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Make a paper accessory

Make a paper accessory
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Fold, decorate, and assemble a paper bracelet or necklace using paper strips, glue, and beads while practicing measuring, cutting, and creative design skills.

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Step-by-step guide to make a paper bracelet or necklace

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👑 How To Make paper CROWN 👑 Easy Paper DIY 👑 Craft Ideas

What you need
Adult supervision required, beads, colouring materials, glue, paper or colored paper, pencil, ruler, scissors

Step 1

Gather all the materials listed and find a clean flat workspace.

Step 2

Wrap a scrap paper strip around your wrist or neck and mark the length with a pencil using the ruler.

Step 3

Cut about ten strips from your paper that are 2 cm wide and the length you marked.

Step 4

Decorate each paper strip with colours and patterns using your colouring materials.

Step 5

Take one decorated strip and bring its two short ends together to form a loop.

Step 6

Apply a small line of glue to one end of that loop.

Step 7

Press the glued ends together until the glue holds and a loop is formed.

Step 8

Slide a second decorated strip through the first loop before you close it.

Step 9

Apply a small line of glue to one end of the second strip.

Step 10

Press the glued ends of the second strip to close it and create a linked chain.

Step 11

Repeat Steps 8 to 10 with more strips until the paper chain fits the length you measured.

Step 12

Put a small dab of glue on any loop where you want a bead decoration.

Step 13

Press a bead onto each dab of glue and hold briefly until it sticks.

Step 14

Share your finished bracelet or necklace on DIY.org

Final steps

You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!

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Help!?

What can we substitute if we don't have beads, liquid glue, or a ruler?

If you don't have beads use punched paper circles or dried pasta, replace liquid glue with double-sided tape or a stapler for Steps 6–10, and mark lengths using any straight edge like a book instead of a ruler.

My loops keep coming apart — what should we do when following Step 6 and Steps 8–10?

Use a slightly bigger dab of glue and hold the glued seam with a clothespin or press for 30 seconds at Step 6 and again at Step 9, or reinforce seams with a small piece of clear tape if the glue isn't drying.

How can we adapt this activity for different ages?

For toddlers, pre-cut wider 3–4 cm strips and supervise decorating and sliding loops, while older kids can cut precise 2 cm strips, create repeating patterns in Step 4, and add bead details in Step 11.

How can we personalize or make the bracelet/necklace last longer after finishing Step 11?

Personalize by mixing textured papers or adding charms and make it sturdier by covering each decorated strip with clear tape or laminating before assembling in Step 2 so the finished chain withstands wear.

Watch videos on how to make a paper bracelet or necklace

Here at SafeTube, we're on a mission to create a safer and more delightful internet. 😊

How to make a Paper Crown without glue | Very Easy | Step by step Tutorial

4 Videos

Facts about paper crafts

♻️ Making jewelry from old magazines or scrap paper is a common upcycling craft that helps reduce waste.

📏 A standard school ruler is 30 cm (12 in) — perfect for measuring paper strips for bracelets and necklaces.

🧠 Cutting, folding, and stringing beads boosts fine motor skills and helps kids practice counting and pattern-making.

🎎 Origami comes from the Japanese words ori (folding) and kami (paper) and has inspired many simple jewelry-folding techniques.

🌍 Paper-bead jewelry became a notable cottage industry in Uganda, providing income for many artisans.

How do you make a paper bracelet or necklace by folding, decorating, and assembling paper strips?

Measure the child’s wrist or neck and add about 1–2 cm for overlap. Mark and cut paper strips to size with a ruler and scissors. Let the child decorate strips with markers, stickers, or paint. Fold strips into links (paper chain) or roll and glue for a cuff; punch holes or thread beads onto elastic or yarn. Secure ends with glue or tape, press until dry, and trim any excess. Supervise cutting and bead threading.

What materials do I need to make a paper bracelet or necklace with paper strips, glue, and beads?

You’ll need sturdy paper or recycled scrap paper cut into strips, a ruler and pencil, child-safe scissors, glue stick or white glue, hole punch (optional), beads with large holes, elastic thread or yarn, and tape. Also have markers, stickers, or paint for decorating and a tray to keep beads organized. Optional: clear contact paper or laminator to reinforce pieces and make them more durable.

What ages is this paper bracelet and necklace activity suitable for?

This craft fits ages 3–10 with varying supervision. Ages 3–5 enjoy decorating and simple folding with close adult help for cutting and bead use. Ages 6–8 can measure, cut, fold, and string beads with moderate independence. Ages 9+ can handle precise measuring, more complex folding or paper bead techniques, and design patterns. Always supervise young children around scissors and small beads because of choking risks.

What are the benefits, safety tips, and variations for making paper bracelets and necklaces?

Making paper jewelry strengthens fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and basic measuring/math while encouraging creativity and design thinking. It’s low-cost and eco-friendly using recycled paper. Safety tips: use child-safe scissors, choose large-hole beads or avoid beads for toddlers, supervise glue and small parts, and keep work area tidy. Variations include rolled paper beads, origami-style folded chains, laminating for durability, or mixing fabric and buttons for different textures.
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Make a paper accessory. Activities for Kids.