How to Make Craft Beaded Necklaces for Kids

Learn what colors work well with others on a beaded necklace.

A beaded necklace is a simple beginning craft project that helps children develop fine motor skills and explore their creativity. Help your child make a beaded necklace and she will be proud of what she creates and develop confidence in her own abilities.

Things You'll Need

• 30 beads
• 19-inch string

Instructions

1. Tie a double knot on one end of the string to keep the beads in place. Teach your child to thread one bead onto the string.

2. Encourage your child to develop an artistic pattern with the beads. For example, she may wish to string one blue bead followed by a yellow bead and a red bead, repeating this pattern for the length of the necklace. She can also string the beads randomly if she desires.

3. Thread the rest of the beads on the string. Stop threading when two inches of empty space remains on the string.

4. Tie a double knot and a loop on the end of the string after the last bead to prevent the beads from sliding off the necklace.

Tips & Warnings

• Save money by using household items such as dried, straight macaroni noodles instead of purchasing beads. Place the noodles in a dish with several drops of food coloring and dye them different shades to create your own colorful beads.

• If making a necklace with a toddler, supervise the child carefully to ensure she doesn’t swallow or choke on the beads.

Resources

• “A World of Beads: How to Make Your Own Unique Jewellery”; Barbara Case; 1998