Paint, Pattern & Pasta Fun!

Kids love turning ordinary pasta into colorful bracelets and necklaces. This simple craft packs in plenty of learning too! Whether they’re painting with brushes or shaking pasta and paint in a Ziploc bag, children can explore colors, practice fine-motor skills, and create patterns as they string their pasta into one-of-a-kind necklaces. It’s creativity they can wear!

You Will Need:

Dry Tube Pasta (rigatoni, penne, or ziti)
Acrylic Paint
Paintbrushes and/or Ziploc Bags
Parchment Paper or Paper Plates
Yarn, String, or Stretchy Cords
Scissors

What to Do:

Step 1: Paint the Pasta

Quick Bag Method: Put a handful of pasta and a squirt of paint into a zip-top bag, seal it, and shake or massage the bag until the noodles are fully coated.

Brush Method: Alternatively, let little hands paint individual noodles using paintbrushes for a more detailed design.

Step 2: Dry the Pasta

Spread the painted noodles out in a single layer on parchment paper or a paper plate.

Let them dry completely, which usually takes 1 to 2 hours. Add extra polka dots or stripes with a fine brush if desired once the base coat dries.

Step 3: String the Necklace

Cut a piece of yarn or string to fit comfortably around the child’s neck plus an extra few inches for tying.

Tie a bulky knot or secure an extra piece of pasta at one end of the string so the beads do not slide off while you work.

Thread your painted pasta noodles onto the string one by one in any pattern you like.

Step 4: Secure and Wear

Remove the anchor piece or temporary knot once you finish threading.

Tie the two ends of the string together tightly with a triple knot, and trim any excess string with scissors.

References:
Idea from Pretty Life Girls
Photo by Stephanie Felzenberg

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