Welcome to Day 3 of The Children’s Creative Summer Challenge!
Today’s activity is a brilliant blend of creativity and sustainability – we’re suggesting you have a go at making your very own paper beads!
This fun, screen-free craft is perfect for all ages and a great way to reuse old magazines, colourful paper scraps, or even wrapping paper and packaging. Want to mix things up? Try experimenting with fabric strips, foil, or sweet wrappers – anything you can roll and glue is fair game!
Not only is this a fab way to explore different textures and materials, but it also supports fine motor skills, threading, and concentration.
So grab your glue sticks – and let’s get rolling!
What You’ll Need:
- Old magazines, wrapping paper or colourful flyers
- A thin paintbrush, skewer or twig
- Glue stick
- A piece of string or elastic
How to Make Recycled Paper Beads:
- Tear a strip of magazine paper.
The size of your strip will determine the shape of your bead – wider strips make wider beads, while longer strips make chunkier ones. Triangular strips make beads that taper at the ends. - Roll the strip tightly around your paintbrush or twig, starting from the wide end if you’ve cut triangles.
- Add a dab of glue to the end of the strip and press down to seal it.
- Slide the bead off carefully and set it aside to dry. Repeat until you’ve made a bunch!
- Thread your beads onto string or elastic to make your own bracelets, necklaces or even bookmarks.
- Knot the ends of your string or tie it in a bow – and ta-da! You’ve created your own recycled jewellery masterpiece.
Why We Love It
This activity is a fab way to introduce kids to eco-conscious crafting, showing them how something destined for the bin can be transformed into beautiful jewellery or decorations.
It’s also perfect for developing fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and pattern-making – all through hands-on fun.
Plus, every bead is totally unique. No two creations are ever the same, and that’s part of the magic!
Don’t forget – if you take part in today’s challenge, we’d love to see what you make! Post a photo of your make in the comments of our Day 1 social post on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and you’ll be entered into our £100 craft hamper giveaway.
Let’s Get Creative!
The Children’s Creative Summer Challenge is all about screen-free fun, no-pressure creativity, and giving kids exciting opportunities to explore their imagination. Whether you’re crafting indoors or out in the garden, today’s activity is a lovely way to connect with nature and make something truly useful.
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