Paper beads

Paper beads are a great project for kids and use supplies you probably already have, plus making them uses up any paper recycling. In fact, the more colourful the paper – magazines are best – the more colourful the result! Make bracelets, necklaces and garlands once the beads dry.

What you need:

• paper (coloured paper, magazine pages, newspaper, white paper, streamers)
• scissors
• glue
• pencil or chopstick
• paint and glitter glue
• string, yarn or cord

Number of players:
1+

Activity:

Cut or tear long thin strips of paper.

Experiment with rectangular strips, triangular strips, and strips with rough edges.

Create a loop around a pencil or chopstick at one end of the strip and glue down.

Run glue along the strip then roll the strip of paper around the pencil until you have a paper 'bead' wrapped around the pencil.

When you reach the end of the strip, make sure it's glued down well.

Once the glue is dry, carefully remove the bead from the pencil, making sure it doesn't unravel.

Decorate with paint or glittery glue if you want, or leave it as it is.

Thread the beads onto a length of yarn to make necklaces and bracelets, or a longer length to make a garland.

Notes:

• The colour of the paper you use will determine the colour of your beads.
• The thicker the paper you use, the stronger the beads will be. 
• Using a chopstick may be easier than a pencil; if you wind the bead too tightly around the chopstick it will still be easy to remove because you can slip it off of the thinner end.