Geothermal Construction

Ants are wonderful creatures that can teach a myriad of lessons for children of all ages. Researching though books and the internet can provide a good basis for an easy summertime activity-not to mention most people can simply go into their yard and learn more from just spending 15 minutes watching an ant hill to learn all sorts of interesting facts regarding these remarkable insects.
An easy follow up activity is to make a styrofoam ant-and here's how to do it.

What you will need:

2 - 2 1/2" Styrofoam eggs, 1 1/2"" Styrofoam ball, 4 pipe cleaners, wiggly eyes, black or red acrylic paint, and toothpicks (the large type)

What to do:

1. Poke two toothpicks halfway into the big end of both egg shapes. Press the ball onto one egg shape and then press the other egg shape onto the other end of the ball shape.
2. Paint the ant with black or red acrylic paint.
3. When the paint is dry cut the pipe cleaners in half, save two halves for the antennae. Fold the other halves in half and twist the ends around each other. Insert the folded pipe cleaners (pointy ends into the Styrofoam) into the middle of the body for legs. Fold them to look like ant legs. Insert the reserved half pipe cleaners into the head and glue on eyes.

And that's it! Have fun with this activity, and use it as a platform to open a whole new world for your child!