Looking for a fun craft for kids to while away a rainy (or, here in Texas this time of year, an insanely HOT) afternoon? These Perler bead backpack tags are a quick and easy craft for kids that will ensure backpacks are full of pizzazz once school is back in session! All you need in a handful of supplies and an hour or so of time to whip up a few of these to keep and give away to friends. Or, if you’re feeling social, kids can invite some good friends over to craft together! I’ve teamed up with the Michaels Makers team today to show you how easily these Perler bead backpack tags are to make. Read on for all the details!
This post is written by be on in conjunction with the Michaels Makers team. All opinions are entirely my own.
To make these Perler bead backpack tags, you will need…
- Assorted Perler beads and pegboards
- Perler bead patterns
- Jewelry chain
- Jump rings
- Lanyard clips
- Needle-nosed pliers
To begin, create your desired design using the Perler beads and pegboards. (We found tons of great ideas by searching for Free Perler Bead Patterns on Google, with everything from footballs and watermelons to Minions and even emojis!) My daughter and I had so much fun sitting down to create these together. We used an assortment of pegboard shapes and bead colors to create so many great designs.
For particularly intricate designs, my daughter and I found that it is helpful to use long-nosed tweezers to place the beads.
Once your designs are complete, iron the designs together according to the Perler bead package instructions. Note: When working with younger kids, this is a step that parents should complete. Allow the design to cool completely.
When everything is completely cool, use the needle-nosed pliers to separate off a strand of chain that is about 10 lengths long. Also grab one of the jump rings and one of the lanyard clips.
Gently open up the jump ring with the pliers, and feed it through one of the center holes of a bead at the top of the design, as shown.
Thread the chain over the ring, and then close the ring with the pliers.
Finally, squeeze the lanyard clip open, and then slip the clip through the opposite end of the chain.
In no time at all, you have an awesome personalized backpack tag!
What I love about this project is how limitless the options are, and that it is perfect craft for kids of all ages–boys and girls. This would be a great craft activity for VBS, or even to make at birthday party or other gathering.
Without a doubt, one of my favorite creative trends happening right now is how popular it is among kids from elementary school age all the way up to tweens and teens to flex their creative muscles to create projects that really showcase their unique personalities. My daughter absolutely loves to create something new nearly every day, and giving away her creations to friends, neighbors, teachers and other special people gives her such a sense of pride and accomplishment. The maker movement isn’t just for adults anymore, and seeing kids so excited about creating is definitely a trend I hope will stick around for a good, long while!
From tie-dyeing to lettering to tassels, pom poms and even unicorns, Michaels has everything you need for the latest and hottest DIY trends! Be sure to checkout all of the other Michaels Makers Favorite DIY Trends on the Michaels blog.
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Having grown up in a home brimming with sewing notions and paintbrushes, Amy has a deep love for all things creative. On any given day, you’ll find her knee-deep in her latest creative endeavor, with projects ranging from sewing and crafts to home decor and kid-friendly ideas. Amy believes that everyone, regardless of skill level or experience, possesses the ability to create something beautiful, and Positively Splendid was born of her passion for helping others harness their innate creative potential.