This beaded wreath craft is a sweet and simple gift kids can make their families around the holidays. It’s just what you need when you’re planning your Christmas activities for preschoolers.
Preschoolers learn so much by doing a wide variety of activities . . . including making Christmas ornaments and gifts!
I love that this name wreath craft allows the children to practice multiple early learning skills as they create.
Are you following my Christmas Preschool Activities Pinterest board?
Beaded Wreath Craft
I can remember making wreath ornaments with green beads when I was little. While I now know how many skills are being practiced, back then all I knew was I was having a blast.
Me being me, I knew I wanted to add a bit of a literacy twist to this classic craft. Thus, the possibility of integrating the kids’ names into their wreaths.
Pretty sure the kids had just as much of a blast as I did when I was younger.
Wreath Ornament Materials
You don’t need much to get started with these beaded wreath craft ornaments. Here’s what we used:
You can use multi-color pony beads if the kids want to make super colorful wreaths. That’s really up to you and the children.
DIY Beaded Wreath Ornament
First, have the kiddos choose which pony beads they’d like to use for their wreath. We used green and red pony beads, along with letter beads for those children who wanted to include their names.
The children might need some help sorting through the letter beads to find the right letters for their names. You can always have the children sort the letter beads by letter ahead of making the wreath craft.
Related: Scratch and Sniff Names 5 Senses Activity
Once all the beads have been chosen, let the children plan out where the beads will be placed. Some kids may want their names in the middle of the beaded wreath craft, with colorful beads surrounding the name. Others might want to integrate the letter beads into the other beads. This is also a great time to practice patterning!
Next, let the children start beading their pipe cleaners! (Of course, some kids might not want to plan out their beads first. If that’s the case, let them get beading right away.)
After all the beads have been added to the pipe cleaners, bring the ends together and twist them. Some children can do this themselves, while others may need help.
After the pipe cleaner is made into a circle, add a red ribbon bow to the top! Tie the ribbon on or use a hot glue gun to attach the ribbon.
The children can use their wreaths as ornaments, decorations, or even bracelets. They also make wonderful gifts for the children’s families.
Skills Taught
As I mentioned above, this beaded wreath craft is a fun way for the children to practice early skills. Here’s a peek at what this simple idea works on:
- Letter identification
- Names
- Left to right progression
- Patterns
- Color recognition
- Fine motor skills
Have you ever made a beaded wreath craft with the kids? Did it include their names like this one?
Related: Preschool Christmas Wreath Ideas
Christmas Resources for Preschool Teachers
Save time planning (and, really, you can use all the time you have around the holidays!) with already done-for-you resources from Preschool Teacher 101.
There are lesson plans, math and STEM activities, and literacy resources just for you! Be sure to check out the membership options for even more savings.
Click on the photos below for more information about Christmas resources:
Originally published December 9, 2015.
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