Lay strands of Mardi Gras beads on the floor to make a maze, then guide a toy pet through it to a prize waiting at the end. Kids can rebuild it again and again in new combinations.
Bead necklaces are a strangulation and choking hazard. Supervise closely and keep strands away from babies and toddlers.
Keep beads out of mouths and wash hands after play.
The cookie prize is a play-food cookie made from Model Magic. It is not food.
Steps
Clear a patch of floor and lay the bead strands down to make the paths of a maze.
Put the prize, like a play cookie on a plate, at the end of the maze.
Set the toy pet at the start of the maze.
Guide the toy through the paths to find its way to the prize. Cheer it on!
Move the beads around to build a new maze and try again.
Tips
Let the kids lead. This one came all from Big S, end to end, and it was special because it was her own project.from the author
The maze entertained her for hours while she tried many combinations of mazes.from the author
When the toy can never find its way home, kids may want to step into the maze themselves. Keep an eye on the beads when that happens.from the author
A reader loved that building doesn't have to involve bricks.from readers
Make it your own
Use the beads to make patterns.
Shape the beads into letters.
Build the maze with LEGO or blocks instead of beads.
The story behind it
By TurkeyMom · August 2012
One good morning the girls were playing, the air filled with giggles. She had created a maze of Mardi Gras beads, and poor Mr. Mouse had to find his way home to a cookie.
Stuff she used: Mardi Gras beads from her bins, our Zhu-Zhu pet and the Model Magic cookie she made. The maze entertained her for hours while she tried many combinations.
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What readers say
💬 5 comments✍️ 1 answered by the author
✨ Readers' twist
Use the beads for patterns and letters
TurkeyMom suggests the same Mardi Gras beads can do more than dress up and mazes: lay them out to make patterns and letters.
“I guess we can make patterns and letters too.”
🎉 Worked for us
Next on the list for a 5-year-old
A parent whose 5-year-old loves mazes plans to have her try building one with beads.
“That's a brilliant idea. My 5yo loves mazes so I'll get her to give is a try.”
✨ Readers' twist
Add a toy to run the maze
A reader loved the idea of a toy mouse as the maze runner, on top of the homemade maze itself.
“homemade mazes are great and I love the mouse addition as well.”
🎉 Worked for us
Construction play without bricks
A reader liked that this building activity uses beads instead of bricks or blocks.
“good to see building doesn't have to involve bricks”
Recently tried
Read all 5 comments
Alice @ mums makelists · Jul 2013
What a lovely idea - good to see building doesn't have to involve bricks :-)
We're focused on building & construction ideas at this week's Empty Your Archive and I would love it if you would link up ...
Rebecca · Aug 2012
That's a brilliant idea. My 5yo loves mazes so I'll get her to give is a try.
Thanks for linking to the Sunday showcase
maggy, red ted art · Aug 2012
Love your little "participant". So cute. Looks like you had fun.
Thank you for sharing on Kids Get Crafty!
Maggy
TurkeyMomAuthor · Aug 2012 · replying to Cerys @ Rainy Day Mum
Found an another way to use those beads other than dress up. I guess we can make patterns and letters too. Thank you. You have an amazing website.
Cerys @ Rainy Day Mum · Aug 2012
Ohh what fun - homemade mazes are great and I love the mouse addition as well.
Thank you for linking up to Tuesday Tots
Read all 5 comments
Alice @ mums makelists · Jul 2013
What a lovely idea - good to see building doesn't have to involve bricks :-) We're focused on building & construction ideas at this week's Empty Your Archive and I would love it if you would link up ...
Rebecca · Aug 2012
That's a brilliant idea. My 5yo loves mazes so I'll get her to give is a try. Thanks for linking to the Sunday showcase
maggy, red ted art · Aug 2012
Love your little "participant". So cute. Looks like you had fun. Thank you for sharing on Kids Get Crafty! Maggy
TurkeyMomAuthor · Aug 2012 · replying to Cerys @ Rainy Day Mum
Found an another way to use those beads other than dress up. I guess we can make patterns and letters too. Thank you. You have an amazing website.
Cerys @ Rainy Day Mum · Aug 2012
Ohh what fun - homemade mazes are great and I love the mouse addition as well. Thank you for linking up to Tuesday Tots