Make some eco-friendly crackers

You’ll need

String
Glue or double-sided tape
Scissors
Toilet roll tubes (minimum of 2 needed per person)
Fabric cut to 15cmx20cm rectangles (minimum of 2 needed per person)

Before you begin

Use the safety checklist to help you plan and risk assess your activity. Additional help to carry out your risk assessment, including examples can be found here. Don’t forget to make sure all young people and adults involved in the activity know how to take part safely.
Make sure you’ll have enough adult helpers. You may need some parents and carers to help if you’re short on helpers.

Preparing this activity

Consider using the activity ‘Dye another day’, so everyone can dye their fabric using natural materials.
Try to use recycled or offcuts of fabric to reduce waste – you could use old pillowcases and cut them up, too!
You may want to prepare an example before running this activity.
Fabric is a great option if you want to make crackers you can use every year. But, alternatively, you could use wrapping paper or tissue paper.

Get cracking

Take one toilet roll tube and cut down one side of it lengthways. It should mean that this tube will be able to be slipped over the top off and wrap around an uncut tube.
Everyone should have one that’s cut along one side and one that’s still whole.
Everyone should then glue or tape their fabric to their two toilet rolls.
Ensure that any fabric (or tissue paper or wrapping paper) is secured to the toilet roll itself and as evenly placed as possible.
There should be some excess fabric hanging over one end on each toilet roll.
Using string, tie the ends of the fabric off to secure one end of the tube.

Prepare the cracker

Everyone should consider what they would like to hide in their crackers. This could include writing a joke, adding some edible treats, or even just writing a positive affirmation for the receiver to enjoy.
Add the gifts to the tube, and then wrap the cut tube around it.
Invite someone to help you pull your cracker or save it and take it home.

Reflection

This activity gave everyone the opportunity to develop their skills and create something which they can give to someone else. It is important to make sure we are being responsible and making decisions which can help up become more sustainable. How did it make you feel to make something which was better for the environment? What gift did you choose for your cracker? How was that gift sustainable? You had to develop your craft skills in this activity. Were the crackers easy to make? How can you use the skills you have learnt in this activity at home?

Safety

All activities must be safely managed. You must complete a thorough risk assessment and take appropriate steps to reduce risk. Use the safety checklist to help you plan and risk assess your activity. Always get approval for the activity, and have suitable supervision and an InTouch process.

Scissors: Supervise young people appropriately when they’re using scissors. Store all sharp objects securely, out of the reach of young people.
Glue and solvents: Always supervise young people appropriately when they’re using glue and solvent products. Make sure there’s plenty of ventilation. Be aware of any medical conditions that could be affected by glue or solvent use and make adjustments as needed.
Sharp objects: Teach young people how to use sharp objects safely. Supervise them appropriately throughout. Store all sharp objects securely, out of the reach of young people.