This easy macaroni necklace craft is fun for kids of all ages, from toddlers to elementary students. It not only encourages imaginative play, but it works on fine motor skills, too.
You can use a variety of pasta shapes for this craft—just make sure they are tube-shaped and that you can use a pipe cleaner to string the necklace together.
Crafts like these are a fun way to add to a dress up collection, and would also make a great Mother’s Day gift idea!
There are several ways you can paint pasta, but for this craft we’re recommending you use paint brushes so that little hands can help and be a part of the process.
Looking for More Pretend Play Crafts?
Why Use Noodles for Crafts?
Noodles are a great craft item to keep on hand, and a lot of times you’ll already have some in the pantry, even if you don’t have these exact ones.
You can paint them and glue them onto paper to make a collage, or even make a Menorah shape with them!
Why Kids Like Pasta Crafts:
- This is a great way for kids to use fine motor skills by picking up the noodles and stringing them onto the pipe cleaners.
- Creating wearable art is a fun way to express each kid’s personality through different colors and painting techniques.
- Kids can paint their noodles twice; using solid colors the first time and then adding glitter paint, dots, or stripes in other colors with a smaller brush.
Supplies:
- pasta with a tube hole (anything like macaroni, penne, rigatoni or ziti will work)
- acrylic paint
- paint brushes
- pipe cleaners (or yarn/string to thread noodles)
- wax paper (optional)
How to Paint the Noodles:
The easiest way to paint your noodles is to make a hook out of a pipe cleaner and slide your noodle onto it so it stays on. Then, hold the pipe cleaner like a lollipop and paint your noodle with acrylic paint while upright on the hook.
You can also add it to a cup (like you would add a flower to a vase) and let it droop over the edge while it dries. Simply pull out the pipe cleaner when it’s all dry to reuse later.
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You can also paint the noodle on the pipe cleaner and then lay it on wax paper to dry. Or little kids may like to put larger noodles on their fingers to paint before letting them dry on wax paper.
Building the Necklace with Pipe Cleaners:
When the noodles are dry, twist two pipe cleaners together to make a long strand and have your child thread their noodles onto the necklace. Twist remaining pipe cleaner ends together to close, and your necklace is ready to wear!
Tips:
- While you can use yarn or string to make your necklace with, the pipe cleaners are best since they act as their own needle for threading the pasta onto the pipe cleaners. If using yarn or string, you may want to wind some tape around the end of your strand so it stiffens the end for easier threading.
- I would use acrylic paint rather than washable paint if your little one wants to really wear the necklace around. That way, in case they get it wet, the paint won’t transfer onto other items.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I store macaroni pasta necklaces?
Since the pasta hasn’t been cooked and is dry, you can store the necklaces in a box or any other container, and they will last for about as long as you want them.
You can also take off the pasta beads and rearrange them into a new necklace.
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Get the How-To
Supplies
Instructions
- For an easy way to paint your noodles, make a hook out of a pipe cleaner and slide your noodle onto the hook so it stays on. Hold the pipe cleaner like a lollipop and paint your noodle with acrylic paint while upright on the hook.
- You can also add it to a cup like you would add a flower to a vase and let it droop over the edge while it dries. Simply pull out the pipe cleaner when it's all dry to reuse later.
- You can also paint the noodle on the pipe cleaner and then lay it on wax paper to dry or little kids may like to put larger noodles on their fingers to paint and then lay them on wax paper to dry.
- When the noodles are dry, twist two pipe cleaners together to make a long strand and have your kid thread their noodles onto the necklace. Twist remaining pipe cleaner ends together to close and your necklace is ready to wear!
Equipment