Whether it’s a rainy day, Sunday morning or an after school playdate, creating jewelry is always an immersive experience for your kids. Below are five inexpensive and easy pieces your kids can make. Let’s get crafty!

1. Model Magic Pearl Shell Necklaces 

For this craft, you’ll need pearls, air dry clay, shells and string. First, roll clay into the shape kids desire. Next, instruct them to push a shell from an assorted set into the clay, cut a small hole in the clay and let it dry for 24 hours. Once the clay has dried, glue a pearl inside the shell, feed string through the hole, and voila, your child has constructed their very own shell necklace!

2.   Bottle Cap Necklaces 

There’s nothing better than creating craft projects using materials from your house – Bottle Cap necklaces are a collaborative activity without a cost! Grab a bottle cap, string, old magazines, mod podge and brushes, a pair of scissors and a hole puncher. Spread a thin layer of glue on the inside of the bottle cap. Next, instruct your kids to cut images from a magazine. Then, place the cutout piece in the bottle cap and paint a thin layer of mod podge over the image. Once dry, punch a hole through the bottle cap and feed the string through.

3. Pipe Cleaner Bracelets 

This craft requires one material: pipe cleaners. I can guarantee your kids will be entertained for hours as they mix and match various color combinations, twisting the fluffy sticks to form artistic bracelets. This is an opportunity for them to build their tactile skills by teaching them braiding techniques. You can help them learn a simple twisting technique of wrapping two pipe cleaners around each other, and eventually, help them learn a 3-grouped braid. These colorful bracelets are the perfect DIY friendship bracelets on a budget!

4. Button Hair Pins 

For this craft you will need bobby pins, buttons and a hot glue gun. Kids should pick out one to three of their favorite buttons. Next, working alongside them using a hot glue gun, place the buttons onto the curved end of the hair pin. This is a fun and interactive activity for your kids that can be set up and completed within 20 minutes. This craft also serves as an awesome time to introduce your kids to taking the proper safety precautions with a hot tool. These pins will pair great with the popular slicked back hair style. Your kids will have a blast sharing their creative work, and will build their confidence and willingness to learn new crafty skills.

5. Shrinky Dink Bracelets

These DIY Shrinky Dink bracelets are the perfect fusion of a popular craft and a stylish accessory – and the best gifts for loved ones.  Grab a few plain chain bracelets and double clasp attachments that will make attaching the homemade Shrinky Dink charms and switching around their designs a breeze. Let your kids draw their wits ends on the plastic using any colored permanent markers. When their designs are ready, hole punch them and put them in the oven at 250-300 degrees for 1-3 minutes. Let them cool for at least 10 minutes and then use the double clasp attachments to hook them to the charm bracelet.

These 5 DIYs are the perfect source of entertainment for your kids any day of the week. For your next craft, create a DIY jewelry dish to store the kids’ new pieces.

Talia Varsano is a senior at Staples High School in Westport, CT, focused on journalism and her Managing Editor position for the SNO-recognized school publication, Inklings. Talia attended Northwestern University’s Medill Cherubs pre-college program this summer with an eye toward a career in scientific investigative journalism. Talia is a fitness enthusiast, loves running with her dog, skiing with her sisters and playing paddle on the beach.

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