Red White and Blue Cardboard Bead Threading Craft and Game for Toddlers

The Red White and Blue Cardboard Bead Threading craft is an educational and fun craft and game made from recycled materials. This cheap craft for toddlers can be used to help toddlers work on their manual dexterity, and as a toddler game for learning colors, and recognizing patterns. This is an ideal craft for any red white and blue holiday as well, including Memorial Day, Flag Day or the Fourth of July.

Age Appropriateness of the Recycled Craft

Toddlers enjoy threading and stringing objects. Traditional string and uncooked pasta crafts may not be safe for some toddlers, especially those who have a tendency to put things in their mouth.

This craft uses non-food items that toddlers will not be tempted to mouth. The homemade cardboard beads are large enough to be safe even for young toddlers. As with any toddler craft, adult supervision and guidance is required

Arts and Crafts Supplies for the Craft and Game for Toddlers

Recycled paper towel rolls - If you only have one paper towel roll available you can start with that. This is a craft and a game that can grow over time, as you add more cardboard beads to the collection. Save your paper towel rolls and add them one by one.

Ideally, there should be three paper towel rolls to start with because it makes painting the rolls much easier.

One paper plate - The paper plate will be used to secure one end of the beaded chain. If you do not have a paper plate, you can cut a circle or any other shape out of a recycled cardboard cereal box. Make the shape twice as big as the paper towel roll opening.

One long shoelace - You can use one long shoelace, a small string, a colorful jump rope, or braided yarn. The string can be as long or as short as you like. Lengthen the string at any time by adding onto it.

Because the paper towel beads have large holes, you don't need to worry about tying knots in the string. Even with knots, the toddler will still be able to use the Red White and Blue Cardboard Bead Threading Craft.

Tip: Because this craft and game involves string, adult supervision is needed. Do not leave a toddler alone with a long string for safety reasons.

Poster paint - Red, white and blue paint and a paint brush are also needed to make the paint the beads.

Make the Red White and Blue Cardboard Beads for the Toddler Game

If you have three tubes, you can paint each one a different color. Paint the tubes before you cut them.

If you only have one tube, you can use a pair of scissors or a knife to cut the tube into circles. Paint one third of the cardboard "beads" red, one third white and the remaining third blue.

Toddlers Craft Time: Painting

Toddlers can help paint the tubes. Toddlers can also paint the paper plate or cardboard with red, white and blue paint.

Let the paint dry on the recycled arts and crafts items.

Making the String for the Toddler Game

Tie a knot in the end of your string of choice.

Use a pen or pencil to make a hole in the center of the painted plate or cardboard. Thread the plate or cardboard onto the string, until it gets to the end where the knot is. This will help keep the red, white and blue cardboard beads in place.

Red White and Blue Cardboard Beads and Thread Game

Let toddlers have free play time with the finished game. Toddlers will actually sit and thread the cardboard beads onto the string.

Game 1: Toddlers Find That Color!

Have the toddler thread the beads based on colors. Help the toddler find a red bead. Then let the toddler string that bead. Do this for other colors as well. This will help the toddler learn colors.

Game 2: Toddlers Make That Pattern!

Have the toddler string the colored beads in a pattern. Make the first pattern yourself and then have the toddler try to imitate it.

Game 3: Make More Beads and Toddler Games

Make new cardboard bead crafts of different colors at any time and make up new color patterns and color recognition games for the toddler.