I came up with this fun train favor for my son's recent 5th birthday. It incorporates recycled items. You'll need:
General Foods International Coffee Can
Danimals drinkable yogurt bottle
electrical tape ($1 store)
tempera paint, black
small cupcake wrapper
cotton ball
white water bottle cap
metallic silver paint pen (optional)
glue gun
craft glue

Paint top of Danimals bottle with tempera paint. Wrap tape around top of can once. Hold Danimals bottle to front and go around both with electrical tape to secure. Repeat until "engine" is completely covered. Fold cupcake wrapper in half and bend to form "cow catcher". Tape in place. Glue bottle cap on front for headlamp with glue gun. Gently stretch out half of cotton ball for smoke and place in top of bottle, securing with dab of craft glue.
You can create rivet pattern using paint pen. I cut out children's names with decorative scissors and taped to train to personalize. When finished, fill engine with party favors.

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