How to Make a Necklace Out of Drinking Straws

Make your own necklaces out of beads you make yourself from drinking straws. This is a fun craft to do with your kids as a family project. The following steps will show you how to make a necklace out of drinking straws.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Colorful straws
• Scissors
• Yarn, string or pipe cleaners
• Plastic needle (optional)
• Safety pin

1. Purchase a pack of straight colorful drinking straws (not bendable straws) or wash and recycle ones your kids have used.

2. Cut up the straws into different sizes to make beads or have the children cut up the straws. Make all kinds of sizes, or make them as close to the same length as possible. Try not to make them too long or they will be hard to thread.

3. Measure the yarn or string for desired length to make a necklace. Cut a piece of yarn or string longer than you need to allow for knotting the necklace once it is completed.

4. Thread the piece of yarn or string into a plastic needle and knot it at the end. You can do this without the needle, but the needle makes it easier.

5. Tie the end of the yarn or string around a safety pin, which will be removed later. This keeps the straw pieces from slipping off the end of the yarn or string.

6. Instruct the children in threading the desired colors of straw beads onto their necklaces. Fill as much of the necklace up as you can with the beads.

7. Take the safety pin off the yarn or string and tie the two ends together. Cut off any excess yarn or string.

Tips & Warnings

• Instead of yarn or string, you can use pipe cleaners to put the straws on, which are easier to thread.
• Make your necklace red, white and blue for Fourth of July, red and green for Christmas or red and white for Valentine's Day.