You want an activity for boys and girls that will thrill your five year-old as easily as your preteen? Oh I've got the answer for you! Behold, the mighty Bracelets of Power.March yourself down to your local hardware store (Home Depot or Lowes for example) and buy several feet of 1/4 inch and 3/8 inch plastic tubing. It's probably over in the same aisle as the PVC pipe--it's not hard to find neither is it expensive. I bought two large coils of tubing for about $5.
Cut a nine-inch length of small tubing. Cut a one-inch segment of big tubing to use as a coupling (be careful not to get the tubing oily or greasy then it won't fit as tightly). Stick the large tube segment on the end of the longer, small tube segment then drop tiny beads or a little bit of glitter inside the bracelet through that larger opening.
Once you've got as many beads or as much glitter as you'd like use an eyedropper to fill the tube with water then stick the other small end into the coupler to make a circle and seal the whole thing up. Easy! I actually had some liquid glycerin leftover from another project and I put some of that in the water we used which made the water thicker and more like the liquid you'd find in a snow globe. Keeps the beads from falling as quickly but it's not really necessary.I was ever so slightly worried about the bracelets getting pulled apart and dumping water everywhere so I put a tiny drop of super glue along the seam just for an extra precaution. Motherhood is always smoother with extra precautions isn't it?
They'll love this! Kept my kids busy for a good solid hour.
Technorati tags: children, motherhood, parenting, crafts
45 comments:
I love, love, love ... no, adore! this idea! How cool! I know of a teenager who would really enjoy this. Thank you for sharing it!
Warmly,
Col
What a neat idea... good for craft fairs etc..
Oh I would have loved this as a kid. Please keep posting craft ideas three years from now when my daughter finally reaches an age to craft!
What a fabulous idea. Thanks for sharing. This is something we could do at kids club. :)
oh yeah. we're goina do it!
I saw this idea last year and wanted to try it. Maybe you've got me inspired enough to pick up the supplies.
They're so cool. I want one!
Great idea. I will definately be trying this one this summer. Will have to find the boys some interesting little beads to make them more "boy".
Fantastic idea!! This will be great for those "boring" summer days. :-)
What a fabulous idea - you are so crafty!
This is a great idea! I'd forgotten all about the plastic-floatie bracelets we had when I was young.
Ahh the fashion memories.
I need to file this in my mental list for when Mim's a bit older. Or I could just make one for church for myself. =)
Great idea I am going to try it with my kids. Sounds like a birthday party activity.
Thank you! I'm thinking red, white and blue for 4th of July!
What a great idea. I will try to remember it this summer when I start getting desperate.
This is spectacular. Beads and water - two of my kids' favorites! And, oh yes, toddler bling!
That is such a great idea! That would keep even me entertained! It looks like such a fun craft! Thanks for the idea!
I totally love this! I just printed it out to use at the next 4-H meeting. What a wonderful and simple idea. :)
This is an awesome idea!
This is a fantastic craft - I've bookmarked so many of your ideas for the summer!
Beautiful! An idea I can't WAIT to try (along with the popsicle stick purse).
Gotta admit, I'm glad to add this to my blogroll - I've enjoyed every post I've read so far.
That is nothing short of brilliant!
Definitely going to give this a try!
So unique! Thanks for sharing.
Oh! What a great idea! My kids would absolutely be into that project...and I am totally with you on the super glue precaution.
Superhero and pricess bracelets, here we come!
Thanks for sharing :)
super cool! probably a bit advanced for my 4 year old but I will file it with my "to-do" stuff!
What a great idea!
Love this idea! I think if we do it we'll make some longer ones for necklaces too!
FUN AND PRETTY!!! Cannot go wrong with that... ooh!!! and great for gifts,too.
What a great idea...my 5th graders will love this!
What a fun idea! I'm definitely marking this one so we can try it this summer.
What a wonderful idea! I can't wait to try it! You are so creative!!! Thanks for sharing!
This would be a great camp activity!!! Thanks for the idea.
That's so creative! Thanks for the idea; my daughter will love making this project.
What a cool idea! I will gladly try this and pass it on. Thanks for the tips. :)
I'm putting this in my summer camp creaft file. Every summer we go camping with all the siblings. I think there are now 29 kids between us all. We always make buddy bracelets to remind the kids who their safety buddy is, and this would be great for that.
Hey, this might work if I can keep Eli from throwing beads all over the house.
Thanks for all the great ideas!
Too, too clever!!!!
It is fantastic,how clever you are.
I loved this idea so much I had to blog about it on my parenting blog. Check it out if you'd like:
http://laugh-learn-love.blogspot.com/2008/05/bright-idea-bracelets-of-power.html
Thanks for passing on such a genius idea!
That is fantastic! I am thinking 5 year old birthday party activity! Awesome!
this is well a verry old to me why i say that is well me and my friends years a go use to make them what we use is the stuff for fish tanks air tube works realy good
Brilliant.
these are amazing! I linked to your post from my blog:
librarycollective.blogspot.com
I love it!
Revisiting my June newsletter (I can't find my July one? Were you kayaking or something?) LOVE this idea. Can't wait to try it!! Thanks.
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