Make this cute little bead starfish craft with your kids! It’s a fun activity to do before or after a trip to the beach.
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs we earn from qualifying purchases. Read more.
The ocean is full of weird and wonderful creatures, including the starfish, aka sea star. There are over a thousand species of starfish, and you might be surprised to learn how diverse they can be.
- Some have 5 arms, but others have as many at 50!
- Starfish might be only an inch, or as big as nearly 3 feet across!
- They live in the ocean all over the world, in both warm and cold places!
Learn more about starfish from National Geographic Kids and the US National Aquarium.
Kids will love making this easy starfish craft. All you need are some craft beads and cord. You don’t need much of either, so if you have leftover from friendship bracelets or another craft, that will work.
We made some of ours with a single color and some with a mix. Starfish are really colorful, so you can use any color combo you like.
Become a Happy Camper!
Sign up to receive our monthly email newsletter
and get a free printable 30 Day Reading Calendar!
How to make a bead starfish
Supplies
- 25 plastic beads – You can also use pony beads.
- 15 inches of bead cord
- scissors
Instructions
1. Circle round.
For the first round, thread 10 beads onto the cord. Slide them to the end with about an inch or so of cord. Tie the end into a double knot, as tight as you can.
2. Triangle round.
For the second round, thread the cord through the next bead in the circle. Then thread 3 beads onto the cord. Skip the next bead in the circle, and thread the cord through the one after. Repeat, adding 3 beads between every other bead. You’ll end up with 5 triangles.
3. Tie the ends.
After you add the last set of 3 beads, thread the cord through the starting bead again. Make sure all the triangles are tight, then tie a double knot. Trim the ends of the cord.
This little bead starfish makes a cute pocket pet to carry around. You could also thread it onto a longer cord for a necklace. These are pretty quick to make, so after you’ve finished the first one, make your starfish a whole family of colorful sea stars!
Printable instructions
Bead Starfish Craft
Materials
- 25 plastic beads
- 15 inches of bead cord
- scissors
Instructions
- Circle round.
For the first round, thread 10 beads onto the cord. Slide them to the end with about an inch or so of cord. Tie the end into a double knot, as tight as you can. - Triangle round.
For the second round, thread the cord through the next bead in the circle. Then thread 3 beads onto the cord. Skip the next bead in the circle, and thread the cord through the one after. Repeat, adding 3 beads between every other bead. You'll end up with 5 triangles. - Tie the ends.
After you add the last set of 3 beads, thread the cord through the starting bead again. Make sure all the triangles are tight, then tie a double knot. Trim the ends of the cord.
Plan your summer with the DIY Summer Camp Planner!
Our step-by-step guide will help you organize a day, a week, or a whole summer of fun activities for your kids.
