How to make a desktop elephant drinking station

A fun way to create a cute water station just for you.

When I was a child one of my favourite activities involved a drink with a straw.

I would suck up the drink and seal the straw with my tongue. I’d then pull the straw out of the drink.

To my continuous amazement, as long as the top of the straw remained sealed, the liquid in the straw didn’t fall out. Mind. Blown.

The reason I’m sharing this story? The science behind this silly straw game will actually be the mechanic for making a simple, functional drinking station. Let’s get into it.

What you need

• Small recyclable plastic bottle • Cup • Bendy straw • Cardstock • Balloon • Tape • Pens • Juice • Scissors • Stiletto

Note Adult participation is advised when using sharp tools (E.g., stiletto).

Activity

Puncture the side of a small, recyclable drinking bottle, near the base. Cut off the neck of a balloon. Pull the balloon body over the bottle base, fully covering the side puncture.

Line up a stiletto with the middle of the bottle puncture, and then generously puncture the balloon wall. Push the straw head through the balloon. The balloon acts as a seal, preventing leaks.

Trim a bendy straw below the concertina-type hinge. Bend the straw hinge on a slight angle. Slide the straw into the lined up holes, with the bent straw pointed downward.

Source: Supplied

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Tape the bottle on top of an upside-down cup.

Draw and cut out the front of an elephant’s body – including head, ears, two front legs, and a face (but not the trunk). Puncture the elephant drawing in line with the bottle puncture. Feed the elephant puncture onto the straw. Tape the elephant to the bottle.

Remove bottle lid. Hold the straw end closed with one hand and pour juice into the bottle with another hand. With the straw still pressed closed firmly replace the bottle lid. This process controls the air pressure in the bottle.

Place a tiny cup under the elephant’s trunk. Untwist the lid to release the juice. Then twist the lid closed to stop the juice from escaping.

For more detailed instructions, see the video at the top!

Originally published as How to make a desktop elephant drinking station