June 22: LABYRINTH

Get ready to do a little dance (Magic Dance), because Jim Henson's Labyrinth is this week's Family Matinee recommendation. It's full of adventure — including goblins, fireys and David Bowie as the Goblin King, Jareth!

VIEWING

• Available to rent on iTunes, Amazon Prime Video and other streaming platforms ($2.99-$3.99)

• Reserve for curbside pickup with your library card from Shreve Memorial or Bossier Parish Library

LABYRINTH ACTIVITY SHEETS

Click the button below to download and print Labyrinth Activity Sheets, including a word search, coloring pages, a word scramble, and a LABYRINTH!

June 15: THE PARENT TRAP

You're in for a double whammy with this week's Family Matinee pick. We're watching The Parent Trap, starring Hayley Mills and Hayley Mills. While we like the 1998 version with Lindsay Lohan, we LOVE the 1961 version. This Disney classic takes us on holiday to summer camp and both coasts. You can stream The Parent Trap on Disney+ or borrow a copy from Shreve Memorial or Bossier Parish Libraries. Enjoy this week's Family Matinee pick and let us know what you think!.

VIEWING

• Streaming on Disney+ (available with subscription)

• Available to rent on iTunes, Amazon Prime Video and other streaming platforms ($$2.99-$3.99)

• Reserve for curbside pickup with your library card from Shreve Memorial or Bossier Parish Library

HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES: Fruit Popsicles and Popsicle Stick Bird Feeder

Check out the video to learn how to make a delicious summertime treat — popsicles! And when you’re done eating those, you can recycle the sticks and make them into a a bird feeder (even better than the birdcage Hayley Mills makes at summer camp in the movie!

June 8: THE SANDLOT

Take me out to the ballgame, take me out to the movies! That's it, right? This week we're playing ball, old school, with The Sandlot. Join Smalls, Ham, Yeah Yeah, Benny, and the gang as they have the summer of their lives playing ball down at the sandlot and getting into a big ol' pickle. You can currently stream The Sandlot on Starz or HULU with a Starz subscription or borrow a copy from Shreve Memorial Library or Bossier Parish Library with curbside pickup. Enjoy this week's Family Matinee pick and let us know what you think! Please support RFC during this temporary closure. DONATE HERE: http://bit.ly/supportrfc

VIEWING

• Streaming on Starz or Hulu with Starz (available with subscription)

• Available to rent on iTunes, Amazon Prime Video and other streaming platforms ($3.99)

• Reserve for curbside pickup with your library card from Shreve Memorial or Bossier Parish Library

HANDS-ON ACTIVITY: S’mores

The kids in The Sandlot LOVE S’mores … they even show you how to make them in the movie. Check out the video to see that clip!

INGREDIENTS:

• chocolate

• graham crackers

• marshmallow

INSTRUCTIONS

You don’t need a campfire to make a delicious S’mores snack! Just top one graham cracker with chocolate, another graham cracker with a large marshmallow, and pop them in the microwave for 20 seconds. Then sandwich the two together and enjoy!

May 25: BEDKNOBS AND BROOMSTICKS

This week we're donning our jammies as we travel back to England in Bedknobs and Broomsticks! Tuck in for this musical adventure starring Angela Landsbury and snack on a healthy(ish) treat while you learn what it takes to become an apprentice witch. Watch on Disney+, rent/purchase on Youtube, Prime, Google Play or you can borrow the DVD from Shreve Memorial Library and do curbside pickup from a participating branch. Enjoy this week's Family Matinee pick and let us know what you think! Please support RFC during this temporary closure. 

VIEWING

• Streaming on Disney+ (available with subscription)

• Available to rent on iTunes, Amazon Prime Video and other streaming platforms ($2.99-$3.99)

• Reserve for curbside pickup with your library card from Shreve Memorial or Bossier Parish Library

HANDS-ON ACTIVITY: Peanut Butter Dip with Apples

RFC’s education director Rachael Hansil is back with a delicious recipe for Peanut Butter Dip! Follow her simple instructions to make to enjoy during your viewing of Bedknobs and Broomsticks!

PEANUT BUTTER DIP RECIPE

INGREDIENTS:

• 1/2 cup peanut butter

• 1/2 cup yogurt

• 1/2 cup brown sugar or honey (dial the sugar back to half, if you like)

INSTRUCTIONS

Mix together in a bowl, and enjoy with sliced apples.

May 18: FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM

For this week's Family Matinee at home, Angie travels back to the Wizarding World to tell us all about her favorite fantastic beasts — and why you should watch J.K. Rowling's Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them and its sequel, The Crimes of Grindelwald. These prequels set before the events in the Harry Potter books and films are excellent additions to the Wizarding World, full of magic and fantastic beasts. And you can make your very own Bowtruckle with this week's craft activity!

VIEWING

• Both films are available to rent on iTunes, Amazon Prime Video ($3.99)

• Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald is available on HBO Go (with HBO subscription)

• If you have a library card with Shreve Memorial Library or Bossier Parish Library, you can also place a hold on these movies and pick up the DVDs at one of the pickup branches.

HANDS-ON ACTIVITY: Bowtruckle craft

You’ll fall in love with Pickett, Newt’s Bowtruckle that insists on staying in the magizoologist’s pocket! Now you can make your very own to carry around wherever you go! Watch the video for craft demonstration.

SUPPLIES:

• Floral wire or another posable wire — pipe cleaners will also work!

• Floral tape

• Scissors

• Wire cutters

• Two leaves from a fake plant

• Marker

INSTRUCTIONS

There’s no wrong way to make a Bowtruckle! They look like twigs, so they can take on any shape that you’d like!

1. First, cut your wire and begin shaping — since the shape is up to you, some tips to keep in mind are you’ll need arms, two antennas to attach your leaves and legs. Angie recommends three legs to make your Bowtruckle sturdier in posing.

2. Wrap the wire around your shape to your desired thickness.

3. Cover the wire structure in floral tape. The tape is self-adhesive, so you just need to pinch it together to make the tape stick. Cover the entire wire shape, making sure no wires stick out.

4. Hold the stems of your fake leaves against the wire antennas you created, and then wrap floral tape around the stems and wire.

5. Press firmly on all areas of the tape to make sure it is secure. Try posing your Bowtruckle to make sure he can stand. Adjust if needed.

6. Add facial features with your marker — give your Bowtruckle eyes and a mouth!

READ THE BOOKS

J.K. Rowling’s book that inspired the film, an illustrated edition and the original screenplay are also available to check out from Shreve Memorial Library and Bossier Parish Library!

May 11: CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG

This week we travel to jolly old England for Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Dick Van Dyke takes us on a magical and musical journey as quirky inventor Professor Caractacus Potts. It's more than spectacular, to quote the vernacular! You can borrow the DVD or the book by author Ian Fleming (Yes, THAT Ian Fleming of Bond fame), thanks to Shreve Memorial Library. The film is also available to stream through Netflix. Enjoy this week's Family Matinee pick and let us know what you think!

VIEWING

• Streaming on Netflix (available with subscription)

• Available to rent on iTunes, Amazon Prime Video (.99-$3.99)

HANDS-ON ACTIVITY: Eton Mess Dessert

RFC’s education director Rachael Hansil is back with a delicious recipe for Eton Mess! Follow the instruction to make to enjoy during your viewing of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang! Check out the video to her cooking demonstration!

MERINGUE COOKIES RECIPE

INGREDIENTS:

• 3 large egg whites

• 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar

• 3/4 cup superfine sugar (if you don't have superfine sugar simply take granulated white sugar and process it for about 30-60 seconds in a food processor or blender)

• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract, if desired

INSTRUCTIONS

1. In the bowl of your electric mixer, with the whisk attachment, beat the egg whites on low-medium speed until foamy. Add the cream of tartar and continue to beat the whites until they hold soft peaks. Add the sugar, a little at a time, and continue to beat, on medium-high speed, until the meringue holds very stiff peaks. Beat in the vanilla extract.

   Note: The meringue is done when it holds stiff peaks and when you rub a little between your thumb and index finger it does not feel gritty. If it feels gritty the sugar has not fully dissolved so keep beating until it feels smooth between your fingers.

2. Spoon mounds of meringue, using two spoons, onto the prepared sheets.

3. Bake the meringues for approximately 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 hours, rotating the baking sheet from front to back (about half way through) to ensure even baking. The meringues are done when they are pale in color and fairly crisp. (The meringues will release easily from the parchment paper.) Turn off the oven, open the door a crack, and leave the meringues in the oven to finish drying several hours or overnight.The meringues can be covered and stored at room temperature for several days.

   Makes about ten 2.5 inch (6 cm) meringues

ETON MESS RECIPE

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 pound fresh strawberries or 4 cups thawed frozen strawberries

• 1/2 medium sized lemon

• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, divided

• 4 to 8 store-bought or homemade baked meringue cookies, depending on size (We used four 2.5 inch meringue cookies)

• 2 cups cold heavy cream or 1 container of cool whip/whipped cream

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Dice 1 pound strawberries and place in a large bowl. Finely grate the zest of 1/2 medium lemon and set aside. Juice the lemon until you have 1 tablespoon, then add the juice and 1 tablespoon of the granulated sugar to the strawberries, and toss to combine.

2. Coarsely crush meringue cookies with your fingers, or place them in a plastic ziptop bag and coarsely crush with the bottom of a small saucepan or rolling pin. Place 2 cups cold heavy cream and the remaining 1 tablespoon granulated sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. (Alternatively, use a large bowl and electric hand mixer.) Beat on medium speed until soft peaks form, 3 to 4 minutes.

3. Add the crushed meringues and 2/3 of the strawberries to the whipped cream and gently fold together with a rubber spatula. Evenly divide the mixture between 4 coupes, short glasses, or small bowls. Top with the remaining strawberries and sprinkle with the lemon zest.

READ THE BOOK

If you have a Shreve Memorial Library card, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang by Ian Fleming is available to borrow in several formats. Visit www.shreve-lib.org and search the catalog to check out a copy!

May 4: THE KARATE KID

As RFC prepares to make a comeback following this temporary closure, we’ve been revisiting our favorite comeback films like this week’s Family Matinee recommendation, The Karate Kid. Get ready to wax on and wax off … and practice your karate basics as this week’s activity! Comment and tell us your favorite comeback film for a chance to win The Karate Kid on DVD. And please support your nonprofit art house cinema during this closure — you can Give for Good on May 5 at giveforgoodnla.org/RFC or donate any time to RFC on our website at http://bit.ly/supportrfc.

VIEWING

• Streaming on Sling TV ( with subscription)

• Available to rent on iTunes, Amazon Prime Video ($2.99-$3.99)

HANDS-ON ACTIVITY: Karate basics

Check out this week’s video to learn a couple of karate basics from our friend Reagan, and then go enjoy the outdoors and practice your moves.

April 27: WILLY WONKA & THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY

Who can take a sunrise, sprinkle it in dew, cover it in chocolate and a miracle or two? That's right, the ultimate candyman, Willy Wonka! This week our education director Rachael Hansil travels back to the 70s for the musical classic Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory. Tell us your favorite Wonka creation in comments below or make up one of your own to win a copy of Roald Dahl's book, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Don't forget to check out the Wonka Snack recipe to go along with this week's Family Matinee recommendation!

VIEWING

• Streaming on Netflix starting May 1 (available with subscription)

• Available to rent on iTunes, Amazon Prime Video ($3.99)

HANDS-ON ACTIVITY: Wonka Pop

What’s a great movie without a delicious snack?! Inspired by Willy Wonka’s sweet creations, check out Rachael’s recipe for Wonka Pop for some crunchy, salty, chocolatey sweetness! Watch this week’s video for her demonstration!

INGREDIENTS:

• 10 cups popped popcorn

• 3 tbsp oil if popping your own

• 1 1/2 cups pretzels

• 1/4 to 1/2 cup unsalted butter

• 2 tbsp -1/4 cup packed light brown sugar

• 3 cups mini marshmallows

• 1 teaspoon vanilla (optional)

• 1 teaspoon sea salt

• 1/2 cup M&M's

STOVETOP POPCORN INSTRUCTIONS

1. Add the oil and several kernels to a large sauce pot. Place the lid on the pot and turn the heat onto medium-high. Wait for the test kernels to pop.

2. Once the kernels pop, remove, then add the rest of the kernels, replace the lid, and give the pot a swirl to coat the kernels in the hot oil. Wait for the kernels to begin to pop. You can swirl again to redistribute the hot oil, if needed.

3. Once the kernels begin to pop rapidly, crack the lid a little bit to allow excess steam to escape. Make sure it's only open a little to keep the pot hot enough to continue popping the corn.

4. When the popping slows to about 2 pops per second, turn off the heat. Wait a few extra seconds for the last few pops, then remove the lid and pour the popcorn into a bowl.

WONKA POP INSTRUCTIONS

1. Place the popcorn and pretzels on a large non-stick or parchment lined baking sheet. Set aside.

2. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the brown sugar and cook until melted and combined. Add the marshmallows and stir until completely melted. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla (and salt if you so choose).

3. Evenly pour the marshmallow caramel mixture over the popcorn and pretzels. Gently stir until the popcorn and pretzels are well coated. It will be sticky! Sprinkle on the M&M's. Taste and season with additional salt, if desired. Store in an airtight container for up to one week.

READ THE BOOK

If you have a Shreve Memorial Library card, Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl is available to borrow as an eBook through the Overdrive app and site. Visit www.shreve-lib.org for more details on how to borrow from Overdrive using your library account!

April 20: THE PRINCESS BRIDE

Everything you need to know in life you can learn from The Princess Bride ... or at least our Marketing Director Angie thinks so. It's got true love, guidance on exterminating rodents of unusual size, and even tips on how to navigate the coronavirus pandemic. Oh, and it's a great film to quote along with the family. Check out the craft activities to go along with this week's Family Matinee recommendation.

VIEWING

• Streaming on Disney+ starting May 1 (available with subscription)

• Available to rent on Amazon Prime Video ($3.99) or for purchase on other streaming platforms ($12.99-$14.99)

DISCUSS AFTER VIEWING

• Who is your favorite character and why?

• What’s your favorite quote from the movie?

• What was the scariest obstacle the characters had to face?

READ THE BOOK

If you have a Shreve Memorial Library card, The Princess Bride by William Goldman is available to borrow as an eBook through the Hoopla app and site. Visit www.shreve-lib.org for more details on how to borrow from Hoopla using your library account!

HANDS-ON ACTIVITY: Buttercup’s Crown & Inigo Montoya’s Sword

Share your photos with your completed crowns or swords on Facebook or Instagram (and tag RFC’s Facebook or Instagram), or email them to robinsonfilmcenter@gmail.com — we want to share your creativity with the RFC audience!

SUPPLIES NEEDED:

• Construction paper, cardstock or regular paper

• Scissors, a ruler and a pencil or a paper cutter with measurement guides

• Glue – any type of glue will work

• Markers, colors or stickers to decorate (optional)

WATCH THIS WEEK’S VIDEO FOR THE FULL INSTRUCTIONS!

April 13: ALICE IN WONDERLAND

Social distancing making you feel MAD as a HATTER?! Well check out this week's Family Matinee recommendation and kids’ activity you can enjoy from home — Alice in Wonderland! Our Marketing Director Angie loves the 1951 animated classic, but if you prefer live action, check out Tim Burton’s version! Comment in the comments below with your email address to be entered into this week's Alice in Wonderland prize pack drawing — you can tell us which film version of Alice you like best OR your favorite part of the films!

VIEWING

• Streaming available on Disney+ with a subscription

• Available to rent or purchase from iTunes, Amazon Prime or other streaming platforms ($2.99)

DISCUSS AFTER VIEWING

• What is your favorite part of Alice’s adventure in Wonderland and why?

• If you could escape to Wonderland, what would you do differently from Alice?

• Which character helped Alice the most on her adventure and how did they help?

READ THE BOOK

Audible has released some free audiobook stories — click here to check out Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s in Adventures in Wonderland, read by actress  Scarlett Johansson!

HANDS-ON ACTIVITY: MAD HATTER’S TEACUPS

Share your photos with your completed teacups on Facebook or Instagram (and tag RFC’s Facebook or Instagram), or email them to robinsonfilmcenter@gmail.com — we want to share your creativity with the RFC audience!

SUPPLIES NEEDED:

• RFC’s Mad Hatter Teacup Printable (click to download and print)

• Construction paper, cardstock or regular paper

• Scissors

• Glue – any type of glue will work

• Pencil or pen to trace pattern, if using template for multiple cups

• Markers, colors or stickers to decorate (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS — WATCH THE VIDEO FOR DEMONSTRATIONS OF THE STEPS BELOW

Step 1
Download and print your teacup pattern. You can either print it on multiple sheets of paper for multiple cups or just print it once for a template you can trace on multiple sheets of construction or colored paper.

Step 2
Cut out your pieces along the bold black lines. If you’re using the pattern as a template, you’ll cut them out and then trace them on other pieces of colored paper or construction paper.

Step 3
For the base of your teacup (the smaller circle), cut slits along the light grey lines from the outside of the circle all the way to the light grey circle in the center. This will help keep the saucer’s shape.

Step 4
Using whatever glue you have handy, overlap the edges of your cup section and glue together. You can hold the cup together with a clothespin or paper clips while it is drying.

Step 5
Assemble the two pieces of the saucer. You’ll overlap the edges of the large saucer piece and glue together. Then take the saucer base and place on top of the saucer, gluing the circle over the hole in the large saucer piece and gluing down the tabs to make your saucer sturdy.

Step 6
Once the pieces are dry, you’ll glue the cup to your saucer and then add the handle to your cup.

Step 7
Now you’re ready to have a Mad Hatter’s Tea Party! You can also create several cups and have a stacking teacup race!

April 6: THE WIZARD OF OZ

While we’re all at home staying safe and healthy with our families, we want to remind you to have a little fun in between your online school work and remote work, so we’re going to bring you a Family Matinee recommendation each week, a film you can watch at home with the whole family, paired with a fun hands-on activity. For the week of April 6, our education director Rachael Hansil recommends a classic — The Wizard of Oz.

VIEWING

• Available to rent or purchase from iTunes or Amazon Prime ($3.99)

DISCUSS AFTER VIEWING

• Who was your favorite character in the movie and why?

• What is your favorite song in the movie?

HANDS-ON ACTIVITY: Wizard of Oz Piñata

This craft is easy to assemble using materials around the house. Share your photos with your completed pinatas on Facebook or Instagram (and tag RFC’s Facebook or Instagram), or email them to robinsonfilmcenter@gmail.com to be entered into the drawing for this week’s prize — a set of The Wizard of Oz books! Enter by the end of the day on Monday, April 13 — the winner will be announced on Tuesday, April 14.

SUPPLIES NEEDED:

• cardboard box

• cereal box/additional cardboard

• different colors of tissue paper, crepe paper, or construction paper

• brown paper bag

• empty toilet paper or paper towel roll for chimney

• scissors

• tape

• glue and/or glue stick

• 2 zip ties (or string)

• string/rope

• piñata filler — this could be candy, snacks, small toys

For the Wicked Witch of the East’s Stockings:

• 1 straw

• green ribbon

• additional white and red paper

WATCH THE VIDEO FOR INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO ASSEMBLE YOUR PINATA!

March 30: THE CAT IN THE HAT

While we’re all at home staying safe and healthy with our families, we want to remind you to have a little fun in between your online school work and remote work, so we’re going to bring you a Family Matinee recommendation each week, a film you can watch at home with the whole family, paired with a fun hands-on activity. The Cat in the Hat, an adaptation of Dr. Seuss’ beloved picture book, is our selection for the week of March 30.

VIEWING

• Streaming available on Netflix with subscription

• Available to rent or purchase from iTunes or Amazon Prime

DISCUSS AFTER VIEWING

• What was your favorite part of the movie and why?

• Do you have a favorite Dr. Seuss book? Which one and why?

HANDS-ON ACTIVITY: CAT IN THE HAT PORTRAIT

This easy craft is a great activity to help your child with shapes. The Cat in the Hat portrait is made with circles, rectangles, triangles and a square. Make sure to share your photos with your completed portraits on Facebook or Instagram (and tag RFC’s Facebook or Instagram), or email them to robinsonfilmcenter@gmail.com to be entered into the drawing for this week’s prize (watch the video for more on that)! The winner will be announced on Monday, April 6.

SUPPLIES NEEDED:

• RFC’s shape template, click here to download and print

• Colored paper or construction paper in blue, white, black and red. If you have a color printer, you can also download and print the full-color template here if you don’t have colored paper.

• Scissors

• Glue

• Black marker

INSTRUCTIONS — WATCH THE VIDEO FOR DEMONSTRATIONS OF THE STEPS BELOW OR CLICK THROUGH THE PHOTO SLIDESHOW ABOVE

Step 1
Download RFC’s Cat in the Hat shape template and print. Cut out all shape templates and trace them on construction paper and cut out. Shapes needed include:

• For the head — one black circle and one white circle

• For the hat — one white square, three red rectangles and one white rectangle that is longer than the red ones

• For the bow tie — one small red circle and two red triangles

Again, if you don’t have colored paper, you can print the black and white template and have your child color the shapes OR if you have a color printer, you can download the full-color template here.

Step 2
Assemble the head by gluing the white circle centered on top of the larger black circle. Then glue those to the bottom of the blue paper, leaving room for the bow tie to go underneath.

Step 3
Assemble the bow tie by gluing the red triangles on the small red circle, one triangle on each side. Glue the bow tie under the head.

Step 4
For the hat, glue the white rectangle (the hat brim) on top of the head. The white square goes on top of the brim. Then glue the three red stripes. If you glue the bottom and the top ones first, you can then place the one in the middle so your stripes are spread out evenly.

Step 5
Draw the Cat in the Hat’s eyes, nose, mouth, whiskers and any other embellishments with your black marker.

March 23: HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER'S STONE

While we’re all at home staying safe and healthy with our families, we want to remind you to have a little fun in between your online school work and remote work, so we’re going to bring you a Family Matinee recommendation each week, a film you can watch at home with the whole family, paired with a fun hands-on activity. For our first selection for the week of March 23, our marketing director and resident Hufflepuff Angie chose Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (if you know Angie, this comes as no surprise!)

VIEWING

Streaming available to rent or purchase from iTunes or Amazon Prime

DISCUSS AFTER VIEWING

• What was your favorite part of the movie and why?

• Of all the spells used in the film, which one was your favorite?

• Who was your favorite character? Or what character did you relate to the most?

• If you read Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone and watched the movie, what are some differences you noticed in the film adaptation of the book?

HANDS-ON ACTIVITY: PAPER WANDS

Make sure to share your photos with your completed wands on Facebook or Instagram (and tag RFC’s Facebook or Instagram), or email them to robinsonfilmcenter@gmail.com to be entered into the drawing for this week’s prize (watch the video for more on that magical artifact)! The winner will be announced on Monday, March 30.

SUPPLIES NEEDED:

• Paper

• Double-sided tape

• Glue (glue stick or regular craft clue)

• Scissors

• Hot glue gun and sticks

• Paint (see step 7 for notes on using markers or crayons if paint is unavailable)

INSTRUCTIONS — WATCH THE VIDEO FOR DEMONSTRATIONS OF THE STEPS BELOW

Step 1: Prepare your paper
Stick a strip of double sided tape diagonally across your sheet of paper

Step 2: Tightly roll the paper
Starting in the corner, tightly roll the paper and diagonally, rolling one end a little less than the other so that the thin paper roll is tapered. Roll until you get to the double sided tape – roll over the tape so that your tapered roll sticks to it.

Step 3: Glue the last third of your paper roll
Smear the corner of the paper with the glue so the whole surface is covered. Then continue to roll the wand tightly and hold it in place with your fingers until it’s dry – wait about 20-30 minutes before your next step.

Step 4: Trim the wand
After the wand has dried, trim a little bit off both ends of the wand to make the ends straight. OPTIONAL: If you want your wand to be extra sturdy, you can repeat steps 1-3 with another sheet of paper, this time rolling it ever tighter, and stuff the new tighter roll inside your original wand and trim.

Step 5: Fill and plug the ends of the wand
If you have a hot glue gun, with the help of an adult, dribble the glue into the openings on both ends of the wand one at a time, waiting until each end is set. On the bigger end, if you glue with care, you can achieve a rounded end. As the glue is setting, make sure that you rotate the wand to stop it slumping to one side or dripping over the edge. The same goes for the smaller end, although if you have wound the wand tightly enough, you will not need to fill this twice.

Step 6: Create surface details
With the help of an adult, you can use your hot glue to add embellishments to your want. You can create rings, a crisscross lattice effect or a random pattern like vines. Holding the wand in one hand and the glue gun in the other slowly rotate the wand between finger and thumb as you gently squeeze out glue gun glue onto the surface of the wand. As the glue sets rotate the wand in the air to make sure that no uneven drips build up. The glue gun glue should be set in about a minute or so, but might be tacky for a couple more minutes so be careful what you rest it on to set properly.

Step 7: Color your wand
Now to color your wand. We recommend acrylic paint, but whatever paint you use, it’s best to start with an all over base coat. Once that dries, then you can add additional colors to your wand. If you do not have paint available at home, you can always use markers or crayons to decorate your wand. If using those, we recommend coloring one side of your paper with a base color and your embellishment designs BEFORE you begin step 1. The colored side of your paper will be placed bottom down, and your tape and glue from steps 2 and 3 will be applied to the white, uncolored side of your paper. You can also use colored construction paper in place of white paper when available.