Make Gobbles
Make fluffy Gobbles pom-pom creatures using yarn, googly eyes, pipe cleaners, and glue; learn safe cutting, measurement, and creative decorating skills.
About this activity
Make fluffy Gobbles pom-pom creatures using yarn, googly eyes, pipe cleaners, and glue; learn safe cutting, measurement, and creative decorating skills.
What you need
Step by step
- 1
Step 1
Gather all materials and set them on a clean table.
- 2
Step 2
Use the ruler to trace two identical rings on the cardboard about 8 cm across with a smaller hole in the middle.
- 3
Step 3
Cut out both cardboard rings carefully along your traced lines with scissors.
- 4
Step 4
Place the two cardboard rings on top of each other aligned.
- 5
Step 5
Wrap yarn around the stacked rings evenly until the rings look thick and full of yarn.
- 6
Step 6
Slide the scissors between the two rings and cut the yarn along the outer edge all the way around.
- 7
Step 7
Tie a short piece of yarn very tightly around the middle between the rings to secure the strands.
- 8
Step 8
Pull the cardboard rings off the yarn to free your pom-pom.
- 9
Step 9
Fluff the pom-pom by separating the strands with your fingers until it looks round and puffy.
- 10
Step 10
Trim any long or uneven strands with scissors to make a neat round Gobble body.
- 11
Step 11
Cut pipe cleaners into the lengths you want for legs wings or antennae.
- 12
Step 12
Push or wrap the pipe cleaner pieces into the pom-pom center knot to attach them as legs wings or antennae.
- 13
Step 13
Glue googly eyes to the front of your Gobble.
- 14
Step 14
Draw a mouth and add patterns or colors with your colouring materials.
- 15
Step 15
Share your finished Gobble creation on DIY.org.
Fun facts
How do you make Gobbles pom-pom creatures?
To make Gobbles, wrap yarn around a small cardboard ring or fork to form a thick bundle, slide the yarn off and tie tightly through the center with a separate length. Cut the loops on both sides and trim into a round pom-pom. Glue on googly eyes, twist pipe cleaners into legs or antennae and poke or glue them into the pom-pom. Supervise safe cutting and measure yarn lengths with a ruler.
What materials do I need to make Gobbles?
You’ll need yarn in various colors, cardboard or a pom-pom maker, scissors (child-safe), extra yarn for tying, googly eyes, pipe cleaners, white school glue or a low-temp hot glue gun (adult use only), and a ruler for measuring. Optional items include felt, sequins, markers, and small stickers. Keep tiny decorations away from very young children and prefer craft glue if kids are working without close adult help.
What ages is the Make Gobbles activity suitable for?
Make Gobbles is best for ages 4 and up with close adult supervision for cutting and small parts; children 4–6 will need help wrapping, tying, and gluing. Ages 7–12 can complete most steps independently and experiment with measurements and decorations. Not recommended for children under 3 because of choking hazards. Adjust tasks so toddlers can explore yarn while adults handle scissors and glue.
What are the benefits, safety tips, and variations for Gobbles?
Making Gobbles builds fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, measuring practice, and creative expression. Teach safe scissor use, avoid tiny embellishments for under-threes, and use non-toxic glue; reserve hot glue for adults. Variations include using different yarn textures or colors, combining small and large pom-poms for bodies, adding felt wings or hats, and stringing Gobbles into a garland or pom-pom family to extend the activity for group play.
Watch & Learn
Need help?
What can we use if we don't have cardboard, pipe cleaners, or googly eyes?
Trace two rings on corrugated cereal‑box cardboard using a cup instead of a ruler, cut short twist ties or braided yarn pieces to use like pipe cleaners for legs or antennae, and glue on buttons or draw eyes with colouring materials in place of googly eyes.
Why do strands fall out when I remove the cardboard rings and how can I fix it?
If strands slip out, make sure you wrap plenty of yarn around the stacked rings, cut the yarn all the way around between the rings with scissors, and tie a short piece of yarn very tightly around the middle between the rings before pulling the cardboard rings off.
How can I adapt this pom‑pom Gobble activity for younger or older kids?
For preschoolers have an adult pre‑trace and cut the cardboard rings and help wrap and tie the yarn, while older kids can make smaller or more intricate 8 cm rings, trim strands neatly with scissors, and add detailed patterns with colouring materials.
How can we make our Gobbles more unique or advanced?
Personalize your Gobble by wrapping alternating yarn colors around the stacked rings, inserting patterned pipe cleaners for wings or legs, gluing sequins along with googly eyes, and drawing a custom mouth and patterns with colouring materials before trimming.