Two common bead types are seed beads, which are tiny glass beads, and pony beads. "Pony beads" can mean large seed beads, but is commonly used to mean plastic craft beads. Beads can be made from glass, plastic, wood or other natural materials.
Shape air-dry clay or dough into beads, leave to dry and paint with poster colors and glitter. You also can paint dried macaroni. Cut plastic drinking straws into sections to make beads. Supply stiff plastic string to make stringing beads easier for small children.
Make beads using paper: construction paper, wrapping paper, even old magazines. Cut the paper into strips, glue with white craft glue and roll around straws or knitting needles. Straight strips make cylindrical beads, tapered strips make oval beads.
Older children can make beads from polymer clay. Mix colors for a marbled effect, or decorate with scraps of clay in different colors. Roll small balls of clay, pierce with a toothpick and bake in the oven.
Make beaded suncatchers by threading long strings of large, clear beads in different shapes and sizes. Thread transparent pony beads on pipe cleaners and bend into interesting shapes.
Beadies are characters or other motifs made from beads. Older children can make small beadies using seed beads and fine beading wire or fishing line. Use pony beads and plastic lace for larger beadies.