The story behind it
By TurkeyMom · November 2016
Ages4–8 yrs
Prep5 min
Activity20 min
Leveleasy
MessLow
Works for1:1 · Small group · Class
Coil sparkly pipe cleaners around a pencil to make chunky beads. Thread the beads onto another pipe cleaner with two jingle bells to make a festive bracelet. It works as a quick handmade Christmas gift.
⚠️ Safety first
- Pipe cleaner ends are sharp wire. As the post says, make sure no sharp edge sticks out of any bead or of the finished bracelet.
- Jingle bells and pipe cleaner beads are small parts and a choking hazard. Keep them away from children who still mouth objects, and supervise throughout.
- An adult should cut the pipe cleaners, because the cut wire ends are sharp.
Before the kids arrive
- Optional: for younger kids, an adult can cut the stringing pipe cleaners slightly longer than each child's wrist ahead of time.
Steps
Wrap a pipe cleaner tightly around a pencil to make a coil.
Slide the coil off the pencil and gently roll it with your fingers so it stays round.
Check that no sharp pipe cleaner end sticks out of the bead.
Repeat to make a pile of beads in red and white/silver.
Adult: cut another pipe cleaner slightly longer than the bracelet needs to be.
Thread the beads onto it, adding two jingle bells in between.
When it fits the wrist, twist both ends of the pipe cleaner together to close it.
Check again for sharp edges, then put it on and jingle!
Tips
- It literally took me 5 minutes to make this. It's a simple gift idea that can be done in no time.from the author
- I made one and surprised my daughter when she came home from preschool. She was so happy she wore it the entire day.from the author
- After you slide each bead off the pencil, roll it slightly with your fingers to keep its round shape.from the author
Make it your own
- Make it as a quick handmade holiday gift.
- Alternate two colors of beads, as in the photos, for a simple pattern.
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