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Best Bracelets to Teach Kids? by Lily_99 5 years ago

I work at a day camp. The kids are obsessed with the bracelets I wear, and constantly asking for lessons. Problem is, even the simplest bracelets are tricky for them. The 9-10 year olds were pretty successful with the Double Chain Knot, using thicker string to make it easier. But the younger ones want to learn as well. Does anyone have recommendations for something 7-8 year olds can learn fairly easily? I tried teaching this age group to braid, and it...did not go well. It doesn't necessarily have to be a knotted bracelet, just a string or yarn bracelet that will make them feel like they've made a friendship bracelet. I'm thinking I'll just have the 5-6 year olds make beaded bracelets, but if anyone has suggestions for that age group, feel free to share as well. Thank you!

RE: Best Bracelets to Teach Kids? by kleinevos (moderator) 5 years ago

Maybe the hippie wrap or a Chinese staircase ?

RE: Best Bracelets to Teach Kids? by kleinevos (moderator) 5 years ago

Kumihimo is also fairly easy if you use 8 or 12 strings. You can make the disc out of cardboard.

RE: Best Bracelets to Teach Kids? by Dai 5 years ago

I tried teaching young kids (cub scouts) the chinese staircase. They learnt to do forward knots pretty easily, but their wraps had a tendency to overlap so the end result was not as "pretty". They were happy though :D
Another one I found is easy to learn for them is the fishtail wrap, both this version
https://www.friendship-bracelets.net/tutorial.php?id=5446
and the one with just one long string.
You could also try a rope braid, but instead of twisting two groups of strings you only twist one big group (6 or 7 strings about twice the length desired) tightly in one direction, put one finger in the middle, fold the strings in half and then let go the middle part. The rope braid will magically twist itself :)
Let me know how it goes!

RE: Best Bracelets to Teach Kids? by AZClaire (moderator) 5 years ago

My 7 year old daughter tried simple Kumihimo with 8 strings and she did a good job!

RE: Best Bracelets to Teach Kids? by 1Teamblonde1 5 years ago

This is the most simple bracelet pattern I know: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMbkUSX7Zxg but also Chinese staircase would be good.

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