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Pipe cleaner and bead Christmas decorations
Age: 3+ · Time: 25 min · For:
Threading beads is wonderful for concentration and small fingers, and pipe cleaners make it easier than string because they stay stiff. Once they are full, they bend into candy canes, wreaths and stars to hang on the tree.
What your child does, where you help
- Your child: chooses colours, threads the beads and makes patterns.
- You: fold the ends, bend the shapes and tie the ribbons.
Learning through play
Ask your child to make a pattern: red, white, red, white. Or count the beads together. It is maths practice disguised as a Christmas craft.
Safety
Always supervise closely with beads and keep them out of reach of younger brothers and sisters.
You need
- pipe cleaners in red, white, green or other colours
- large wooden or plastic beads with big holes, at least 1 cm across
- a tray or deep plate for the beads
- scissors or wire cutters, for the grown-up
- ribbon or string, for hanging
Steps
- A grown-up folds over the very end of each pipe cleaner by 1 cm so the beads cannot slide off and the sharp tip is covered.
- Candy cane: thread red and white beads in turn onto the pipe cleaner, leaving 2 cm free at the end. Fold that end over too, then bend the top into a hook.
- Wreath: thread green beads with a few red ones in between, then twist both ends together into a ring and add a ribbon bow.
- Star: twist two or three short pipe cleaners together in the middle, spread the arms out and thread a few beads on each arm. Fold the tips over.
- Tie a ribbon to the top to hang it on the tree.
Questions
Is this safe for young children?
Beads are a choking hazard. Use large beads only, stay right next to your child, and put everything away afterwards. Do not do this craft with children under 3.
My child gets frustrated threading. Any tips?
Use the biggest beads you have and hold the pipe cleaner steady for them. Threading gets easier quickly with practice.
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