Fun Littles

Fun and easy kids activities

Mardi Gras Bead Maze

Aug 17, 20123,687 views
Construction
Ages3–7 yrs
Prep5 min
Activity30 min
Leveleasy
MessLow
Works for1:1 · Small group

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.

⚠️ Safety first

  • 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

  1. Clear a patch of floor and lay the bead strands down to make the paths of a maze.

  2. Put the prize, like a play cookie on a plate, at the end of the maze.

  3. Set the toy pet at the start of the maze.

  4. Guide the toy through the paths to find its way to the prize. Cheer it on!

  5. 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
A-maze-ing
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.
1 / 2

Mardi Gras Bead Maze: the original post

Being hands on kind of mom, I try to foster as much creativity as possible through play. To encourage such, just like many of you, I set up the play scene with invitations/play prompts whatever you want to call it. While the kids lead the play after wards, I still feel that I played a big part. Having said that, I still am going to continue setting up play prompts because there is so much learning and fun involved in such activities ( if such invitations are taking up that day) But there are many days when the kids completely stump us with their own thought out “project” I mean end-to-end. Right? Today’s post is one such. Introducing Mardi Gras Maze There are tons of homemade mazes with legos,blocks etc out there. But this one came all from Big S, so it is special to me. Our new favorite – favorites change often in our house – is mazes. ‘S’ can’t get enough of them. She loves it and it is our favorite on-the-go game. It keeps her busy in the car and I don’t have to hear a whole lot of “ Mom my belt is too tight” or the infamous“ Are we there yet?” or “ Mom Lil S is spitting on me “ ( Smallie she loves to blow raspberries and since she is rear-facing – her aim is pretty good ! ) It was one of those good mornings, the girls were playing in the living room and the air was filled with laughter and giggles (ah the serenity when one of those hard- to-come- by- mornings happen) There was this other sound too, it was our very own zhu-zhu pet. His name is Mr. Mouse. Big S was cheering : “Go on Mr. Mouse. You can do it. Find your way, this way, no,no no.. This way… oh no… Mr. Mouse” Laughter and Giggles and Squeals. I peeked in to see what all this fun was about. I was elated with what I saw. Big S had created a maze and had Mr. Mouse in it and the poor fella had to find his way home. And what better way to lure him to his home - she had a cookie waiting for him. Stuff she used : Mardi Gras Beads from her bins Zhu-Zhu pet The Model Magic Cookie she made home made maze The maze entertained her for hours while she tried many combinations of mazes. She soon grew tired of Mr Mouse because he could never find his way home. Last resort- ” Now its your turn Lil S, get into the maze. ” Alrite, time to step in –” Who wants Popsicles ???!!! Shared on Kids Co-op The Sunday Showcase Notimeforflashcards Tuesday Tots Kids Get Crafty It’s Playtime

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.”
TurkeyMom, Aug 2012

🎉 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.”
Rebecca, Aug 2012

✨ 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.”
Cerys @ Rainy Day Mum, Aug 2012

🎉 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”
Alice @ mums makelists, Jul 2013

Tried it?

Reviewed before it appears. No links, and please no children's names.

Read all 5 comments
  1. 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 ...

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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.

  5. 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

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