Celebrate Friendship Day On DIY!
Make handmade friendship bracelets using colorful threads and beads, exchange with friends and learn simple patterns, knots, and creative decoration techniques.
About this activity
Make handmade friendship bracelets using colorful threads and beads, exchange with friends and learn simple patterns, knots, and creative decoration techniques.
What you need
Step by step
- 1
Step 1
Pick four colourful threads you like and lay them out in a row.
- 2
Step 2
Measure each thread to about 60 cm (24 inches) and cut them with scissors.
- 3
Step 3
Line up the four cut threads and tie a tight knot about 5 cm from one end to make a loop and short tail.
- 4
Step 4
Secure the knotted loop to a table or pillow using clear tape or a safety pin.
- 5
Step 5
Spread the threads flat so you have two middle filler strands and two outer working strands.
- 6
Step 6
Tie one square knot by crossing the left outer strand over the two middle strands and under the right outer strand then pull it snug.
- 7
Step 7
Repeat the same square knot over and over until the knotted section is the length you want.
- 8
Step 8
Slide colourful beads onto the middle two strands wherever you want decorations.
- 9
Step 9
Tie a final tight knot just after the last bead to secure the design.
- 10
Step 10
Trim the tails to about 5 cm with scissors.
- 11
Step 11
Braid the trimmed tails and tie a small knot at the end to make a tie for the bracelet then give the bracelet to a friend to exchange.
- 12
Step 12
Share your finished friendship bracelet on DIY.org
Fun facts
How do I make handmade friendship bracelets for Friendship Day with my child?
To make friendship bracelets, choose 3–8 strands of embroidery floss about 24–30 inches each. Tie the strands together, secure the knot under tape or a clipboard, and learn basic forward and backward knots for stripes, chevrons, or braids. Add beads by threading them onto individual strands as you knot, keeping tension even. Finish with a tight knot, trim tails, and braid or knot the ends so friends can tie them on and exchange.
What materials do I need to make DIY friendship bracelets?
You’ll need embroidery floss in multiple colors, scissors, a ruler, and tape or a clipboard to hold your work. Add small beads with large holes, a beading needle for tiny beads, and optional charms or clasps. A lighter or clear craft glue helps secure knots. Use small containers or a bead tray to organize colors. For younger kids, use thicker yarn and oversized beads to make threading easier and safer.
What ages is making friendship bracelets suitable for?
Friendship bracelets work across ages: 5–6-year-olds can make simple bracelets using thicker yarn and large beads with adult supervision. Ages 7–9 can learn basic knots and follow simple patterns with some guidance. Ages 10+ are usually ready for more complex patterns, beadwork, and independent crafting. Always supervise young children around scissors and small beads to prevent choking, and adjust materials and instructions to each child’s fine-motor skills.
What are the benefits of making friendship bracelets with kids?
Making friendship bracelets supports fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and pattern recognition. It fosters creativity, color choice, planning, and patience while teaching basic sequencing and counting. The act of making and exchanging bracelets strengthens friendships, empathy, and communication, boosting confidence when children give handmade gifts. It’s a low-cost, screen-free activity that also provides calming, focused time for kids and parents to craft together.
Watch & Learn
Need help?
Can I substitute the clear tape or safety pin used to secure the knotted loop if I don't have them?
Yes — instead of clear tape or a safety pin you can clip the knotted loop under a clothespin or binder clip, tuck it under a heavy book, or pin it into a cushion to keep the bracelet steady while you tie the square knots.
My beads keep sliding down the middle strands before I finish — how do I stop that?
Slide a bead up close to the knotted section and tie a small overhand knot on the two middle strands before adding more square knots, and remember to tie the final tight knot just after the last bead to secure the design.
How can I change the difficulty for younger or older kids doing this bracelet activity?
For younger kids (3–5) have an adult pre-cut the 60 cm threads, tie the knotted loop, secure it to a pillow with a safety pin, and use large pony beads, while older kids (8+) can use six or more threads and repeat square knots to make a wider, more intricate bracelet.
What are simple ways to personalize or extend the friendship bracelet project?
Personalize by sliding alphabet or charm beads onto the middle strands before the final tight knot to spell names, mix different colour patterns across multiple bracelets to give a set, and then share photos on DIY.org.