Pony Bead Gymnast
Create a fun little Pony Bead Gymnast to hang on a backpack, keychain, sports bag, or display with your pony bead collection. Kids can customize the gymnast with their favorite hair color, skin tone, and leotard colors. Make a solid color gymnast, a team-color gymnast, or a red, white, and blue version for patriotic events.
This is a great beading craft for kids who enjoy gymnastics, dance, sports, or handmade keychains.
Supplies
- 25 ivory, tan, or brown pony beads for skin
- 6 pony beads for hair, color of your choice
- 20 pony beads for leotard, color of your choice
- 4 feet satin cord
- 1 lanyard hook
- Scissors
- White glue, optional for stiffening cord ends
Instructions
- Fold the satin cord in half to find the center.
- Use a half hitch knot to secure the center of the cord to the lanyard hook.
- Lace the pony beads following the printable gymnast bead pattern.
- Pull the cord snug after each row so the beads line up neatly.
- When the gymnast is complete, tie the cord ends together with a double knot.
- Trim any extra cord. Add a small dab of glue to the knot if desired and let dry.
Craft Tips
Stiffen the ends of the cord with a little white glue before starting. This makes it easier for kids to thread the beads.
Change the leotard colors to match a favorite team, school, country, or gymnastics uniform.
You can also make several gymnasts with different hair colors and leotards for a full pony bead team.
Patterns, Templates and Printables
Click on the printable pony bead gymnast pattern to open it in a new window and use it as a guide while lacing the beads.
Teacher Friendly Educational Extension
Use this pony bead gymnast craft as part of a sports, movement, or Olympics-themed classroom activity. Kids can design their gymnast in team colors, then write a short paragraph about a favorite sport or athlete.
For a math connection, have students count the total number of beads used, sort beads by color, or compare the number of skin, hair, and leotard beads. This also makes a fun fine motor activity for younger students who are practicing patterns and hand-eye coordination.
Supplies
25 Ivory, Tan or Brown
Pony Beads for Skin
6 Pony Beads for Hair
(Color is Your Choice)
20 Pony Beads for Leotard
(Color is Your Choice)
4' Satin Cord
1 Lanyard Hook
Instructions
Fold your ribbon in half to find the center.
Use a half hitch (see detail below) to secure it to lanyard hook.
Lace beads using pattern below as a guide.
Finish by tying off with a double knot.
Other Images
Click on an image 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.
