With a little help, preschoolers can make a key ring.  This keychain makes a perfect gift for a child to give to a loved one.

Craft Supplies:

• One key ring
• One pipe cleaner
• Pony beads

If making these key rings with young children, especially in a group, I suggest completing step 1 for the child ahead of time.

1. Attach a pipe cleaner to a key ring by folding over about 3/4" to 1" on one end of the pipe cleaner.  Place the fold of the pipe cleaner on the key ring and twist the short end of the pipe cleaner around the longer piece of pipe cleaner.  Twist two or three times so it won't fall off but not so tightly that the pipe cleaner can't slide around on the ring.
2. Simply thread as many beads as you would like onto the pipe cleaner.
3. When your key chain is the length you want, cut off the excess pipe cleaner* leaving just enough so you will be able to fold the end up.
4. Fold the end up and squeeze it tightly against the last bead to keep the beads from sliding off.

* When cutting pipe cleaners, remember they are actually fuzzy wire and wire is best cut with wire cutters.  Although scissors will cut the pipe cleaner, it is best to use wire cutters if you have them, as the wire inside the pipe cleaner will dull your scissors.

Suggestions:

• For a holiday theme, use colors from that holiday such as orange & black for Halloween or red & green for Christmas.
• Use this project to teach about counting.  Have a child pick a certain number of beads, such as ten, and count them out loud as they add them to the keychain.
• Teach children about patterns - ask them to make a pattern with their beads.  Example: 1 red, 1 blue, 1 white, 1 red, 1 blue, 1 white etc. until they get it to the desired length.

Printable Instructions

Back to General Crafts