This is an affordable, fun childcare activity for you and your child.
Please note: Children should not be left unattended while making and wearing pasta bracelets.
What you need;
- A bag of tubular pasta, e.g. penne or elicoidali – experiment with different types.
- Acrylic paints; if you don’t have acrylic paint you can make your own by mixing poster paints with PVA glue until the desired thickness is achieved;
- Paint brush;
- Elastic string to make the bracelet – use an elastic that can be easily broken to help avoid accidents;
- String, for drying the pasta;
- Scissors.
The activity, step by step:
Part one; paint the pasta:
- Prepare your paints according to the manufacturer’s instructions;
- Apply the paint to the uncooked pasta; use a brush or hands if your child enjoys getting messy!
- Thread the painted pasta onto a length of string and hang to dry.
Part two; make the bracelet:
- When your pasta is dry remove it from the string; separate any pieces of pasta that stick together carefully to prevent them snapping;
- Use the scissors to cut the elastic to the desired length; it should easily slide on and off your child’s wrist;
- Thread your painted pasta onto the elastic;
- Tie the two ends together, or use a pull-apart clasp.
Teaching points – things you can talk about while you’re enjoying this activity:
- Use descriptive words to discuss how the paint feels on your hands;
- Talk about the different coloured paints you’re using;
- Stretch the elastic, what does it feel like?
- Talk about how the raw pasta is different from cooked pasta.
- Count the pasta tubes as you thread them.
This childcare activity promotes:
- Problem solving, reasoning and numeracy.
- Communication, language and literacy.
- Knowledge and Understanding of the World.
