We will be sharing how to make a mini-pabitin craft. A “pabitin” is a popular Filipino party game where treats, toys, and money are suspended from a wooden hanging. The actual life-size pabitin is large enough for many guests at the party to jump and try to grab the suspended goodies. It is quite a festive tradition!
For our craft, we will share how to make a miniature version, to give your child a sampling idea of the concept.
Here is what you will need:
Supplies:
- 8 Popsicle/Craft sticks per pabitin
- String/Yarn
- White glue or glue gun
- Scissors
- Small treats, small toys, and/or money
(Optional) Francesca: Isa, Dalawa, Sorpresa by Cel Tria, Illustrated by Gel Relova. Reading this Filipino children’s book is a wonderful extension to this activity because not only does it feature the pabitin in the story, but it also teaches more about the Filipino culture and the Tagalog language. It is also an adorable story about a girl celebrating her birthday. (If you’re curious to learn more about the book, check out our video walk-through of the book. (Related post: Interview with the author and illustrator).
The digital audiobook is available on iBooks and the paperback book can be purchased on Amazon.
Steps:
- Lay out 4 craft sticks, evenly spaced.
2. Add a drop of glue to the end of each stick.
3. Place one craft stick across the top of the 4 craft sticks, securing it in place with the glue.
4. Add a drop of glue to the other end of the craft sticks.
5. Lay a popsicle stick across the ends of the 4 popsicle sticks. Adjust the positioning as needed to straighten the alignment of the craft sticks.
6. Repeat the steps above and add 2 more rows of craft sticks in the middle.
7. It will be a total of 4 rows horizontally and vertically.
8. While the glue is drying, cut 4 pieces of yarn/string about 8 inches long. (This can be adjusted depending on how long you prefer the hanging to be).
9. Tie one string to each corner of the pabitin square.
10. Once you have tied the strings, gather the ends at the top.
11. Tie a knot/ribbon at the top to secure the 4 ends together.
12. Cut between eight to sixteen 6″ strings that will be used to suspend the treats, toys, or money.
13. Attach the toys, treats, and/or money to the strings and tie it to the pabitin.
14. The pabitin can be suspended to hang from a branch or stick.
15. My kids enjoyed using their pabitin with their mini figurine toys. They pretended their toys were celebrating a birthday, and they had their toys “jump” to grab their treats.
We hope you enjoy making this craft with your family! It is a fun way to share more about the Filipino culture.