Make Pony Bead Bracelets

Descriptions

Toddler Activities: Count and sort pony beads and string together to make a cute bracelets. Add charms or other shaped beads like hearts for holidays like Valentines Day or use letter beads to make names. A great activity to work on developing fine motor skills.

Materials

Pony Beads: Original Assorted colors, Hearts, Letters, Clear, Stars or Charms.
Stretch Magic Jewelry Cord
Fabri-tac or Fast Drying Craft Glue. A low temp glue gun can work well if you keep the metal tip from touching the string. This is a quicker method if you are making a large number of bracelets (adult only)
Muffin Tin, Egg Carton or Small portion cups are perfect for sorting by shape or color.
Scissors
Masking Tape and Sharpie Pen or a Bead to use as an Anchor
Working on a cloth placemat or small towel helps keep beads from rolling of tables.

Steps

Cut a piece of Stretch Magic cord about 14" long
Fold a piece of masking tape at one end to keep beads sliding off. Label with initials if its a group of children. Or if you prefer tie a bead at the end with a knot. (See photo at the right).
It will take about 16-20 beads depending on size of child's wrist.
String the beads onto the cord and tie ends in a double or triple knot. Don't cut the ends yet.
Add a drop of glue on the knot and let dry thoroughly. If you do not add the glue, this type of elasticized beading string will slip and untie.
When the knot is secure, trim the ends leaving a small amount.

Other Ideas

Name Bracelet

Pony Beads come in many varieties and you can get sets of letters in a number of colors and sizes. These are fun to make name bracelets or short phrases.

Holiday Bracelets

Make heart bracelets for Valentines Day, Red, White and Blue for the Fourth of July or make as a "make and take" for a birthday party using the colors or shapes to match the theme of the party.

Heart Pony Bead Keychain

Description

String together pony beads and make a cute keychain. Add charms or other shaped beads for variation. A great activity to work on fine motor skills.

Materials

Pony beads (23 beads makes a 2.5" diameter heart)
Letter pony beads, hearts, stars or charms (optional)
12" pipe cleaner (Use white for clear beads)
Fabri-tac or Craft Glue
Key Chain Loop
Wire cutters (jewelry cutters)

Steps

Bend 1.5" of the pipe cleaner.
String beads onto pipe cleaner.
Slide keyring before closing loop.
Twist pipe cleaner 2 tight twists and secure with Fabri-Tac Glue. (Adult step)
Shape into a heart shape.

Tips and Suggestions

Have beads sorted into muffin tins or small dishes. Another idea is to use an empty egg carton to sort colors or make a pattern for stringing.
Glue gun will also work to secure knot.