Learn how to make DIY bead friendship bracelets with just a few supplies for kids to craft and swap with friends!
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Friendship bracelets are always on trend! Learn how to make simple bead friendship bracelets with your kids. They’ll love coming up with their own designs and patterns and then sharing them with friends.
Making bracelets is a classic summer camp activity that’s also fun for birthday parties, lazy weekends at home, or trading at special events like concerts.
After you make a bunch of bead friendship bracelets, learn how to make braided friendship bracelets too!
Bead bracelet craft tips
This tutorial is super simple – thread beads onto elastic and knot the ends. But a few pro tips will make your friendship bracelets the best!
- Pour beads into a tray or a wide lid. – This makes them easier to dig through without spilling.
- Plan your designs. – If you’re following a pattern or spelling words, make sure it looks right before you string them onto the elastic.
- Get the right size. – Tiny seed beads look pretty, but wider pony beads make it easier to hide the elastic knot and end tails.
- Use double elastic. – If 2 strands of elastic will fit through the beads, this gives you a backup if one elastic breaks.
- Add glue to knots. – A dot of superglue on the knot will make it really secure.
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How to make bead friendship bracelets
Supplies
- beads:
- 0.5mm elastic cord
- scissors
- binder clip
- superglue – for adult use only
- fabric tape measure, optional – for measuring wrists
- beading needle, optional – handy if your beads are small and difficult to grip, but make sure it fits through them
Instructions
1. Measure and cut the elastic.
There are 2 ways to measure how long your elastic should be. You can use a fabric tape measure to measure your wrist, then add 2 inches. Alternatively, wrap the elastic around your wrist loosely and stretch it to make sure it will slide over your hand. Be sure to leave enough extra length to tie a knot at the end.
For a single-strand bracelet, this is around 7 inches. For a double-strand bracelet, use 14 inches of elastic.
2. Thread beads onto the elastic.
Attach a binder clip to the end of the elastic and make sure it is secure. Thread the beads onto the elastic. If you’re using alphabet beads, be sure they’re facing the same direction!
3. Knot the end of the elastic.
To finish the bracelet, remove the binder clip and hold each end securely. Tie the ends in an overhand knot twice and pull it tight. Trim long ends and tuck the tails inside the beads if possible. Apply a tiny amount of superglue for extra security.
Printable instructions
Bead friendship bracelets
Instructions
- Measure and cut the elastic. There are 2 ways to measure how long your elastic should be. You can use a fabric tape measure to measure your wrist, then add 2 inches. Alternatively, wrap the elastic around your wrist loosely and stretch it to make sure it will slide over your hand. Be sure to leave enough extra length to tie a knot at the end. For a single-strand bracelet, this is around 7 inches. For a double-strand bracelet, use 14 inches of elastic.
- Thread beads onto the elastic. Attach a binder clip to the end of the elastic and make sure it is secure. Thread the beads onto the elastic. If you're using alphabet beads, be sure they're facing the same direction!
- Knot the end of the elastic. To finish the bracelet, remove the binder clip and hold each end securely. Tie the ends in an overhand knot twice and pull it tight. Trim long ends and tuck the tails inside the beads if possible. Apply a tiny amount of superglue for extra security.
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