How to Cause a Straw Wrapper to Wriggle Like a Worm

Do you have the secret knowledge of animating a lifeless drinking straw wrapper? You will after you read this article.

1. Using a new paper-wrapped drinking straw, scrunch the protective paper sleeve down toward one end of the straw. Do not get the paper wet! Keep the paper on the straw until it is compressed tightly.
   
   
2. Push the compressed scrunchy paper off the end of the straw onto a dry surface. Notice that the dry paper continues to hold the shape of a short tube.
   
   
3. At this point, tell your friends to watch.
   
   
4. Place two or three drops of liquid onto the compressed paper tube. As soon as the liquid contacts the scrunched paper tube, it will begin to wriggle and squirm as it expands.
   
   

• Practice getting just the right amount of liquid. Too little liquid prevents the worm from dramatically expanding. Too much liquid and the worm just gets soggy and dies.

• Straw with the wrapper intact
• Small amount of liquid.