
This post, Patriotic Paper Straw Necklaces and Bracelets, may contain affiliate links. This means if you make a purchase through one of these links, Penguins in Pink will receive a commission at no additional cost to you. Penguins in Pink is an Amazon Associate site.
These Patriotic Paper Straw Necklaces and Bracelets are a perfect activity to celebrate Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, or a summer birthday. They are simple and entertaining to make. Kids can work on fine motor skills and math skills while creating a wearable piece of art.
The Patriotic Paper Straw Necklaces and Bracelets are a great way to practice fine motor skills like grasping between finger and thumb, stringing items, and using scissors.
Patriotic Paper Straw Necklaces and Bracelets
Supplies needed:
- Tipped lacing cord or plastic lacing cord
- Patriotic paper straws
- Scissors
- Chenille stems *optional for easy bracelets

To assemble a necklace with lacing cord:
- Cut each paper straw into small, medium, and large bead pieces.
- Slide beads onto the lacing cord.
- Repeat until desired fullness.
- When the necklace is finished, tie the ends of the lacing cord together in a knot.
Necklaces should be around 18 to 24 inches to make them easy to put on and take off.
To assemble a bracelet with lacing cord:
- Cut each paper straw into small, medium, and large bead pieces.
- Slide beads onto the lacing cord onto a 12 inch lacing cord.
- Repeat until cord is about halfway full.
- Then test it on the wrist making sure it can be slid on and off.
- When the bracelet is finished, tie the ends of the lacing cord together in a knot and cut off excess.
- **If using a yarn based lacing cord, burn the ends right after cutting with a lighter to keep it from fraying and coming undone.**
To assemble a bracelet with a chenille stem:
- Cut each paper straw into small, medium, and large bead pieces.
- Create a right angle bend about an inch from the bottom of the chenille stem so the beads don’t fall off.
- Slide beads onto the chenille stem.
- Once the chenille stem is halfway full wrap it around a test wrist to see if it’ll fit.
- When the bracelet is finished, slide the beads so they are centered on the chenille stem.
- Cross the chenille stem ends and tightly twist twice.
- If you want to cut the extra ends off you can.
- Or on one side carefully slide the chenille stem end through the beads and at the twist it around to secure it.
- Repeat on the other side.

Tips:
- You can find tipped lacing cord in an arts and crafts store (Micheal’s) or in the arts and craft section at most box stores.
- For older kids you can use jute/twine and plastic lacing needles.
- You can find patriotic paper straws in arts and craft stores, big box stores like Target, dollar stores like the Dollar Tree and party supply stores. For example, the ones I used came from Target and the Dollar Tree.
- Challenge your kids to create patterns like ABCD, ABBA, AABB, etc. This is a fun way to practice math skills!
Patriotic paper straw necklaces and bracelets would be a fun craft for toddlers and kids at a birthday party, Memorial Day BBQ, 4th of July Picnic, or Labor Day gathering. Simply have a station set up with different patriotic paper beads already cut up, lacing cords, and pre-cut chenille stems. Then let the kids go to town creating their own necklaces and bracelets.
Be sure to stop by my Kids Crafts page where I will be linking all our crafts.
Have a great day!
Brandi
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Looking for more Kids Crafts ideas? Check out my Kids Crafts board on Pinterest.

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