This pony bead watermelon kids craft is a cheerful hands-on project for kids, classrooms, and family craft time. It uses the tutorial steps below as the practical guide while adding helpful planning notes so the project feels easier to prepare, follow, and finish. Gather the supplies first, give yourself a little workspace, and enjoy making something creative from simple materials.
Materials:
- Red rattail cord
- Split ring keyring
- Pony beads (red, black, green)
Equipment:
Instructions:
Step 1: Find what you need
- Gather your supplies and materials.
Step 2: Prepare your cord
- To make your pony bead watermelon, cut a 28 inch piece of red rattail cord.
- Fold the cord in half.
- Attach the cord to a split ring keyring (or a jump ring attached to a keyring) using a lark’s head knot.To do this, bring the loop up through the keyring and then down over the other side. Pull the cords tight to secure.
- Use painter’s tape to secure the keyring to your working surface.
Step 3: Add the first bead
- Gather red, black, and green pony beads to make your keychain.
- To make a pony bead keychain we’ll be working with both cord ends, attaching beads first to one and then going through in the opposite direction with the other end.
- Begin making Row 1 by adding 1 red bead to the left cord.(You can also start with the right cord if it’s more comfortable for you. The pattern will work either way.)
- Now take the end of the right cord and push it through the right side of the bead, so it’s attached to both cord ends.
- Pull the cord ends so the bead comes closer to the keyring.
- Pull down and out to bring the bead to the center, just below the keyring.
Step 4: Make the rest of the pattern
- For Row 2, add 1 black and 2 red beads. Attach them to both cords in the same way as row 1.
- Again, pull the cord ends so the beads end up centered just below row 1. It should be a straight row and relatively snug, but don’t pull too hard that the beads buckle.
- Follow the same steps to add the rest of the beads:Row 3: 3 red, black, redRow 4: red, black, 4 red, blackRow 5: 4 red, black, 4 redRow 6: 11 green(Note: If you find 11 beads makes the bottom row droop too much you can add 10 green beads instead.)
Step 5: Finish off the keychain
- Make a knot in each cord, as close to the last beads as possible.
- Then cut off the excess cord, close to the knots.
- Hold a lit BBQ lighter next to the cord ends for a couple seconds. This will melt the end of the cords and stop them from unraveling.
- Your pony bead watermelon is complete!
Helpful Tips
- Read through the full tutorial before starting.
- Prepare the listed supplies ahead of time so each step is easier to follow.
- Check the finished craft against the instructions before displaying or using it.
FAQs
Is this tutorial beginner friendly?
Yes. This pony bead watermelon kids craft is written with simple steps and extra tips for beginners.
Can kids make this craft independently?
Older kids may be able to work independently, while younger kids should have help with any steps that require close attention or small pieces.
How long does the craft take?
Most versions take about 30 minutes, depending on the materials and the pace of the crafter.
Can I use different colors?
Yes. Changing the colors is one of the easiest ways to personalize the finished craft.
Final Thoughts
Once the pony bead watermelon kids craft is finished, take a moment to check the details, compare the result with the tutorial, and display the project somewhere kids can enjoy their work.
Affiliate disclosure: This post may contain Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, Easy Crafts Ideas may earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
