• SHOP PRODUCTS
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Contact

Laughing Kids Learn

Where learning is made fun

  • Disclosure and Privacy Policy

DIY threaded straw necklace

July 21, 2014 by Kate 12 Comments

DIY fine motor activity of threading straw beads

Possum (2.5 years) is very much into making things at the moment, especially things that can be worn. The weather has been very cold lately and so we have found ourselves indoors and getting creative what whatever we have on hand. For a bit of fun I thought we could make a threaded straw necklace.

There is so much I loved about doing this activity with Possum. It was a great activity that could be done with quite a degree of independence, however, we really loved making these threaded straw necklaces together. Making these gorgeous pieces also gave us lots of opportunity to talk about colours, patterning and who we would enjoy giving them to as a random act of kindness. This activity also saw Possum extend her skills in developing her fine motor skills.

Recommended age: 2.5 + years

materials needed for threading activityDIY threaded straw necklace

You will need –

  • Plastic straws (variety of colours recommended)
  • Scissors
  • Shoelaces, elastic or similar
  • Pipecleaners (if making bracelets)

cutting straws for threading

Safety first, I went about preparing this activity and snipping the coloured straws into 2cm pieces, which from this point I renamed to call them ‘beads’. You could absolutely vary the size of the straw beads and the colours available for your child to use.

pipecleaner for threading

Beginning with bracelets

I thought it might be a nice starting point for Possum if I downscaled the activity and had her make bracelets using the straw beads and pipe cleaners. Pipe cleaners are easier to handle than other string-like materials and a great way to warm up those fine motor muscles.

I simply created a small loop at one end of the pipe cleaner to ensure the straw beads didn’t slide off as she was threading.

Theaded straw beads activity

fine motor threading activity using straws

Possum had no difficulty in threading the straw beads onto the pipe cleaners. Naturally the conversation turned to whatever colour choices she had made and she also began reflecting on how she was going with the activity. Older children might find it possible to make well thought out patterns and thread other items, such as small patty pans or wooden beads for variety.

learning colours with draw beads and for fine motor development.

threading straw beads to make bracelets for kids

We found ourselves making a number of gorgeous straw threaded bracelets. To secure the ends I simple twisted them together and slid a bead over the join. So easy and simple to put on little wrists and remove again. See another example of straw necklaces here.

threading straw beads using shoelace

DIY threaded necklace

To make a beaded straw necklace I used some unused shoelaces. It gave me the length I needed and could be easily cut and tied at the end. I also loved that the shoelaces had a plastic end (called an ‘aglet’ of course), which makes threading so much easier for kids.
Safety warning: Children must be supervised wearing these pieces as they do not have safety release catches.

threading necklace with straw beads. Great for fine motor.

DIY threading activity for toddlers, preschoolers or school aged children.
As we were making these I couldn’t help but think that this simple fine motor activity would be perfect for children to make at parties or playgroup sessions. It really kept Possum engaged and she really was able to express her creativity and have fun.

Would your child enjoy making their own jewellery?

Fine motor activity in making velcro chains    Pasta Threading for fine motor    Sorting sizes - toddler activity 

Ebooks available featuring Laughing Kids Learn
Zero to Two: Book of Play    Three to Five Playful Preschool ad

Filed Under: 1 - 3 years, 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, Art & Craft, Fine Motor, Gift Idea, Indoor play, Making, Party Tagged With: colours, fine motor, handmade, patterns, preschooler, random act of kindness, threading, toddler

Comments

  1. Sara says

    July 22, 2014 at 3:13 pm

    So simple and fun! Looks like she loved it too 🙂

    Reply
  2. Coco in the Kitchen says

    July 23, 2014 at 5:22 am

    what a stylish li’l lady!
    I love that she helps you w crafts. I might try this w my li’l one. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Kate says

      July 23, 2014 at 11:41 am

      Thanks Coco! We had lots of fun with this one so I encourage you to give it a go. Yes, my Possum loves these creative types of things. LOL 🙂

      Reply
  3. Bek @Just For Daisy says

    July 23, 2014 at 8:40 pm

    Those straws are such lovely bright colours! My girls LOVE beading and we haven’t used straws in such a long time I think this may just be something they’d like to do!

    Reply
  4. Mansi Rana says

    February 3, 2020 at 4:02 pm

    Those straws are such lovely bright colours! My girls LOVE beading and we haven’t used straws in such a long time I think this may just be something they’d like to do!

    Reply
    • Kate says

      February 11, 2020 at 1:29 pm

      Thank you!

      Reply
  5. Active-Learning School In Gota says

    July 15, 2022 at 12:37 am

    Nice Necklace

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. 18 DIYs con cordones de zapatos | Cosas Molonas | Blog de Inspiración & DIY | says:
    November 14, 2014 at 7:33 pm

    […] 7. Objetos decorativos 8. Posavasos 9. Cordones customizados 10. Telares (para niños) 11. Actividad para aprender a atarse los zapatos 12. Collar hecho con pajitas […]

    Reply
  2. Thirty-Five Things to Save for Play - Picklebums says:
    February 3, 2016 at 8:48 pm

    […] – Use them for threading, make amazing constructions, or blow powered […]

    Reply
  3. DIY Learning Activities For Toddlers Using Common Drinking Straws! | Kids Stop Press says:
    May 18, 2017 at 2:31 pm

    […] Straw Beading Activity […]

    Reply
  4. 51 Beautiful DIY Necklace Ideas That You Can Actually Make – Craft Board says:
    February 26, 2019 at 5:13 am

    […] Source: laughingkidslearn.com […]

    Reply
  5. 31 Quick Crafts for Kids that Take 10 Minutes or Less says:
    July 12, 2020 at 3:05 pm

    […] the pasta necklace with a twist. It’s not edible, but you use straws to thread through your necklace. It’s simple and cheap. Just need some straw and […]

    Reply

Please Leave a Comment: Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Welcome
Hello and welcome!
My name is Kate and I am a mum to two little girls, Possum and Boo. We have lots of fun together learning with play at home and are pleased to share some of what we do with you.
Read my about page to find out more.

facebookpinteresttwitterinstagramgoogle plusyoutube

Search

Find More Great Ideas Here:

sesnory play
art and craft
nummeracy
literacy
Science
recipes
videos

Join the Tribe!

Subscribe



Find Activities by Age

  • 0 – 12 months
  • 1 – 3 years
  • 3 – 5 years
  • 5 – 10 years

Find Activities by Celebration

  • Christmas
  • SHOP PRODUCTS

Privacy Policy

  • Disclosure and Privacy Policy

Find posts by month

Copyright © 2023 · Lifestyle Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in