Materials
Pony beads
Sparkly pipe cleaners – cut in half
Pencil or marker
Thread
Directions
Place pony beads in a small container. Invite your child to thread pony beads onto a pipe cleaner. They can be close together or spread apart. Once the desired number of pony beads are on the pipe cleaner, have your child wrap the pipe cleaner around a pencil of marker to give it a spiral effect. Tie a thread to the top of the pipe cleaner and hang on the Christmas tree. Observe how the sparkly pipe cleaner twinkles as the lights shine upon it making it look like an icicle.
Lesson Extension:
- Encourage 2-3 year olds to count the number of beads on the pipe cleaner.
- 4-6 year olds can be encouraged to make a pattern as the beads are placed onto the pipe cleaner.
- Children may also enjoy making wreaths, candy canes, or other creative shapes by bending the pipe cleaners.
Have fun decorating your tree and packages with these colorful ornaments.