Summer
Make a Button Bracelet
Here's a counting game that puts old buttons to good use and produces unique jewelry that your child can wear or give as gifts to friends. Make bracelets in different colors to accessorize everyday outfits or suit a particular theme. While she's having fun, your child is also building her fine motor skills, practicing color and size recognition, and sharpening her concentration.
What You Need:
- Elastic cord
- Assorted buttons without shanks
- Metal crimp tube, pliers, and miniature bells (optional)
What You Do:
- Cut a piece of cord long enough to fit around your child's wrist, plus an extra inch.
- Help your child lay out the buttons (and bells, if using) that she wants to use for the bracelet. Have her count each item as she works.
- Have your child string a button onto the cord, threading the cord up through one of the button's holes from the back to the front and then down and out of the opposite hole. If your buttons have four holes, just use two that are on opposite sides.
- Repeat step 3 until there is just 1/2” of elastic left on either side of the bracelet.
- Tie a knot in the cord on each end of the bracelet, making sure the knots are larger than the button holes so the buttons don't fall off. If you're using a metal crimp tube, affix it to the bracelet with a pair of pliers.
Did You Know?
Did you know that the word "button" comes from the French word bouton which means bud, knob, or anything round? The first buttons were ornamental, not functional. Police officers were also nicknamed "cops" and "coppers" because of buttons. New York City's first uniformed police force, established in the 1800's, wore coats adorned with large copper buttons!
