Today we are sharing the best Perler bead ideas around that take easy Perler bead patterns and melty bead projects to the next level. Older kids of all ages will love transforming their simple Perler bead crafts into something really amazing with these project ideas.

18 fun ideas for Perler bead crafting - best perler bead projects - 7 pictured here from bracelets to buttons to a kaleidoscope  - Kids Activities Blog
Which fun perler bead idea will you try first?

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Easy Perler Bead Ideas for Kids

Perler bead crafts are easy crafts for kids that are just plain awesome pixel art and so much fun. Perler beads are also known as Hama Beads, Fuse Beads or Melty Beads.

Melty beads are teeny, tiny colorful beads with a hole in the middle that you arrange on a mat that has a grid of spikes (plastic pegboards). You can place Perler bead patterns under the clear mat to easily follow a bead design. Once you have all the colorful beads in the right place, you fuse them together by placing a piece of parchment paper over the top and applying heat with an iron.

Things to Make with Perler Beads

  • picture frames
  • jewelry – charms, rings, pendents, buttons, beads
  • baskets and bowls
  • key chains
  • bookmarks
  • coasters
  • toys, games and puzzles
  • artwork
  • gift tags
  • holiday ornaments

Supplies Needed for Perler Bead Crafts

You can get all the basic supplies you need to start crafting with Perler beads in starter Perler Bead kits. I like the FunzBo Fuse Beads for Kids Craft Art Set because it comes with the Hama beads with the different colors separated and stored in plastic containers which makes it faster to use. Or you can get the supplies individually at craft stores:

Safety Note: Because Perler beads are very small, use extreme caution with younger kids or siblings that might want to eat the colorful bits.

Do you need a pegboard for perler beads?

For most projects, using a pegboard works the best. If you are doing more freeform art or crafting that would require less organization of the beads, then creating without a pegboard is possible. You can see an example of this type of project without a pegboard with our melted bead suncatcher that used larger pony beads but could be modified for perler beads.

Perler Beads without an Iron

Literally any heat source COULD be used because you are just trying to heat up the surface to allow the beads to melt and adhere to each other, but an even application of heat is going to work the best with a control of the heat setting. While a heat gun, candle or lighter could work, they are difficult to keep at a proper temperature evenly over the surface. A hot pan or oven on low is a better option.

Easy Perler Bead Patterns

If you want to create your own easy perler bead patterns start with simple shapes and color blocks that can easily be separated on the perler pegboard. Nearly any shape could become your bead pattern…the sky is the limit!

Fun Perler Beads Ideas

I’ve gathered my favorite Perler bead projects that go beyond just a simple melty bead pattern and design to make really fun colorful masterpieces. These fuse bead ideas and easy DIY crafts are super fun things to make with colorful Perler beads.

1. Melty Bead Bookmarks Craft

Perler bead book mark craft idea for kids uses regular perler bead ideas and turns them into book marks from Babble Dabble Do
Let’s make a bookmark out of melty beads!

What is so cool about this Perler bead idea is that you can start with any small bead pattern you want and then add a paperclip to make a Melty Bead bookmark. Your favorite chapter books can now have a customized bookmark with your favorite characters. Oh, and they make good gifts too. See the gorgeous kid-friendly designs and how-to tutorial on BabbleDabbleDo.

2. Make Perler Bead Buttons

Make buttons out of perler beads and use them on your shirt or sweater - seen here big pink perler bead buttons sewed onto a white sweater cardigan from Maker Mama
You can make buttons out of Perler beads!

What a simple Perler Bead idea that transforms a craft into an accessory! Add a pop of color to an old cardigan with perler bead buttons. Extra big DIY buttons for little hands!  see how to make on MakerMama

3. Easy Rainbow Loom Bracelet Woven with Perler Beads

How to Add Perler Beads to Friendship Bracelets from Dabbles and Babbles - finished rainbow loom friendship bracelets with perler beads
You can add perler beads to your rubber band bracelets!

Check out this video tutorial for making Rainbow Loom Bracelets with Perler Beads – very easy to make for beginners and seasoned rainbow loomers from dabblesandbabbles.

4. DIY Perler Bead Coasters

Perler Bead Coasters from My Frugal Adventures - 5 colorful perler bead coasters that look like fruit slices of lemons, limes, grapefruit and watermelon
Let’s make Perler bead coasters for our next summer party!

Love them! Making them! These melty bead coasters are adorable and would be great for any summer occasion. Grab the instructions to transform the colorful plastic beads into slices of summer fruit from My Frugal Adventures. Oh, and check out the cute idea for DIY Perler bead drink covers too!

5. Mini DIY Bead Kaleidoscopes You Can Make at Home

finished Perler bead kaleidoscope held in child's hand next to sunny window from Babble Dabble Do
Use all those pretty perler bead colors in your homemade kaleidoscope!

Just look at what you can make with some toilet roll tubes and a variety of colors of tiny beads! just awesome from BabbleDabbleDo

6. Make a Perler Bead Bowl

Melty Bead bowl from Kids Activities Blog
Let’s make a bowl out of perler beads!

This Perler Bead Bowl craft is such a gorgeous bead craft for girls, how pretty! We originally made this as a kid-made gift for a relative’s home decor and it went over really well.

7. Handmade Kids Bike License Plates from Melty Beads

Perler-BEAD-Bike-PLATES from Willow Day - collage of three different perler bead bike license plate ideas for american flag, sweden flag and child's name on bike plate made out of melty beads
Let’s make customized bike license plates out of perler beads!

Aren’t these fun patterns?! Kids will revel in the opportunity to design and personalize their own bike plates with Willow Day.

Cool Perler Bead Designs

best perler bead crafts - 4 pictured including two bracelets, spinners and art
OOO! Let’s make a perler bead top!

8. Super Cute Hama Bead Bracelets Kids Can Make

perler bead ideas - three bracelets made out of perler beads stacked on white table in pastel colors
Let’s make Bracelets with Perler Beads!

Let’s make these cool Perler bead bracelets! Deliciously attractive – a fun accessory for big and little girls alike, and you can make them in any color combination to suit your mood. By MakerMama on DIYCandy

9. DIY Spinning Toys from Fuse Beads

perler bead ideas - two views of perler bead tops (toys) in colorful rainbow colors with toothpick centers on graph paper
You Can Make Perler Bead Toys!

I love these Perler bead creations! So colourful, so easy to make, for hours of spinning fun via BabbleDabbleDo

10. Homemade Gift Tags Made from Perler Beads

perler bead ideas - gift tags and gift decorations made with perler beads - shown are two robots holding a balloon on white wrapping paper
Make Presents Special with Perler Beads!

Super cute robots, balloons, bows, whatever diy decoration you would like to add created from fuse bead crafts to gifts for special friends, anytime of year. See the finished project on this pin from CurlyBirds.

11. DIY Pi Day Bracelets from Hama Beads

perler bead bracelets - four handmade pi bracelets made of perler beads on child's hand with temporary tattoo on back of wrist
Your Beaded Bracelet can be in celebration of Pi!

A great way to combine math, art, and crafting! The tiny plastic beads are strung according to Pi’s digits. Cool right? Follow along with PinkStripeySocks & check our her stretchy perler bead fruit bracelets too! 

perler bead crafts you don't want to miss - 4 pictured including a maze, frame and necklace charm
So many fun perler bead ideas, so little time!

12. Create a Perler Bead Maze

perler bead ideas - perler bead maze - three D mazes made with colorful beads and placed under plexi glass
What a fun homemade Maze!

Kids will really enjoy both designing their toy with Perler beads and then using it. See how to make this bead project on BabbleDabbleDo.

13. DIY Perler Picture Frame Using Perler Beads For Kids

Perler Bead BFF picture frame with picture of two friends inside from Crafts Unleashed
BFF picture frame made from perler beads!

Make your own picture frames for you and your best friends using Perler beads! You can make gifts for all your friends and family featuring your favorite photos. See how to make on CraftsUnleashed (link currently unavailable) & don’t forget to make several of the Perler bead frame projects because they are great gift ideas!

14. Perler Bead Monogram Necklaces You Can Make

perler bead ideas - letter necklace - pink purple and orange perler bead initial C pendant
Share Your Initials!

Invite your children to create some 80’s necklaces and initial pendants – see how to make on I Try DIY from simple pattern designs!

Cute Perler Bead Ideas

2 more perler bead crafts - bracelet and diy framed game
So much perler bead crafty fun!

15. Homemade Melted Bead Bracelets

perler bead ideas - perler bead bracelet in colorful duplicated colors on light table with additional beads in the background
What a Colorful Project!

These melded peeler bead bracelets look so good they could be store bought! What a fun way to craft! Grab the step by step instructions at craftandcreativity.

16. Melty Bead Puzzles to Make & Play

perler bead ideas - perler bead puzzle shown in white wooden frame with additional pieces on table
Perler Bead Toy or Artwork?

How clever! functional pentominoes puzzle out of these colorful little melty beads via rachelswartley

17. DIY Abacus Using Melty Beads

perler bead ideas - abacus made with box, perler beads and pipe cleaners
Let’s Craft an Abacus.

Lots of opportunities for learning and development as well as being a lovely project to make together. via lalymom

18. Fusible Bead Decorations for the Holidays

perler bead ideas - Christmas ornaments made out or melty beads - star of many different colors hanging on tree with text, how to make cookie cutter perler bead christmas decorations
Oh the Possibilities are endless…

Perfect for Easter, Halloween, Christmas or time during the year – depending on what cute cookie cutters you have. via picklebums

More Bead Fun for Kids

Perler Bead Projects for Kids of All ages - Kids activities Blog
Don’t spill the beads!

Which perler bead project did you choose first?



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