Beaded Alien
Kids who love outer space will have fun making this silly Beaded Alien craft. Pony beads and satin cord turn into a cute little alien that can hang from a backpack, key ring, or camp bag.
This is a fun bead craft for kids at camp, at home, or as part of an outer space classroom activity. Younger kids may need help following the bead pattern, but older kids can enjoy making their own alien key chain from start to finish.
Supplies
- 2 Black Pony Beads
- 47 Green Pony Beads
- 5 Feet of Satin Cord
- 1 Lanyard Hook or Key Ring
- Craft Glue
- Scissors
Instructions
- Click on the printable bead pattern and print it out for reference before you begin.
- Stiffen the ends of the satin cord with craft glue. Let dry completely. Fold the cord in half and tie the center of the cord to a lanyard hook or key ring.
- String four green pony beads onto the left cord. Thread the right cord back through the same four beads in the opposite direction. Pull both cords snug so the beads sit evenly near the knot.
- For the next row, string one green bead, one black bead, one green bead, one black bead, and one green bead onto the left cord. Thread the right cord back through the same beads in the opposite direction. Pull both cords tight to form the alien’s face.
- Continue stringing the next three rows in the same way, using the printable bead pattern as your guide.
- To make the arms, string five green pony beads onto the left cord. Loop around the fifth bead, then thread the cord back through beads four, three, two, and one. Repeat this step on the right cord.
- Continue stringing the next three body rows using the bead pattern as your guide.
- To make the legs, string beads six through twelve onto the right cord. Loop around bead twelve, thread back through bead eleven, skip bead ten, then thread back through beads nine, eight, seven, and six. Repeat on the left cord.
- Tie the cords together in a double knot. Add a small dab of craft glue to the knot and let it dry. Trim the extra cord close to the knot.
Fun Facts About Aliens and Space
No one has proven that aliens exist, but scientists are always searching for signs of life beyond Earth.
Mars is one of the planets scientists study closely because it may have had water long ago.
Astronauts use special suits in space because there is no breathable air outside a spacecraft.
Patterns, Templates and Printables
Click on the Beaded Alien pattern to open it in a new window and use it as a guide while making this craft.
Teacher Friendly Educational Extension
Use this Beaded Alien craft as part of an outer space lesson or classroom activity. After making their aliens, kids can write a short story about the planet their alien comes from. Ask them to describe what the alien eats, how it travels, and what its home planet looks like.
For a math connection, have students count the total beads used, sort beads by color, or create their own bead patterns using symmetry. This is also a fun fine motor activity for practicing hand-eye coordination and pattern following.
Supplies
2 Black Pony Beads47 Green Pony Beads
5 Feet of Satin Cord
1 Lanyard Hook or Key Ring
Craft Glue
Scissors
Instructions
Click on Printables and print out the bead pattern for reference.
Stiffen the ends of the satin cord with craft glue. Let dry. Fold cord in half. Tie to the middle of a lanyard hook or key ring.
String four green pony beads on the left hand cord. String the right hand cord through the same beads in the opposite direction. Pull both cords securely, snugging the beads evenly up to the knot.
String one green pony bead, one black bead, one green pony bead, one black bead and one green pony bead on the left hand cord. String the right hand cord through the same beads in the opposite direction. Pull both cords securely, snugging the beads evenly up to the previous row.
Continue stringing the next three rows in this manner, using the pattern above as a guide.
To make the arms, string five green pony beads on the left hand cord. Loop around bead 5 and string the cord back through beads 4, 3, 2, and 1. Repeat with the right hand cord.
Continue stringing the next three body rows in this manner, using the pattern above as a guide.
To make the legs, string beads 6-12 on the right hand cord. Loop around bead 12, string back through bead 11, skip bead 10, then loop back through beads 9, 8, 7 and 6.
Repeat with the left hand cord.
Tie a cord together in a double knot. Dab a bit of craft glue on the knot. Let dry. Trim cord close to the knot.
Patterns, Templates and Printables
Click on a pattern to open it in a new window
Contributor
These projects are created by Terri, Betty, Jamie or one of the talented staff members at MakingFriends.com. They have been created exclusively for publication on FreeKidsCrafts.com with supplies you'll be able to find around your house.
