Hi everyone! It’s Shatzi from Love and Laundry sharing a fun kid’s craft today! But first can I tell you all how super duper excited I am about summer?!? I love summer and I honestly would be okay with it being here all year round. I’ve got some fun plans this summer (and some fun kid’s crafts, too!) So, make sure and check out my blog!
With Father’s Day coming up, these would make a really fun gift. (hint, hint!)
SUPPLIES
These really are easy to make! Here’s what you need:
A muffin tin and some plastic beads. Any plastic beads will work. We used clear ones so that the key chains would be see through.
UPDATE
UPDATE: some people are having trouble with getting the project out of the muffin tin. I used a flexible one and it worked amazingly! All the details are on this post: Melted Bead Ornaments
Melted Bead Keychains
I let the kids arrange the beads any way they wanted in the muffin tins. You can definitely tell the difference between my “attention-to-detail” daughter and my “go-with-the-flow” son. He was done placing his beads in a few seconds while my daughter took much longer!
A couple of tips:
- A single layer of beads seems to melt better (and more smooth!) We did some thicker ones, too. But our favorites were made with a single layer
- If you don’t want to drill holes, just leave a space between some beads and a natural hole will form
- You can melt these in the oven, but during the hot summer months, you can also use your grill!
Once the beads are all place, put the muffin tin in the oven and melt them at 400 degrees for about 30 minutes. Keep a close eye on them. It’s fun to watch the progress!
After the beads are all melted. Let them cool off for a while. We cheated and stuck them in the freezer. Now you can drill a hole for the key chain. Or use the hole you strategically made earlier! Either way works awesome.
This was a really fun project! We actually made these a while ago. They’ve held up really well and the kids seem to carry them almost everywhere! And since they’re a key chain, they are fun to clip on backpacks!
Thanks so much for letting me hang out, Mandy! I always love being here!
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cool idea!
https://freestilcreatingbyvilly.blogspot.gr
Great craft idea, especially for Father’s Day! Just posted on Craft Gossip!!
https://lessonplans.craftgossip.com/?p=8246
So they don’t ruin the muffin pans? Did you have to do anything special to get them out?
Love all ur crafts! There all great!
When I did this, the smell of burning plastic was too much to take. Great idea in theory, though,
Mine as well. I am going to retry this at a lower temperature but I have a feeling that the burning plastic garbage dump tire fire smell is inevitable.
I just love the melted bead keychains and I was wondering if you had tried it in the microwave, somehow. I want to make these at my school but I have no access to an oven (or a grill). thanks.
Diane
I haven’t tried it, but maybe worth a shot? let me know if it works!
Looks like a fun rainy day project. Do you need to spray the pan first so the beads come out?
Janet Fazio recently posted…Experiencing a “Sense-ational” Autumn: Fully Enjoying the Season
My husband just bout me a little toaster oven to bake outside! Works like a charm! Will be making a lot of suncatchers, ornaments and other melted bead crafts!
that’s perfect!