Chameleon Pipe Cleaner Creature

This lizard began his life as a few skinny pipe cleaners. With help from the kid who shaped him, he grew into a lovable pet. 

Chameleon Pipe Cleaner Creature

Source: Kids Good Things 2006, Volume 2006 Special Issue 2006


This chameleon fits comfortably into a pocket or pencil case, won't make a peep during class, and is easy to take care of: It doesn't need food or water, and it never gets fleas. This creature is made by forming the head out of one pipe cleaner, then slipping a coiled pipe cleaner over it to create the body. For features you can use snippets of other pipe cleaners or of felt. Pipe cleaners were invented to clean the inside of tobacco pipes but, naturally, they'd rather avoid that sooty career, so they're extra loyal when given the opportunity to serve as pets.


  • Pipe cleaners 

  • Marker

  • Felt

  • Glue

  • Small scissors


  1. For the head, make a loop in the middle of a pipe cleaner. The size and shape of the loop determine the size and shape of the head. Wrap head from neck to nose.

  2. For the body, coil a pipe cleaner around a marker (the thicker the marker, the fatter the animal) and slide off.

  3. Leave his tail extra long for curling.

  4. Slip legs between coils, and twist.

  5. Bend knees and feet.

  6. Cut a skinny pipe cleaner for tongue.

  7. Cut felt eyes. Glue on.

  8. Draw pupils with a permanent marker. Slide tongue into the face, and curl end.


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