Believe it or not, the pig has been a popular bank shape for almost three hundred years. It dates back to the Middle Ages, when a dense, orange clay known as pygg was used throughout western Europe in the making of pots and jars, which frugal people used to save their money. This project is great for the girls because it teaches them to use their recycled resources wisely.

Materials

• 4 thread spools
• Pink paint
• Plastic soda bottle and cap
• Hot glue gun or Krazy Glue
• Pink felt
• Paper clips
• 2 matching buttons
• Craft knife
• Pink pipe cleaner

Directions

1. To assemble the pig, paint the thread spools pink. Once they dry, glue to the bottom of the soda bottle at an angle to serve as legs.

2. To make the ears, cut a pair of 3-inch wide triangles out of the felt. Fold the base of each triangle in half and glue the lower edges together. Use paper clips to secure them while drying. Trim the felt into ear shapes and glue them to the soda bottle.

3. Glue on the button eyes.

4. Leaders use the craft knife to poke a small hole in the bottle for the pipe cleaner tail. Also, cut a slot in the top through which the girls can feed coins into the pig.

Piggy Pencil Holder - Follow the instructions for the piggy bank but instead of a slot for coins, use the craft knife to make holes in its back for pencils.