Beading Activity for Preschoolers
This beading activity for preschoolers features tips for teaching young kids how to successfully string on beads without extra tools! When you’re done, let them try this beaded butterfly craft too. This post contains affiliate links.
As someone who has been making jewelry for many years, I know that the age to start is… as soon as the kids won’t eat beads. There’s such pride that kids get in wearing the jewelry they made, and A’s hands and neck are always adorned (read: piled high) with her creations.
I recently ran a beading activity for preschoolers that was very successful and I wanted to share with you some of my best tips for teaching young kids how to bead. The kids were at different stages with their fine motor development and some needed serious guidance.
The process can be frustrating as it takes a lot of coordination to get the string through the bead, and then grasp the string, let go, and slide the bead down. But young kids, even those who don’t have the best fine motor skills, CAN learn with the right technique.
Skills learned by beading with preschoolers
Not only will they be so incredibly proud of their creations – and their success, but beading is just such a fabulous craft.
It exercises those fine motor skills at the pre-writing age, building the coordination needed for writing, and fine-tuning that pincer grasp.
I find that it really teaches kids patience and self-control in a way that is attainable for them because of the tangible reward each time they exercise that patience.
They can also practice basic math skills like counting and patterns. Of course, you can very easily incorporate sequencing and color practice in this beading activity for preschoolers too.
And finally, from a sensory standpoint, I personally find beading to be such a fun, tactile craft. Beads and strings come in so many different textures and finishes – think smooth plastic, rough wood, and soft silicone to name a few.
Tips for teaching preschoolers how to bead without a needle
First things first: only do this with close supervision and kids who won’t misuse the materials (such as mouthing the beads or wrapping the string around their neck.
Teaching them the process for threading the string through the bead
The way I did this was as follows: I showed the kids to hold the string about an inch from the end. They obviously didn’t do that exactly but that was a great starting point.
Hold the string so that it doesn’t flop down – it sticks out. Now in the other hand, show them to hold the bead between their thumb and index finger so that the thumb is on bottom and the index on top – and they are NOT covering the holes. They then thread the string through until the bead bumps their finger. They let go of the bead, catch the other side of the string with the bead hand and use the string hand for the bead, to slide it down.
Watch this video for more clarity on the process:
It might sound overcomplicated but the kids got it with the visual, and after a few tries they caught on to a motion that we might expect to come naturally but doesn’t necessarily.
Troubleshooting their beadings kills
Some of the kids had trouble with the first two, and breaking down what’s required for successful beading will help you show them where to improve – which is why it’s so important.
The most common issues kids face when beading:
- The string flops – they need to know to hold it close enough to the end that the string end is stiff enough to stay mostly horizontal, but not so close that they can’t comfortably string it. You’ll show that to them.
- They’re covering the bead hole – While it might seem natural to us to hold a bead a certain way, these kids are still developing their coordination skills. Demonstrating this to them will allow them to be aware of them, and showing them the proper way gives them a starting point.
- Switching from stringing to sliding down – Again, this is a coordination issue that can be taught. When they first try, they tend to let go of the string first and it slides out. Show them to let go of the bead and quickly grab the string.
This process had a 100% success rate in teaching my preschool girls how to bead making for an incredibly successful beading activity for preschoolers.
Materials you choose for a beading activity for preschoolers are important
The materials you use can make all the difference.
There are a few notes to make with materials:
- String – three qualities you need: it should be stiff enough that when you hold it about an inch or two from the end it doesn’t droop, it should have end that don’t fray easily, and it should hold a knot. With the group, I used beading elastic – the kind made from multiple strands, not the crystal kind. You can use different types of cord and string as long as they have these qualities and aren’t too thick.
- Beads – They should be large enough for young kids to grasp (at least 8mm), with a large enough hole to make stringing forgiving (2 mm can work, 4mm or larger is recommended). This kit is a fabulous starter kit, or just go for pony beads (a bit less of a challenge.)
- Starter – You’ll need something to tie on as a blocker. I don’t recommend using traditional blockers as they can be pulled off by kids. Use half a clasp tied on or a bead, but make sure it’s secure. You can even glue the knot in advance.
How to run a beading activity for preschoolers
Materials
- String – I’ve done this with preschoolers with beading elastic and this cording.
- Optional: plastic clasps
- Large hole bead – pony beads are a great starter bead.
- Scissors
- Patience 🙂
How to make the necklace
1. Make a double knot at the end of your string, large enough to block your clasp. String on half your clasp, open side facing out. OR tie on a bead.
2. Show kids to hold the elastic with their weak hand about an inch from the end so that the “tail” is a horizontal line. Show them to hold a bead between their index finger and thumb using their strong hand so that they are not blocking the hole. Then, they should string the end of the bead through the hole.
Release the bead to catch the end of the string with their strong hand and now they can let the bead slide down the string and guide it with their weak hand.
3. They can string on as many beads as they want – practice is good! If it’s a bracelet and it’s too big, I just sneak a few off before tying it off. Here, A made a necklace.
4. String on the other half of the clasp, open end facing away from the beads. Tie off tight (glue knots if you want for durability) and trim the string so it fits inside the clasp.
The necklace is ready to wear!
Got any additional tips for this beading activity for preschoolers? Any other strategies you use to teach preschoolers how to string beads?
Comment below!
Tips for Teaching Preschoolers to Bead
Materials
- String - I've done this with preschoolers with beading elastic and this cording
- Optional: plastic clasps
- Large hole bead - pony beads are a great starter bead
- Scissors
- Patience 🙂
Instructions
1. Make a double knot at the end of your string, large enough to block your clasp. String on half your clasp, open side facing out. OR tie on a bead.
2. Show kids to hold the elastic with their weak hand about an inch from the end so that the "tail" is a horizontal line. Show them to hold a bead between their index finger and thumb using their strong hand so that they are not blocking the hole. Then, they should string the end of the bead through the hole.
Release the bead to catch the end of the string with their strong hand and now they can let the bead slide down the string and guide it with their weak hand.
3. They can string on as many beads as they want - practice is good! If it's a bracelet and it's too big, I just sneak a few off before tying it off. Here, A made a necklace.
4. String on the other half of the clasp, open end facing away from the beads. Tie off tight (glue knots if you want for durability) and trim the string so it fits inside the clasp.
The necklace is ready to wear!
Notes
Some of the kids had trouble with the first two, and breaking down what's required for successful beading will help you show them where to improve - which is why it's so important.
The most common issues kids face when beading:
The string flops - they need to know to hold it close enough to the end that the string end is stiff enough to stay mostly horizontal, but not so close that they can't comfortably string it. You'll show that to them.
They're covering the bead hole - While it might seem natural to us to hold a bead a certain way, these kids are still developing their coordination skills. Demonstrating this to them will allow them to be aware of them, and showing them the proper way gives them a starting point.
Switching from stringing to sliding down - Again, this is a coordination issue that can be taught. When they first try, they tend to let go of the string first and it slides out. Show them to let go of the bead and quickly grab the string.
This process had a 100% success rate in teaching my preschool girls how to bead.
