How to Make Church Bells With Children

Most church bells have a common shape.

Sundays aren't the only time church bells ring. During the holidays and at weddings or special ceremonies, the great bells can be heard resounding over towns, villages and cities worldwide. Children seem to have a great appreciation for bells and jingling things. They can make their own church bells, too. You can show them how by beginning with premade foundational items, or just use some common crafting items and decorations. Soon, their smiles and their own happy sounds will ring out, too.

Things You'll Need

• Aluminum foil
• Paper cups
• Individual "jingle" bells
• Glue
• Stapler
• Hatpins
• Yarn
• Ribbons
• Stick-on bows
• Glitter
• Scissors
• Paints
• Colored pens and pencils
• Clay
• Rolling pin (optional)
• Bell shaped cookie cutters
• Premade craft bells
• Foam bell cut outs
• Wooden bell cut outs

Instructions

Method 1

1. Wrap a foam bell with foil. String two or three jingle bells together on a 6-inch- to 8-inch-long strand of red yarn. Use longer yarn as needed or for the hollow bells.

2. 

   Make a foam bell real by attaching some jingle bells to it.

   Tie the ends of the yarn together. This makes the ringer.

3. Attach the yarn and bell ringer under the bell using glue, hatpins or staples, depending on the age group you are working with. Top the bell with a stick-on bow.

4. 

   Paint and glitter can replicate expensive ornament themes.

Method 2

1. Poke holes into the tops of small, plain paper cups. Decorate the cups with glue, glitter, yarn and slender ribbons. Colored pens, pencils and paints work, too. The kids can choose their own designs.

2. String one jingle bell onto a 12-inch to 14-inch strand of colored yarn. Allow plenty of yarn to create a hanging loop at the top.

3. Tie the ends of the yarn into a knot. Tie another knot about 3 inches from the top, or at the part furthest away from the bell.

4. Push the strung bell through the cup so the top knot rests on top of the cup. The bell will dangle below.

Method 3

1. Roll out or press clay into wide, flat rectangles. Use the bell-shaped cookie cutters to cut out bells. Paint, color or decorate the clay bells.

2. Poke a hole in one end to tie with a ribbon for hanging.

3. An alternative to Method 3 is to make bell cookies. Make standard sugar cookie or roll-out type dough. Decorate them with colored powder-sugar icing and colored cake and cookie decorations. Hanging them may not occur, however, as the kids prefer to eat them right away.

Tips & Warnings

• Decorate small clay flowerpots, and string it with a metal washer to make the "bell."

• Supervise children carefully when they work with pins or scissors.

References

• Artists Helping Children: Bell Crafts for Kids
• Crayola: Chimin' Bell Craft