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Backyard Summer Camp

Backyard Summer Camp

Have the best summer ever in your own backyard!

Home » Craft » 15 Bead Crafts for Kids

15 Bead Crafts for Kids

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Spend the summer slowing down to make a few of these bead crafts. Friendship bracelets, butterflies, sensory toys, and more!

Collage of bead crafts including butterfly feeder, paper beads, dragonfly craft, bead and button chain, and friendship bracelets.

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs we earn from qualifying purchases. Read more.


Beads are a fun craft supply to keep on hand. You can usually buy them in bulk, then use them for a variety of crafts. String them onto cord to make bracelets and necklaces. Add them to other crafts for a colorful embellishment.

Below we’ve collected a over dozen fun bead crafts to make with kids.

A quick note: Beads can be a choking hazard. Ensure the activity is a good fit for your child and keep an eye on little ones.

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Bead Crafts

All kinds of crafts for kids using beads! Pony beads, seed beads, homemade beads, and more.

1
Bead friendship bracelets with colorful rainbow beads.

Bead Friendship Bracelets

Friendship bracelets are a classic summer camp craft! Learn how to make them, plus get inspiration for fun ideas.

2
Image for Butterfly Feeder

Butterfly Feeder

Photo Credit: www.glitteronadime.com

You can use any beads to make this colorful butterfly feeder to attract them to your backyard.

3
A flower bead bracelet made from elastic and pastel pony beads.

Easy Flower Bead Bracelet Pattern

Kids will love making these flower bead bracelets using their favorite colors! Perfect for a nature-themed activity or making dress-up jewelry.

4
Image for Patriotic Bubblegum Necklace

Patriotic Bubblegum Necklace

Photo Credit: www.downredbuddrive.com

Make your own bubblegum necklace for a fun and colorful craft your kids will want to wear all the time!

5
Sensory bottle filled with green water, glitter, and plastic beads.

DIY Sensory Bottles with Glitter

Add a few beads to a sensory bottle for a simple, calming activity. Kids can make this, then enjoy watching the beads fall again and again.

6
Image for Popsicle Stick Dragonfly

Popsicle Stick Dragonfly

Photo Credit: www.hunnyimhomediy.com

Turn popsicle sticks into an adorable dragonfly with colorful beaded wings.

7
A rainbow pony bead bracelet on someone's wrist.

Rainbow Bead Bracelet

This rainbow bead bracelet is a great craft for beginners. It's quick to make and uses only a few beads. Make one or a whole bunch in different colors.

8
Image for Eco Bead Bracelet

Eco Bead Bracelet

Photo Credit: intheplayroom.co.uk

Paper beads are easy to make and turn into your own custom jewelry. Perfect for bracelets and necklaces!

9
Dinosaur keychain on a metal keyring with pink, yellow, and blue pony beads.

Dinosaur Keychain

Grab some pretty pastel pony beads and dinosaur charms to make this cute little keychain. Fun for kids and tweens!

10
Image for Bead and Button Pipe Cleaner Bracelets

Bead and Button Pipe Cleaner Bracelets

Photo Credit: www.glitteronadime.com

Grab your favorite beads and buttons to make these adorable pipe cleaner bracelets.

11
Rainbow pony bead bracelets pattern.

Pony Bead Bracelets

You can purchase colorful pony beads in bulk. Learn bead weaving and make this playful rainbow pattern.

12
Image for Animal Perler Bead Templates

Animal Perler Bead Templates

Photo Credit: intheplayroom.co.uk

Download tons of printable templates to make the cutest perler bead animals! Pick your favorites and learn how to make them.

13
Image for Wood Bead Butterfly

Wood Bead Butterfly

Photo Credit: rufflesandrainboots.com

All you need to make these wood bead butterflies are a few dollar store supplies. They make the sweetest decor for summer!

14
A bracelet made from letter beads threaded onto a strip of fabric.

Fabric Scrap Bracelets

Turn fabric scraps into custom bracelets with letter beads. Kids will love spelling out their name or making a keepsake with the year.

15
Image for Bead Stitch Markers

Bead Stitch Markers

Photo Credit: rufflesandrainboots.com

Stitch markers are a must-have for teaching kids to crochet and knit. Make your own with pretty beads.

Save these bead craft ideas for your next rainy day project. They’re easy to customize with different colors or shapes to fit a theme.

Plan your summer with the DIY Summer Camp Planner!

Cover page of the DIY summer camp planner with a tent and camping icons in a 3-ring binder.

Our step-by-step guide will help you organize a day, a week, or a whole summer of fun activities for your kids.

Learn More

More fun ideas from Backyard Summer Camp:

  • Colorful Wood Bead Garland
  • Classic Ladybug Rock Painting Craft
  • DIY Recycled Crayons from Broken Pieces

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About Keri

Keri is the creator of Backyard Summer Camp as well as her family lifestyle blog, One Mama's Daily Drama. She lives in Texas with her family, where she spent her kids' childhood summers planning fun activities to keep them entertained.

Follow @CampBackyard on Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram for inspiration to plan your own DIY summer camp with your family.

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