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Beaded Acorn

  • Motor Practice
  • Science & STEM
  • Sensory Play
  • Grades 4-5
  • Grades 1-3

Weave together beads to make an acorn shape for fall!

Materials


Hemp Cord
Wooden Beads

Scissors

Masking Tape

Hot Glue *Adult Supervision Required

Instructions


Step  1.

Gather your supplies. 

Step  1.

Gather your supplies. 

Step  2.

Cut your cord to approximately 60” in length. Wrap a small piece of masking tape around each end of the cord. This will keep the ends of the cord from fraying and will make it easier to thread the beads on the cord.

Step  2.

Cut your cord to approximately 60” in length. Wrap a small piece of masking tape around each end of the cord. This will keep the ends of the cord from fraying and will make it easier to thread the beads on the cord.

Step  3.

Fold the cord in half and thread both ends of the cord through (1) large brown wood bead.

Step  3.

Fold the cord in half and thread both ends of the cord through (1) large brown wood bead.

Step  4.

Tie the looped end of the cord into a knot.

Step  4.

Tie the looped end of the cord into a knot.

Step  5.

Push the large brown bead all the way up against the knot. The bead is the stem of the acorn, and the loop can be used for hanging your acorn.

Step  5.

Push the large brown bead all the way up against the knot. The bead is the stem of the acorn, and the loop can be used for hanging your acorn.

Step  6.

To create row 1 of the acorn, thread (9) medium ribbed brown beads onto the left-hand cord.

Step  6.

To create row 1 of the acorn, thread (9) medium ribbed brown beads onto the left-hand cord.

Step  7.

Take your right-hand cord and lace back through the beads from the other end.

Step  7.

Take your right-hand cord and lace back through the beads from the other end.

Step  8.

Pull cords tight to form this row of your acorn.

Step  8.

Pull cords tight to form this row of your acorn.

Step  9.

To create row 2, thread (9) medium ribbed brown Beads onto the left-hand cord. Repeat Steps 7 and 8 to create row 2.

Step  9.

To create row 2, thread (9) medium ribbed brown Beads onto the left-hand cord. Repeat Steps 7 and 8 to create row 2.

Step  10.

To create row 3, thread (8) medium ribbed tan Beads onto the left-hand cord. Repeat Steps 7 and 8 to create row 3.

Step  10.

To create row 3, thread (8) medium ribbed tan Beads onto the left-hand cord. Repeat Steps 7 and 8 to create row 3.

Step  11.

To create row 4, thread (7) large tan beads onto the left-hand cord. Repeat Steps 7 and 8 to create row 4.

Step  11.

To create row 4, thread (7) large tan beads onto the left-hand cord. Repeat Steps 7 and 8 to create row 4.

Step  12.

To create row 5, thread (7) square tan beads onto the left-hand cord. Repeat Steps 7 and 8 to create row 5.

Step  12.

To create row 5, thread (7) square tan beads onto the left-hand cord. Repeat Steps 7 and 8 to create row 5.

Step  13.

To create row 6, thread (6) medium tan beads onto the left-hand cord. Repeat Steps 7 and 8 to create row 6.

Step  13.

To create row 6, thread (6) medium tan beads onto the left-hand cord. Repeat Steps 7 and 8 to create row 6.

Step  14.

To create row 7, thread (7) small tan beads onto the left-hand cord. Repeat Steps 7 and 8 to create row 7.

Step  14.

To create row 7, thread (7) small tan beads onto the left-hand cord. Repeat Steps 7 and 8 to create row 7.

Step  15.

To create row 8, thread (6) small tan beads onto the left-hand cord. Repeat Steps 7 and 8 to create row 8.

Step  15.

To create row 8, thread (6) small tan beads onto the left-hand cord. Repeat Steps 7 and 8 to create row 8.

Step  16.

To create row 9, thread (3) large tan beads onto the left-hand cord. Repeat Steps 7 and 8 to create row 9.

Step  16.

To create row 9, thread (3) large tan beads onto the left-hand cord. Repeat Steps 7 and 8 to create row 9.

Step  17.

To secure your acorn, tie a tight double knot at each end of row 9, making sure the knots are snug against the beads. Trim excess thread with scissors.

 

Tip: Have an adult use a hot glue gun to secure the beads together and help the acorn keep its shape when hanging.

Step  17.

To secure your acorn, tie a tight double knot at each end of row 9, making sure the knots are snug against the beads. Trim excess thread with scissors.

 

Tip: Have an adult use a hot glue gun to secure the beads together and help the acorn keep its shape when hanging.

Teacher's Corner

This beaded craft is rooted in science — explore the life cycle of an acorn seed!

Lesson Objectives

  • All About Acorns: Did you know that acorns can grow into oak trees?! The life cycle of a tree starts with a seedling which transforms into a large tree over time. Then, the branches sprout acorns and the process begins all over again! Create a tree in the classroom or hallways by grouping your students’ acorns together — which stage of the life cycle does this tree represent?
  • Natural Crafter: With materials like hemp cord and wooden beads, this project explores all kinds of natural crafting elements! What other objects from nature can you craft with? Ask your students to make a list and gather the items during recess for more nature-filled art sessions!

Follow-up Discussion

After creating, explore a little more natural science behind the craft! Explain how long the tree growing process takes and which animals use acorns as a food resource. Then, open up a class discussion about the life cycle of plants and how it affects the elements of nature, like food chains and the ecosystems.