Dyed Noodle Necklaces

Dyed noodle necklaces – a colorful spin on a classic preschool jewelry project. It is so easy to forget that you don’t need the perfect craft room to be able to pull off the perfect craft! We’ve got you covered!

What makes a perfect craft? For starters, it sneaks in skill development and lessons that children need to continue essential brain and body development! Noodle necklaces practice fine motor skills (beading the noodles onto the necklace), pattern recognition (alternating colors or types of noodles), and color identification!

Materials

• UNCOOKED Tube Macaroni (or other tube shaped noodle or noodle with a hole)
• Food Coloring
• White Vinegar
• Plastic ZipLock Bags
• String or Yarn
• Scissors
• Baking Sheet lined with Newspaper or Paper Towels
• Toothpicks
• Tape

Instructions

1. In a ZipLock bag, add 1 cup of uncooked macaroni, 1 teaspoon white vinegar, and 3-6 drops of food color. Seal tightly and gently shake until macaroni is fully covered in color.
2. Pour contents onto the lined baking sheet in a single layer. (Tip: The dye is still wet! Don’t you use your hands to spread out the noodles.)
3. Repeat these steps until you have all desired colors of macaroni.
4. Cut string to desired length and tape a toothpick to one end. (The toothpick will serve as a needle and make it easier to string the noodles.)
5. String macaroni using your toothpick needle. (Tip: Can your child create a repeating pattern? Have your child call out colors as they string their noodles to practice color identification.)
6. Once you are done stringing your noodles onto the necklace, tie ends together with a knot!

Instead of a necklace, what else can you create? Key chains? Bracelets? Crowns?