How to Make a Tree Shaped Friendship Bracelet

Make tree-shaped friendship bracelets a birthday party activity.

Making a tree-shaped bracelet is a creative way for a child to express his passion for the outdoors. Encourage a child to craft friendship bracelets for a group of buddies who enjoy playing in a tree house together. Keep costs next to nothing by incorporating household products -- elbow macaroni and plastic ribbon, for example. Give the bracelets out as an initiation to the club or as an indication of beloved companionship.

Things You'll Need

• Dried elbow macaroni
• Brown acrylic paint
• Paintbrush
• 8-inch narrow elastic band
• 3 green plastic ribbons, 6 inches each
• Tape
• Pencil
• White glue
• 2-inch brown pipe cleaner

Instructions

1. Coat multiple pieces of dried elbow macaroni -- at least 10 pieces -- with brown acrylic paint using a paint brush. Allow the macaroni two hours to fully dry. The brown macaroni will act as the tree trunk.

2. Slide the painted macaroni pieces onto an 8-inch narrow elastic band. Tie the ends of the band together in a double knot. Tuck the knot into one of the macaroni pieces.

3. Evenly space and tape the ends of three 6-inch pieces of green plastic ribbon to the body of a pencil. Wrap the ribbons tightly around the pencil. Set the pencil on a table where the ribbons will remain tightly wrapped. Leave the ribbons wrapped for 24 hours.

4. Remove the ribbons from the pencil. Bunch the curled ribbons together to replicate a body of green leaves. Bond the "leaves" to the bracelet with white glue to the portion of the bracelet resting atop your wrist.

5. Wrap a 2-inch brown pipe cleaner around the bracelet beginning just below the leaves. Extend each end of the pipe cleaner in opposite directions to emulate tree branches. Repeat steps one through five to make additional bracelets.

References

• Making Friends: Rugrats Charm Bracelet