African Trade Beads
Kids learn about African history and geography as they create beautiful necklaces, bracelets, and ankle bracelets. Wear them everywhere!
1. African trading beads were made from a variety of natural and processed materials, such as bone, shells, wood, and minerals. Not all trading beads were made in Africa, but Africa was a central trading area for them. The continent was one corner of a triangular shipping route which included Europe, West Africa, and the West Indies.
2. Ornate beads were made from glass, which was heated, then wound around a metal wand in a spiral pattern. To make paper replicas of spiral beads, use Crayola® Scissors to cut very narrow triangles from colored construction paper. The wide end of each triangle will be the size of your bead. Make triangles as long as the paper.
3. Decorate your paper triangles with Crayola Gel Markers.
4. Beginning with the widest end, wind your paper triangle tightly around a toothpick, keeping the triangle centered as you go. Glue the point of the triangle to the bead with Crayola School Glue. Let the glue air-dry completely.
5. After the glue dries, remove the toothpick. String your beads on brightly colored string or yarn. Use smaller beads as spacers, or knot the string between beads for variety.
Adult supervision is required for any arts & crafts project.
Scissors—ATTENTION: The cutting edges of scissors are sharp and care should be taken whenever cutting or handling. Blunt-tip scissors should be used only by children 4 years and older. Pointed-tip scissors should be used only by children 6 years and older.
String-Like Materials—Includes string, raffia, lacing, yarn, ribbon, and other similar material. Children 3 years and younger should not be given any string-like material that is longer than 12 inches. Close adult supervision is essential whenever children use string-like material. When crafts are to be worn around the necks of children 8 years and younger, attach the ends of the “string-like material” with clear adhesive tape, which allows easy release of the bond if the craft becomes entangled or caught on equipment. For children older than 8 years, the ends of the “string-like material” may be tied and knotted.
Wood—By its nature, wood is rough and may contain splinters or sharp points
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