Young kids can make these bead crafts as fashion accessories and gifts. They come with easy instructions that use regular household items.
Straw Beads
Materials:
- White drinking straws
- Wrapping paper
- Glue
- Scissors
- Thin sewing needle
- Glitter (optional)
- String or necklace wiring (craft store)
Directions:
- Measure, mark, and cut strips of wrapping paper 2 inches wide and 1/2 times the length of your straw.
- Coat the underside of the wrapping paper with a thin layer of glue. Make sure the glue goes all the way to the edges of the wrapping paper.
- Starting at the top corner, tightly wrap the paper around the straw in a spiral motion.
- Snip the wrapping paper points off at each end of the straw.
- Now cut the straw in lengths that you want your beads to be. Make various sizes, if you desire.
- When threading your beads onto the string or wire, you can poke tiny holes in the larger beads so that the bead will hang long ways for different effects.
Pasta Beads
Materials:
- Newspaper
- Plastic baggie with zip lock.
- Measuring cup and spoons
- Food Coloring
- Elbow macaroni (uncooked)
- Wax paper
- String or necklace wiring (craft store)
Directions:
- Spread out the newspaper over your work area. This will help prevent getting any food coloring on your table.
- Pour 1 teaspoon of food coloring into the plastic baggie.
- Add a 1/2 cup of elbow macaroni to the bag. Zip it shut. Cover each piece of macaroni with the food coloring by shaking the baggie. Repeat for different colors, using a new baggie for each color.
- Empty the baggie onto the newspaper. Spread it out with a spoon. Let dry.
- String the macaroni on the string or wire. They will make a very cool squiggly pattern.
Rolled Paper Beads
Materials:
- Triangle pattern (print template below)
- Colorful copy paper (tye dye designs or swirls)
- Cardstock paper
- Scissors
- Glue
- Round toothpicks
Directions:
- Print the template below on cardstock paper and cut out the triangles. These will be your template for making your beads.
- Trace the templates onto the colorful copy paper. Cut the triangles out. You will need at least 25 triangles, if you want to make a necklace.
- Wind the wide end of the triangle around a toothpick. Guide the paper with one hand as you roll, so that the point of the triangle ends up in the middle of the bead.
- As you roll, place a drop of glue on each turn. Let dry.
- Carefully remove the toothpick from the center of the triangle and you have your bead.
Clay Beads
Materials:
- Air-dry clay (craft store)
- Wet cloth
- Toothpicks or knitting needles
- Wax paper
- Paint brush
- Acrylic paint
Directions:
- Round a medium-sized piece of clay in your hands to make a ball. Wet your hands, if the clay begins to dry.
- To make different sized beads, poke holes through the clay with toothpicks and knitting needles.
- Place your beads on wax paper to harden overnight.
- Next, paint your beads with acrylic paints. Do this by placing them on toothpicks or knitting needles and set them across a glass or cup. Let dry.
Other items that make good beads include:
- Wooden spools
- Buttons
- Metal washers
The copyright of the article Bead Crafts for Young Children in Kids Fabric/Bead Crafts is owned by Denise Oliveri. Permission to republish Bead Crafts for Young Children in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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