Patriotic Paper Straw Necklaces and Bracelets

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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:

1. Cut each paper straw into small, medium, and large bead pieces.
2. Slide beads onto the lacing cord.
3. Repeat until desired fullness.
4. 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:

1. Cut each paper straw into small, medium, and large bead pieces.
2. Slide beads onto the lacing cord onto a 12 inch lacing cord.
3. Repeat until cord is about halfway full.
4. Then test it on the wrist making sure it can be slid on and off.
5. When the bracelet is finished, tie the ends of the lacing cord together in a knot and cut off excess.
6. **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:

1. Cut each paper straw into small, medium, and large bead pieces.
2. Create a right angle bend about an inch from the bottom of the chenille stem so the beads don’t fall off.
3. Slide beads onto the chenille stem.
4. Once the chenille stem is halfway full wrap it around a test wrist to see if it’ll fit.
5. When the bracelet is finished, slide the beads so they are centered on the chenille stem.
6. Cross the chenille stem ends and tightly twist twice.
7. If you want to cut the extra ends off you can.
8. Or on one side carefully slide the chenille stem end through the beads and at the twist it around to secure it.
9. 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.