17 Clever Perler Bead Crafts for Kids

Oh, where to begin?  At first glance you wouldn’t think that a bag of plastic beads could be used to produce such a variety of items.  From favorite characters, to keychains, to décor items to toys, you can make them all with Perler beads, also known as Hama beads.

Most of the crafts and activities involve arranging the beads in particular patterns and then fusing them together with heat, so you’re going to need some adult supervision.  Plus, they are on their own, small parts.

However, you can make a lot of things with Perler Beads!

Perler Bead Ideas to Spark Creativity: 

Make a lovely Perler Bead Fruit Magnet by Frugal Mom Eh? These are a like a splash of sunshine in the cold winter months.

Glow in the Dark Crunchy Slime by The Soccer Mom Blog is just really cool.  It’s slime.  It glows in the dark.  It’s crunchy.

Inside Out Perler Bead Patterns by I Can Teach My Child are great fun , and a great way to talk through all of those emotions!

Minecraft and Pokemon characters by Mama in the Now (that’s me). Our four boys LOVED making these – and they were quiet for HOURS!

Perler Bead Ornaments by Housing a Forest are just lovely.  These should be on the top of the list of gifts to make for Teachers!

These toddler-approved Perler ornaments by Mama in the Now (again, that’s me) turned out SO adorable. Great gift ideas!

This Perler Bead Tic Tac Toe game by Teach Beside Me is a great example of a DIY for kids.  They get to craft their own gameboard, playthings and then, yep – PLAY THE GAME.  Totally win win!

Perler Bead Frames by Craftulate are open to endless personalization.  Again on the list of things to make and give!

Perler Bead Placemats by Meaningful Mama are another great idea, AND, you could even work ANY of the patterns listed here into the placemat itself!

Perler Bead Lightsabers by Preschool Inspirations.  Need I say more?

This Perler Bead Furniture by Mama Smiles is absolutely freaking adorable.

Perler Bead R2-D2 by Brain Power Boy – and it’s worth clicking around here too – as there are also Minecraft, pirate and submarine patterns to be found as well!  So cool.

Perler Bead Rainbow by Schooling a Monkey are just so cute!

Perler Bead Bowls by Happiness is Homemade make great décor items, and would be super fun for organizing!

Avengers Perler Bead Patterns by Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls are some more great patterns, and again, click around a little there too, as there are a bunch more as well, including many Star Wars patterns!

Perler Bead Bracelets by Red Ted Art are quite lovely, and would make very nice gifts.

These Winnie the Pooh Perler Bead Keychains by A Night Owl Blog are just too stinkin’ cute.

Princess Perler Bead Magnets by Artsy Fartsy Mama are a great idea,  and would make fun play things for the side of some kitchen appliances, for example.

Perler Bead Trolls by Craft Create Cook are totally totally awesome.  BUT – you must also check out their Perler Bead Bookmarks as well, and I would feel bad leaving without telling you about them.

So I think that actually every one of these Perler Bead Crafts would make an excellent gift!

Have fun creating with these treasures, but watch out!  They are just as bad as LEGO for stepping on.

For more fun Perler Bead ideas and instructions, follow my Perler Bead Pinterest board – it will keep you and your kids busy – and happy for hours!