Looking for something to do with all those corks sitting around from a summer’s worth of dinner vino? All it takes is five minutes—and some craft paper, thread, and toothpicks—for you and your little ones to transform these ordinary bottle stoppers into pocket-sized pals in the fun forms of a dragon and horse with rider.

They not only make a easy craft for kids, but can also function as a party favor for adults: Just prepackage the toothpicks and precut cardboard triangles and thread in a small envelope, use it as a place card at your next dinner party, and watch the big kids have a ball.

Here’s how the corky pals came together…

What You Need

• Construction paper
• Toothpicks
• Corks
• Thread

How To Make a Dragon

Step 1
Use two corks: Leave one of them as is, for the body, and cut a small piece off the second one to make the head. Use a piece of a toothpick to join these two pieces so that the head sits tight on top of the body as shown.

Step 2
Break two toothpicks in little pieces to make the arms and legs. Stick them into the lower cork.

Step 3
Cut little triangles out of cardboard. Slice each cork on the longer side and insert the cardboard triangles, no need for glue.

How to Make a Horse

Step 1
Cut one cork in half for the head, cut another cork in half (lengthwise) for the body.

Step 2
Make two little holes with a toothpick: one on top of the head for the mane and one at the end of the body for the tail. Take some thread and push it carefully into each hole, no need for glue.

Step 3
Break two toothpicks in four equal pieces and use them for the legs.

Step 4
Use the instructions for making the dragon, sans flags of course, for making the little guy on top.

Happy crafting!