How to make Brainy Bugs Antennae Headbands
By Alice Tucker
Craft Designer
Please check out Alice's website for other fun, creative ideas for things you can make and do!
 

Rufus (Alice’s plush lion) models the brainy bug antennae.

Step 1. Headbands.
            Use a rigid headband which fits your head securely.
 
Step 2.  Antenna
 
Step 3. Choose the antenna type.

 A. Recyled/reusable vegetable twistie ties.

• To make “accordion” keep each piece at right angles.

Twist onto headband.

Move upper to lower.

Then right to left

The lower to upper. Then left to right.

This is your end result.

Tip: twist on another tie to make accordion longer.

             
B. & C.    Ringlet pipe-cleaner.

Twist pipe cleaner securely on to head band.

Twist piper cleaner around a pencil.  A double pipe cleaner is stronger.

  Caution: pipe cleaners and vegetable twistie ties have wire in them and are sharp. Young children need adult supervision.
 
III. The Bulb
 Choose from the following:
 

Blow up small balloons and tie in a knot. Tie onto antenna with string.
 

Squeeze a piece of foil into a ball formation and tape or ties with string on to the top of each antenna.
 

Pom-pom:
Wrap several yards of yarn around your hand. Tie in the middle. Cut yarn at each end.
Fluff. Tie onto ends of each antenna.

 
IV. Optional: Stick on Googley Eyes to balloons.
 
V. Test for durability-walk and run around the house wearing your Brainy Bug antennae
 
From Wikipedia:
Antennae (singular: antenna)
Antennae are jointed, at least at the base, and generally extend forward from the head. They are sensory organs <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sensory_system> , although the exact nature of what they sense and how they sense it is not the same in all groups, nor always clear. Functions may variously include sensing touch <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tactition> , air motion, heat, vibration (sound), and especially olfaction <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olfaction> (smell) or gustation <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gustation> (taste)