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Marshmallow Blowguns 
This is a quick and easy project that makes for hours and hours of fun -- yet costs less than $2!
Using a Marshmallow Blowgun -- and just a puff of air -- you can blow/"shoot" mini-marshmallows over fifty feet away! And yet the puffy treats are so soft, they are okay for indoors... and much safer (and cheaper) than paintball sets.
For this project you will need 1/2 inch PVC pipe (which comes in lengths around 10 feet, yet is quite inexpensive).
You will also need two of each of the fittings shown in the diagram below. For the fittings, be sure to get the slip-on kind, not the threaded ones that screw on.
And, you will need a saw of some type to cut the pieces to the proper lengths, and perhaps something to smooth the cut edges. You should NOT GLUE the parts together -- you may need to take the blowgun apart to clear out stuck marshmallows.
Keep in the mind the lengths are approximate, and can be varied without any problem. The two handles are to make it easier to hold and aim -- and are a great place to hide extra marshmallow "ammunition." Older "children" may want to space them out a little further, while keeping the total length more-or-less the same.
The key to the blowgun working much better than, say, someone spitting out marshmallows, are the two turns the marshmallows make.
As the marshmallows slow down to slip through the turns, extra air pressure builds behind them, so they can shoot out at surprisingly great speed.
Target practice or distance games can be invented, or even a sort of paintball-lite competition can be set up (use caution and wear some kind of eye protection, although sunglasses would probably be fine).
Since the marshmallows are so white, they are easy for the eye to follow and fun to watch. And clean up (at least outdoors) is minor -- since they're just starch and a little sugar, water will disolve them away in no time (unless birds or your dog get them first!).
When buying marshmallows, look for bags that are nice and puffed, not squished, with few or none stuck together. Be sure to buy lots of them (and since they're often around 60¢ a bag, that should be easy on your budget -- or your kids' allowance)!
Simply insert the marshmallow a little ways inside the mouthpiece, take a breath, aim and blow. You'll be amazed!
Whatever you do, be sure to get a breath BEFORE you put your mouth over the mouthpiece -- or you'll inhale the marshmallow!
These Marshmallow Blowguns are sure to keep your children (even quite young ones, and perhaps some older children-at-heart) busy for hours on end. You can leave yours white, or you can paint them or color with markers if you want, for extra fun.
Makes for a fun home-made gift, and would be a great activity for family get-togethers or birthday parties -- with an inexpensive favor your guests can take home and enjoy!
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arts