STREAM Activity: Corn Cob Craft

Are you ready for this a-maize-ing craft?

Activity best for children ages 2 and up

Corn! Also known as maize in many countries, is a delicious staple to many cultures around the world. This vegetable is beloved by many and used in a fantastic variety of ways, even for things outside of eating like glue, paint, and laundry detergent! The USA currently produces about ⅓ of the world’s corn crops, so what better delicious vegetable to learn about as autumn approaches.

In this activity we get to explore the many uses of corn and its cultural significance to the Indigenous People and around the world as well as create a fun fall-themed decoration for the upcoming season!

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Materials:

Scissors

Glue (non toxic liquid school glue, or homemade sugar based glue works fine!)

Green paper

Yellow paper

Small cardboard tube(s)

Dry corn kernels

Pencil

Tray/cookie sheet

Guiding Questions:

What do we use corn for in our home?

How does corn grow?

Why do so many cultures love corn?

Directions

Step 1

Start by gathering all of your materials!

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Step 2

Take one of the tubes and measure its height short ways on the yellow piece of paper. Mark where the top is, then use the scissors to cut straight across long ways and create a strip of paper. It’s okay if it is not perfect!

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Step 3

Take one of the cardboard tubes. Use the paint brush to cover the entire outside with the liquid glue. Once done, wrap the strip around the tube, ensuring that it is secured fully around. Set to the side for now and let it dry a little as you continue.

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Step 4

Grab your green paper. Trace two leaves on it using the pencil. They are shaped like a big, elongated water droplet. When you’re done, cut both leaves out and place them to the side for now.

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Step 5

Grab your tray/cookie sheet and pour out your dry corn kernels onto it. Then grab the cardboard wrapped in yellow paper and cover the outside with glue once again. Once covered, you can take it and roll it over the kernels to have them stick to the side. Don’t be shy with the glue! There’s a better chance they’ll stick if there are more. Let it dry for a few minutes before continuing. This would be a great time for the extension activity or discussion!

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Step 6

Once semi dry, grab your leaves and glue again. Spread some glue on the bottom half of the leaf and tack it onto the backside of your corn cob. Let it dry and voila! You’ve got yourself a beautiful fall decoration!

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Grown Ups-Are you looking for more ways to extend your child’s learning? Check out these extension activities to build upon today’s STREAM activity!

Reading Connections

Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story by Kevin Noble Maillard

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Real World Connections

We use corn for all kinds of yummy things! This can be an opportunity to talk about the different things you can make from corn, like popcorn, cornbread, and even some of the less familiar things corn is used for!

An amazing connection can also be talking about how Indigenous People grew and used corn far before we came to the Americas, and how many ways they were creative in not only using the yummy parts we know, but also using the cobb and husks for different things like making dolls and baskets. This can be a great way to start a conversation about creativity and being resourceful with our things to be kind to our planet!