Easy Pipe Cleaner & Bead Snake Craft for Kids

One of our favorite beaded crafts is making a pipe cleaner snake. Pipe cleaner crafts are great for kids of all ages, even preschoolers because it is a great way to practice hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills. This snake craft makes the coolest beaded snakes and is perfect at home or in the classroom.

Pipe Cleaner Craft: Beaded Snakes - 3 beaded snake crafts finished in bright colors on white background with text, pipe cleaner snake craft — Let’s make beaded crafts!

Easy Snake Craft with Beads & Pipe Cleaners

My toddler loves to thread beads onto pipe cleaners. You can even use pieces of drinking straws, like we did to create toddler friendship bracelets. For our snakes, though, we stuck with colorful beads.

Related: Easy Paper Snake Craft Using Empty Toilet Paper Rolls.

This is one of our favorite starter bead crafts for kids. It is easy enough for young kids (that aren’t at risk of putting beads in their mouth as a choking hazard), yet challenging enough to entertain older kids. With younger kids, you might consider using larger beads.

How to Make a bead snake

This easy craft has limitless potential and is quick and easy to make. You will find kids will want to make a whole family of colorful bead snakes.

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Supplies Needed

Watch Our short Tutorial video to see how easy it is!

Directions to Make PIPE CLEANER CRAFT SNAKES

Step 1

Bend the end of a pipe cleaner to prevent the beads from slipping off.

Step 2

Let your child thread the beads onto the pipe cleaner. We had fun making patterns and creating random designs.

We even had races to see who could finish putting beads on first!

Step 3

The last six beads on each pipe cleaner should be the same color. Fold the pipe cleaner back on itself to create a triangular-shape — this is your snake’s head!

Step 4

Cut the red pipe cleaner into small pieces, then fold the end to create a thick tongue. Use the hot glue to attach this piece to the bottom of your snake’s head.