15 Creative Bead Crafts for Kids

Developing the minds of children requires a creative outlet that fosters both learning and fun. Fun bead crafts for preschoolers and kids provide an excellent opportunity to engage in hands-on activities that promote imaginative thinking, teamwork, and a sense of accomplishment once a project is completed. These crafts are not only enjoyable but also educational, helping children develop fine motor skills, improve hand-eye coordination, and learn about colors, patterns, and shapes. Additionally, bead crafts encourage patience, focus, and problem-solving as kids work through the steps to create their unique designs. Whether it’s making a colorful bracelet, a decorative wind chime, or a personalized keychain, bead crafts offer endless possibilities for creativity and self-expression. They are a wonderful way to combine play and learning, making them a perfect activity for young minds.

Easy Craft With Beads for Kids

From beautiful decorative items for your garden or home decor, tableware accessories, jewelry, curtains, and tiebacks, beads craft ideas can spruce up the mundane object to something truly magnificent. So, whether you are a DIY enthusiast, parent, or teacher, these amazingly creative beads craft ideas given below are sure to excite you and your kids to make the most of your past time and feel proud about.

1. Fish Pony Bead Craft

These super-simple pony bead craft ideas will keep your kids busy through the summer while calming them down for some quite creative activities. You can even coordinate the craft, snack, and lesson of loaves and the fishes from the Bible (John 6:1-6:13) around a central theme to orchestrate this craft.

Image Credit: Pinterest

Supplies

• Fuzzy sticks
• Pony beads – 24

Instructions

1. Place the pony beads on the fuzzy sticks.
2. Fold the stick in half to make the shape of a fish and twist its ends together right above the beads.
3. Bend the ends well to secure the fishtail.

2. Hungry Caterpillar Bead Craft

Whether your child has a pet caterpillar or not, doing this craft activity is a great way to teach them about the lifecycle of a butterfly. It also involves threading that be good for hand dexterity as they get creative with their choice of bead colors. As it doesn’t need the use of glue, clearing up at the end also is easy and quick.

Image Credit: Pinterest

Supplies

• Scissors
• Pencil or pen – 1
• Pipe cleaner – 1
• Round wooden beads – few
• A scrap of green paper

Instructions

1. Fold the last 1/2 inch of the pipe cleaner over a couple of times to prevent the beads from slipping off.
2. Place beads in alternate colors and push them to the other end until you have about 2 inches left.
3. Create two antennas with the remaining length of pipe cleaner by folding it into an M shape and tucking it back into the last bead.
4. Draw the eyes and mouth with a pen or pencil.
5. Cut a scrap of green paper into a leaf shape. Fold it in half and cut semi-circles along the length of the fold.
6. Open the leaf out and thread the caterpillar through the holes. Bend it wherever required so that it can be positioned perfectly.

3. Spiral Suncatcher Bead Craft

Whether it is raining, sunny, cold, or absolutely no sun at all, these fascinating sun-catchers can be made anytime and preserved to cheer your child up. They usually bounce around to catch the sunlight when hung up against the window.

Image Credit: Pinterest

Supplies

• Head pin – 1
• Pliers
• Memory wire
• Beads
• Large glass or faceted bead

Instructions

1. Secure the faceted bead by threading it onto the headpin.
2. Form a loop at one end of the memory wire using the pliers
3. Insert the thread through the large bead and close the loop.
4. Thread up the rest of the beads onto the memory wire
5. Tie a loop at the end
6. Thread string or wire through the end loop to fasten it well and hang it up.

4. Bookmark Bead Craft

If your child is a bookworm or just wants a handmade bookmark for their special book, this project will help make one of your own. It allows them to get quick access to the page they were reading instead of wasting time browsing to it or searching for it.

Image Credit: Pinterest

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Supplies

• Two main pieces: either beads or charms.
• Beading chord
• Small or crimping beads of different shapes and textures
• Scissors

Instructions

1. Select the type of books your child would be reading and measure the beading chord based on that size.
2. Cut it as per that length after leaving 4-6 inches of extra cord on each end.
3. Add the beads and keep space to knot a second time in the end.
4. Double knot one end of the cord and start to feed as many beads as you like. (You can also put large beads on the end and the smaller ones all the way down the length of the cord.)
5. Knot the end of the cords from both ends.
6. Use your fingers to pinch the spot where you want the first knot to be and tie it as per that position (About 4 inches from the end of the cord). This will secure your beads from falling down the length of the cord.

5. Personalized Key Chain Craft

Putting a keychain on your kid’s zipper in case someone had an identical backpack in his class offers an easy solution to things getting lost. Beautiful, practical keyrings with a name or word of your choice can be used as bag charms to jazz up their look.

Image Credit: Pinterest

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Supplies

• Assorted beads
• Ribbon, string, or cording
• Alphabet beads
• Keychain rings

Instructions

1. Cut a piece of string twice its length. Thread it through the keyring and fold it over so that you have two strings of equal length.
2. Add beads of your choice through both strings.
3. Tie a knot at the end.

6. Melted Beads Accessories Craft

Little girls love the idea of making their own melted bead accessories and handmade jewelry. They also make the cutest party favors and handmade gifts that their friends would show off with pride. Take a look at this pony bead craft for preschoolers.

Image Credit: Pinterest

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Supplies

• Parchment paper
• Colour pony beads
• Toaster oven
• Epoxy glue
• Rings / tick-tack clips

Instructions

1. Preheat the toaster oven to 425 degrees F.
2. Place baking parchment paper on top of a cookie sheet.
3. Make the shapes by placing the beads on the paper.
4. You can mix the colors and play with different combinations.
5. The flowers will take ten minutes to melt, while earrings will take between eight to ten minutes. (beads can be melted on the gas grill too).
6. After they have cooled down, pull them out and stick them onto the rings or tick-tack clips for decoration.

7. Plastic Bead Bowl Craft

Easy and fun to make, this cheerful bowl is sure to be used as a decorative item for your child’s playroom or for keeping their art supplies, small trinkets, and treasures.

Image Credit: Pinterest

Supplies

• Plastic hole beads
• Oven safe bowls
• Cooking oil
• Cooking spray

Instructions

1. Pour oil generously to coat the bowl. Rub the oil with a napkin or spray with a cooking spray to cover all its sides (It helps the beads stick to the bowl and also release the finished bowl).
2. Sprinkle the beads into the bowl (You can put all of the beads standing up or all on their sides. Make sure to gather the beads together so that there are no open spaces).
3. Preheat oven to 200 degrees. Put the bowl inside.
4. Heat until the beads melt (There’s no fixed time).
5. Check often as each bowl will be different.
6. Once the beads get heated up and melt, the entire bowl will follow quickly.
7. Take the bowl out of the oven and let it cool.
8. Once cooled, dip it into a large bowl of water or sink.
9. Your colorful bowl will slip right out.
10. Rinse the oil off with soap water.

8. Turtle Bead Craft

Around the age of two, children start to show interest in learning alphabets that are foundational for reading and writing. While some kids learn letters very quickly, others need more repetition and time. You can teach the alphabet T to your little one is through this craft.

Supplies

• A small jar cover / plastic bottle cap
• Green paint and brushes
• Large round green wooden bead for the head – 1
• School glue/ industrial strength glue such as E-6000
• Medium green wooden beads (or paint any wood bead green) – 4
• Magnets
• Googly eyes – 2
• Green sequins to decorate the shell.

Instructions

1. Paint green color on the outside of the jar cover.
2. Stick two googly eyes onto the large bead.
3. Put the five beads into place with glue for the head and feet.
4. Add the glitter and sequins for decoration.
5. Allow the glue to dry completely.
6. Stick a strip of magnet to the back and stick it right onto the fridge.

9. Cardboard Tube Beaded Butterfly Craft

Most kids like to chase butterflies in the school ground, yard, or flower garden. Their colorful designs inspire many craft ideas that can get kids to appreciate nature and the world around them. In fact, preschoolers can be taught about recycling by doing this particular craft activity.

Supplies

• Pipe cleaner (black)
• Hot glue gun
• Craft paint
• Recycled cardboard tube (1 makes 4 butterflies)
• Black pipe cleaner
• Colorful pony beads
• Scissors

Instructions

1. First flatten the cardboard tube and cut it in half.
2. Paint cardboard tube on both sides and allow it to dry.
3. Curve a pipe cleaner in half and thread on six pony beads. Trim the end of the pipe cleaner for antennae.
4. Cut cardboard tubes into 1/2″ strips.
5. Bend the strips about two-thirds length downwards to create a small and large loop. Lay tubes next to each other and glue them together.
6. Stick the beaded body to the top of the cardboard tube wings.

10. Snow White Crown Bead Craft

This fancy princess craft recreates Snow White’s crown from the movie. Just follow the simple instructions and achieve the perfect look for the next birthday or any fancy dress party.

Image Credit: Pinterest

Supplies

• Silver pipe cleaners for one crown – 5
• Clear pony beads per crown – 25-30 (Including beads with a large hole for threading)
• Scissors

Instructions

1. Twist two silver pipe cleaners together for the base of the crown. Bend the twisted pipe cleaners into a circle shape.
2. Cut the remaining 3 pipe cleaners—one into half, one in thirds, and one in a 2/3 length.
3. Line them up to measure their length.
4. Fold each of the pieces, that were cut, in half and twist them together to make them a little sturdier. Then curve them around the base of the crown for a secure fit.
5. Add the clear beads to the crown. The large-holed pony beads can be easily threaded onto a doubled-up pipe cleaner.

11. Beaded Wind Chime Craft

This delightful wind chime craft is perfect for kids who love to create something that can be displayed outdoors. The sound of beads clinking together in the breeze will bring joy to any garden or patio.

Image Credit: Pinterest

Supplies

• Wooden hoop or metal ring
• Assorted beads (plastic, wooden, or glass)
• Fishing line or nylon thread
• Scissors
• Small bell (optional)

Instructions

1. Cut several pieces of fishing line or nylon thread to your desired length (around 12-18 inches).
2. Thread beads onto each piece of string, leaving about 2 inches at the top.
3. Tie the top of each string securely to the wooden or metal hoop, spacing them evenly apart.
4. Add a small bell to one of the strings for a charming sound.
5. Tie three additional strings to the hoop to create a hanger, and knot them together at the top.
6. Hang your beaded wind chime in a sunny spot and enjoy the gentle sounds!

12. Beaded Friendship Bracelet Craft

Friendship bracelets are a timeless craft that kids can make to share with their friends. This version uses colorful beads to create unique and personalized designs.

Image Credit: Pinterest

Supplies

• Elastic cord or stretchy string
• Assorted beads (pony beads, alphabet beads, or shaped beads)
• Scissors

Instructions

1. Cut a piece of elastic cord long enough to fit around the wrist, plus an extra 2 inches for tying.
2. Thread beads onto the cord in any pattern or design.
3. Once the beads are in place, tie the ends of the cord together securely with a double knot.
4. Trim any excess cord, and your friendship bracelet is ready to wear or gift!

13. Beaded Photo Frame Craft

This craft allows kids to decorate a plain photo frame with beads, making it a perfect gift for family or friends.

Image Credit: Pinterest

Supplies

• Plain wooden or plastic photo frame
• Assorted beads
• Craft glue or hot glue gun
• Paint and brush (optional)

Instructions

1. Paint the photo frame in a base color if desired, and let it dry completely.
2. Apply glue to small sections of the frame and press beads onto it, creating patterns or designs.
3. Continue gluing beads until the frame is fully decorated.
4. Let the glue dry completely before inserting a photo.

14. Beaded Animal Keychain Craft

Kids can create adorable animal-shaped keychains using beads and pipe cleaners. These make great gifts or backpack charms.

Image Credit: Pinterest

Supplies

• Pipe cleaners
• Assorted beads
• Keychain ring
• Scissors

Instructions

1. Twist a pipe cleaner into the shape of an animal (e.g., a dog, cat, or butterfly).
2. Thread beads onto the pipe cleaner to fill in the animal’s body.
3. Attach a keychain ring to the top of the animal shape.
4. Trim any excess pipe cleaner, and your beaded animal keychain is ready to use!

15. Beaded Dreamcatcher Craft

This simple dreamcatcher craft combines beads with a hoop and string to create a beautiful and meaningful decoration.

Image Credit: Pinterest

Supplies

• Embroidery hoop or metal ring
• Yarn or string
• Assorted beads
• Feathers (optional)
• Scissors

Instructions

1. Wrap yarn or string around the hoop to cover it completely, securing the ends with a knot.
2. Cut several pieces of string and tie them to the bottom of the hoop, leaving them hanging.
3. Thread beads onto the hanging strings and tie knots to secure them in place.
4. Add feathers to the ends of the strings for extra decoration.
5. Tie a loop of string to the top of the hoop for hanging.
6. Hang your beaded dreamcatcher in a bedroom or playroom!

FAQs

1. Can bead crafts be used to teach kids about recycling and sustainability?

Yes, bead crafts can be a creative way to introduce kids to recycling and sustainability. For example, you can repurpose old jewelry, broken beads, or even plastic bottles to create new crafts. This teaches children the value of reusing materials and reducing waste while sparking their creativity with unconventional supplies.

2. How can bead crafts help kids with sensory processing challenges?

Bead crafts can be a therapeutic activity for children with sensory processing challenges. The tactile experience of handling different bead textures—smooth, rough, or bumpy—can provide sensory input. Additionally, the repetitive motion of threading beads can have a calming effect, helping kids focus and regulate their emotions.

These were some ideas for crafts with beads for kids. Craft activities can get messy, especially with toddlers doing them. Nevertheless, they are brilliant for their physical and mental well-being. In fact, you’ll be surprised to see how quickly they assimilate and implement these fundamental ideas into practice in daily life as well. From enhancing fine motor skills, bilateral coordination, identifying shapes, colors, and textures, children learn to communicate, listen attentively, focus, play, and experiment in a fun and relaxed environment during the craft project.

Moreover, crafting can bring the class or entire family together, which helps to create treasured memories of childhood. If you are looking for a fun and quick cure for boredom, investing in a container of beads to hold all of your supplies is a good idea. Just remember that kids’ beading activities need parental supervision as beads can cause choking hazards for children under six years.

Also Read:

Origami Crafts for Children
Clothespin Crafts for Children
Newspaper Craft Ideas for Kids
Toilet Paper Roll Crafts for Children
Egg Carton Craft Ideas for Children

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