The best toy in the drawer.

Kids & Play

Give a child a handful of chopsticks and watch them build a teepee, a wizard's wand, a kite frame or an entire mini village. Chopsticks are the ultimate low-cost open-ended construction toy.

These uses double as STEM activities (bridge-building, kite frames) and imaginative play (puppet theatres, magic wands). Perfect for rainy afternoons, birthday parties and school projects.

13 ideas in this category.

#60 · Build a TeePee

Arrange three chopsticks, bind the tops together, and spread the base. Tiny teepee achieved. Great for cake decorating too.

#61 · Make a wizard wand

Sand it, paint it, wrap the handle in thread - or just wave it around as-is and mutter convincingly. Magic is in the commitment.

#62 · Frame a tiny kite

Cross two chopsticks and tie the joint firmly - you've got a kite frame. Add a plastic bag and some string. Aerodynamics: variable.

#63 · Build a mini log cabin

Stack and notch chopsticks like Lincoln Logs to build a miniature cabin structure. You'll need many chopsticks and a lot of patience.

#64 · Build a tiny raft

Lay chopsticks parallel and bind the ends with rubber bands or string. Float it in the bath. Crew of Lego figures optional.

#65 · Play pick-up sticks

Drop a pile and carefully remove one at a time without disturbing the rest. The original chopstick game and still a classic.

#66 · Living room relay race

Run a chopstick relay around the living room furniture. The most prestigious sporting event of any given Tuesday.

#67 · Puppet theatre curtain rod

String a piece of fabric across two chopsticks propped upright at each end. Instant puppet theatre backdrop. Showtime.

#68 · Toy boat oar

Craft a tiny oar for a homemade toy boat. Functionality: variable. Commitment: total.

#69 · Learn pen spinning

The chopstick is the ideal tool for learning to spin a pen between your fingers. Hours of fidgety, mildly annoying fun.

#70 · Engineering bridge challenge

Build a bridge using only chopsticks and elastic bands, then test how much weight it holds before it dramatically collapses.

#71 · Counting tool for young children

Lay out chopsticks one by one for counting exercises. Physical objects make abstract numbers click in a way screens cannot.

#73 · Flag post

Attach a sticky note flag to a chopstick and plant it victoriously in your desk, your lunch, or a freshly baked cake.