?


Supplies:
toilet paper rolls
twisty balloons - make sure they are new, old balloons are weak and pop easily
markers and stickers - for decoration
balloon pump


Have children decorate toilet paper rolls with markers and stickers. While the kids are doing this, I recommend blowing up the balloons. Leave about an inch of the balloon unfilled. This will prevent the balloons from popping while the kids are playing with them.

Stuff the balloon into the lightsaber handle. Depending on the size of the balloon you may want to add a little glue inside the handle. For these ones I didn't need glue at all. Done.

It's inevitable that a balloon or two will pop so I recommend making a few extra.

Jedi Games
*Have children duel with their lightsabers standing on one leg. The child that can last the longest on one leg wins.

*Make an obstacle course out of whatever you have at your house. We used soccer cones and training ladders (the kind that lay flat on the ground). You could use chairs in replace of cones, get creative. Have children run through the course with the lightsaber in one hand. You could time them for more of a challenge.

*Pop bubbles with lightsabers. I recommend using a bubble machine if possible. This would be a good game for toddlers.

19 comments:

Marie said...

I'm a long time lurker, but I just had to comment on your fantastic Star Wars party. Everything looked so fun and just perfect. Love it, love your blog.

Kristin said...

So fun - How cool! Great boys option

Vacskamati said...

Haha!! Brilliant idea! :D

The Queen of Clearance said...

OH MY GOODNESS! My husband is getting these at his next b-day party whether he wants it or not! so cute!

Ayie said...

that's so much fun for the kids! you and your son are both crafty, he'll run the zakka life in time! =)

Jessica said...

ooooooooooooh what a GREAT idea!! My hubby turns 27 in December... hehe I think he'd get a kick out of this!!

He is a Star Wars "geek". I say "geek" because I mean it 100% lovingly!!

babalisme said...

with a little nephew and his geek father, this idea is always neat when they start bragging me. Thank you!!

Alexander said...

haha... that is a cool one. Great fun!

Alexander
Alex's World! - http://www.kakinan.com/alex

Rachel@oneprettything.com said...

WOW-that is SO creative, I love this! The handles are fabulous. I'll be linking.

Michelle Frae Cummings said...

awesome! can't wait to add this to our party! thanks!

Amie Plumley said...

This is so fun! I'll have to bookmark it to use with my kindergarten class next year - a perfect addition to the letter "L"!

Unknown said...

my 6 year son just happened to be lurking behind me when I was reading the post - & immediatley wanted to make one - even tho' we own far too many light sabers than anyone house should! great idea!

Amanda said...

awesome idea! I'm new to reading your blog, but I find this fascinating. I'm going to make a double ended one and add a battery powered light in the middle for extra awesomeness. :)

Anonymous said...

The double-ended red lightsaber is Darth Maul's lightsaber from Episode I!

LuAnn @ BackPorchervations said...

Too cool...my kids are gonna LOVE IT!

Amy @ Living Locurto said...

This is a great idea! I stumbled this one:-) Thanks!

Bek said...

We did this today at my 5 year old's party- we did the bubble machine thing too, and they went wild!

THanks so much for the idea. It was so much fun.

Ameriplan Home Career Mom said...

Awesome Idea! =) My 3 year old son has been asking for a lightsaber toy for months.... This is a safe, fun way to give him what he wants. Great job!

Steph @ somewhatsimple said...

I love this idea! I am featuring it on somewhatsimple.com tomorrow (Monday). Thanks for the inspiration!
-Steph

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