Pipe cleaners are an incredibly versatile craft supply for kids, so I was happy to see them featured as the craft supply to explore this month in the kids art explorers project at NurtureStore.
Pipe Cleaner Crafts for Kids
One way my kids love using pipe cleaners is to string pony beads to make necklaces and bracelets.
This is excellent fine motor practice for little ones – the pipe cleaner stays still and straight, making it easier to get the beads on, and the fuzzy coating keeps the beads from slipping off.
Emma used the pony beads to make her doll a crown – and then a few other accessories! Allalena is one pampered doll!
The kids have also enjoyed using pipe cleaners to make flowers, stuffed animal collars, and bird feeders:
What are your favorite pipe cleaner crafts for kids?
MaryAnne is a craft loving educator, musician, photographer, and writer who lives in Silicon Valley with her husband Mike and their four children.
Thank you for joining in the Kids Art Explorers Maryanne :)
Thanks for running such a fun series!
This is perfect for kids! Definitely…
I love the bird feeder idea! We haven’t done too much with pipe cleaners, yet! Though my kids did wrap them all over my toddler’s crib.
We love pipe cleaners!
Love the doll’s accessories. And a bird feeder…what a great idea! Never thought of that one before!
We love pipe cleaners here too! Pipe cleaner spelling is a fav around here!
LOVE the spelling idea!!! Never thought of that one – thanks!
Pipecleaners are popular here too! Anna usually twists them into “braids” and makes foods with those braids. And, of course, beads and pipecleaners “jewellery” is a big hit.
I need to try twisting with my kids again – the last time I tried to show them Emma was 2 or barely 3 and didn’t catch on. I think she would enjoy it, now!
Fun! Abby loves to play with pipe cleaners too. She usually makes toys for the cats with them. They play fetch and love pipe cleaners.
Beautiful! Love Lily’s look of concentration, and Allalena looks like she’s catching some beauty rest before a big night out. :)
BTW, what is the book in the first photo? looks fun…
The book is “Pretend Soup and Other Real Recipes” by Mollie Katzen – a fantastic first cookbook for kids! The recipes are even healthy!!!
Just got some pipe cleaners too! Not sure I have beads – maybe macaroni will work!
Macaroni works great!
My kids love pipe cleaners too. They’re just discovering pony beads with them…… It’s another craft item I have to ration out if I don’t want it all gone in a day.
Ha! Right before I read this I was getting out our beads and pipe cleaners for an activity today. We love ’em, too!
I didn’t answer your question… we are making a bead butterfly today. My son likes to use them to bend into shapes.
A bead butterfly sounds lovely! We’ll have to give that a try!