How to Make Children's Army Stuff

Walkie-Talkies

• 1

  Tape the ends of the empty match box together to keep the box from sliding out. Lay out a piece of the green construction paper horizontally on your work surface, then lay the matchbox vertically, flush on one side of the paper, so that the edges of the paper and box match up.

• 2

  Tape the edge of the paper to the edge of the box. Roll the box to the opposite side of the paper until the box is wrapped completely in the construction paper. Cut away any excess paper. Use the glue to hold down the lip created when you cut the paper.

• 3

  Cut out circles on the black paper and glue them to one side of the matchbox to create an ear and mouth piece for "communications." Color the dowel rod piece with the black marker, then cut a hole in the top of the box the same diameter as the rod.

• 4

  Insert the rod into the hole to create the antenna. Color random splotches in black and brown across the entirety of the matchbox to create a camouflage effect on the walkie-talkie.

Grenades

• 5

  Cut strips of green construction paper, long enough so that you'll be able to wrap them around the empty thread spools. Cut enough to cover all the spools you have handy. Apply a little dab of glue to the end of the strips, then wrap the strip (glue side down) around the spools.

• 6

  Add another dab of glue to the other end to glue the end of the paper strip to the spool, then wrap rubber bands around the spools to keep the paper strips in place while the glue dries. While the glue dries, use the paint marker to color the popsicle sticks silver.

• 7

  Break or cut the stick ends. Glue the stick ends to one of the flat ends of the thread spools to create the grenade's spoon and pin mechanism. Draw black lines around the middle of the spools to create a the grid-like surface of a real grenade.