Last week (from when I wrote this), my mom sent me an Instagram story. (She is very tech savvy). It was a challenge to create something using Peeps Marshmallows. This DIY Easter craft project went through a few different stages and ideas, but finally, we landed on a PEEPs Claw Machine!
Remember when you leave Walmart and you see those money eaters! You put a dollar in, and another, and another in hopes of winning a stuffed animal you could’ve just purchased. Yep, that’s what I’m talking about! It was a super fun DIY project with an Easter theme, so I thought I’d pop up a blog post about it – just in case you want to get crafty this Easter!
What you’ll need: Cardboard (I used a 3-sided project board, but more on that later), tape, glue, scissors, paper, peeps, (2) freezer size baggies, foil, something to be the claw, various decorative items that you may want.
Let’s start at the beginning….
The process of making a DIY Easter craft – Peeps Claw Machine – was not without issues. There was a lot of MacGuyver-ing that went on as I worked through this process with my friend, Bree. Luckily for me, she is an excellent problem solver! BUT, the amazing thing, is that I can tell you what we learned.
First of all, most of our supplies came from my closet (paper, glue, scissors). Any other supplies we needed, we purchased at the Dollar Tree. That is where we picked up our cardboard, some paper, peeps, and bunny ears for our topper and “joystick”. All in all, not expensive or difficult to find things to use. You could almost entirely do this from items in your home.
The Base
For the base, we used a three-fold display board. You know, the ones you use for school projects. We decided on an overall height of 20″ (arbitrarily). So, the bottom half of this structure had to be measured at 10″ high. We did our cutting, gluing of paper and taping into a box shape.
Tip: Instead of making a box from scratch, get a square box and flip it upside down. It will take you five minutes instead of an hour, like us. Lol.
The Front Pieces
There are two main features on the front of our DIY Easter craft, bottom of the claw machine: the spot where toys “come out” and the area that has “buttons” and the “joystick”.
Toy Release
For the spot that the toy drops through to get to the player, Bree used leftover cardboard and foil. The shapes you’ll need are three rectangles (almost like long pieces of gum) and a half circle for the bottom. Then you’ll need on more large rectangle for the back. Cover your cardboard with foil, secure with tape and attach to your base with glue.
Console
The console that houses buttons and a joystick should be about the same length as the opening area that you just made. But, don’t worry about being perfect. We had to remind ourselves, and each other, that perfection is not the goal.
I used cardboard to create this area. Just a rectangle shape, covered in gold paper. For the buttons, I cut out the circle symbol from two of the peeps packages. The joystick was made from the top of a bunny headband, then covered in a straw and crazy glued to the papered base.
Tip: Cutting wired bunny headbands requires better tools than we had. Wire cutters would’ve made that significantly easier. We used sharp objects and fire, which I don’t suggest. Get a wire cutter! (Adults only please!)
To attach the joystick console, I pushed toothpicks through the base so the console had something to rest on, then I secured with tape.
The Top Half of the Claw Machine
To make the top, see-through portion of this claw machine, you’re going to start with more cardboard. You need three sides to have a frame look, or window cutout. (Basically, take your square and cut out a square in the middle – see picture below). The last side, you’re going to just have one strip of cardboard across the top. This way your claw machine will be mostly transparent through the front.
Next step in our DIY Easter craft is to apply your baggies. Take each baggie and cut it so that the sides are separated. That way you have one square for each side. Apply with tape.
Once your baggies are applied, start to assemble your top half. You’re going to make a box shape again. You want to assemble it in the way that your taped sides are facing in. Use tape to connect the four sides together. Finally, apply paper to the outside and inside. We used contrasting colors to brighten it up.
Tip: You can get creative and use something other than paper. We used an Easter napkin to “paper” the inside of the top portion.
To connect the top of the claw machine to the bottom, we used packing tape on the inside of the structure. You’ll be filling it with Peeps, so don’t worry too much about the tape.
Tip: If your structure is still having issues being sturdy or lining up, use a toothpick and push it through the top into the bottom.
The Tippy Top
The top of this claw machine will also be where you assemble THE CLAW. (Anyone else picturing green aliens?) More cardboard for the top in a square shape. Make sure you measure. The last thing you need is for your top to not fit. Similar to everything else, cover with paper. Now, you’ll have to decide how to construct the claw.
Tip: Use a head scratcher from Walmart for your claw. They cost $1 and are easy to find, generally.
If you have something else for the claw, great! Get creative! If you do end up using a head massager, you’ll need to cut a hole in the top and pull the handle through. This is where some of that problem solving comes in, because now you’ll have to cover the handle. We used ears from a bunny ear headband and some super glue. But again, get creative with your solution!
Before you put the top on, fill the inside of the claw machine! We added Peeps marshmallows, glitter eggs from The Dollar Tree and some Peeps plush from my closet. (I know, don’t judge me).
Then place your top on! We added some blue paper around the edge of the top to give it a more finished look. Then you can put your DIY Easter craft in your house, where ever you like and decorate around it!
Wrap Up
So, what do you think? Any other ideas for projects with Peeps? Share in the comments! When you make your own Peeps Claw Machine, tag @EventOTB on Instagram or Facebook! I’d love to see it! Check out EventOTB’s Pinterest board for other Easter Ideas.
In the meantime, get your free download of Peeps gift tags by entering your email below. You’ll also get periodic updates from the blog. Happy DIY-ing!
Other Posts You May Like:
How to Create a Peeps Themed Freakshake
I Want to Make You Happy: Happiness Activity
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