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Duct Tape Beads – A Super Fun and Easy Duct Tape Craft for Kids

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Duct Tape Beads - A fun and easy duct tape craft

Duct Tape crafts are fun and so simple for most kids to get the hang of. They can be as intricate and making an entire outfit from Duct Tape or they can be so simple that a preschooler can do them. The great news is that this craft today, how to make duct tape beads, is easy enough for a preschooler to make but interesting enough for elementary and middle school age kids alike. Basically if you can wrap duct tape around an item, you can make these simple duct tape beads. We made them last week when we needed a item made with duct tape to wear to church for an event. My oldest two made intricate hair bows from duct tape but I needed something a little simpler. Duct tape and Minecraft are two things that I just don’t really understand or excel at. But I couldn’t be shown up by 10 year olds could I? No! So while they spent a lot of time making perfect hair bows using duct tape, the 6 year old and myself made necklaces. Not only did we finish before them but then they both wanted to make one as well. See kids, this is proof that I’m still cool.

duct tape beads - the simplest duct tape craft you'll ever make

To make these simple duct tape beads all you’ll need are plastic straws (3-4 per necklace), duct tape, scissors and twine or strings. That’s all. I told you this was easy.

duct tape beads- simply cover a straw with duct tape

Start by cutting a piece of duct tape about as long as a plastic straw. It can be slightly longer or too short, it’s ok because you can cut off any excess. Lay the duct tape out with the sticky side facing up. Lay the straw along one side of the duct tape. Can you guess what you’re going to do next?

roll duct tape around a straw to make duct tape beads

Simply roll the straw forward, wrapping it in duct tape. Simple. If a child is doing this step it might get weird wrinkles and crinkles from the tape sticking together in places. Just keep rolling. The wrinkles will create a really cool texture in the finished beads.

Wrap straws in duct tape to make simple colorful beads

The straws wrapped in duct tape are easy and only take a few minutes to make but they’re not done yet! There’s one more simple step. Simple, it’s the key to this craft.

Making colorful beads by wrapping a straw with duct tape

Now you’re going to cut the straws into individual beads. I cut mine about 3/4 of an inch but my daughter cut hers a little longer and they were still cute. We didn’t measure, just had fun and guessed for each cut. It doesn’t have to be perfect! Once you have your beads simple string them on a piece of baker’s twine or thin yarn to make a fun necklace or bracelet. Who doesn’t love a craft that is simple, fun and lets you play with duct tape? Share this with friends or pin it for later!