If you are deep in the “I’m bored”s of summer, this is a simple and low-cost project that can keep little hands and minds busy. My kids and I turned paper straws into festive necklaces for the Fourth of July.
Watch this short video to see how we made our necklaces, or scroll down for the step-out photos. Subscribe to my YouTube channel for more craft projects like this one!
The kids and I set up in our driveway with all the materials we would need: paper straws in patriotic colors, red, white, and blue buttons and beads, scissors, and lacing. I found the paper straws in the Target $1 bins, but you can find paper straws in most craft and party supply stores. Pick out colors that suit your celebration, you aren’t limited to red, white, and blue!
I set the kids to work cutting the paper straws into “beads” about one inch long. This is great for fine motor skills, scissor practice, and sorting skills.
We cut up roughly twenty straws and we had paper straw beads for four necklaces with many left over.
I used baker’s twine for the necklaces I made, but I ended up using craft lacing for the kids. The lacing was too large of a gauge for our smaller beads, but it is sturdy and easier for little fingers to manipulate. I think elastic lacing would have been the best option, but I didn’t have any on hand.
The kids had fun creating the necklaces, making patterns and adding embellishments. We will keep these necklaces around for the 4th of July festivities that are coming up!
Speaking of fun summer festivities, I have teamed up with a group of creative bloggers to bring you a slew of summer themed projects. Click on the thumbnails below to be taken to each tutorial.
