12 creative crafts and fun activities for kids to do using dried beans

August 05, 2023

An excellent source of vegetable protein and tasty, versatile recipe ingredients, beans are not only good for cooking and eating. In fact, dried beans can be used for many different activities with children, entertaining them in a fun way and stimulating their imagination and creativity.

From colorful mosaics to accessories and musical instruments, from planting them to learning the alphabet and math, beans are a great way to engage your children in many fun and stimulating activities. You can find bean projects for children of all ages, from the youngest to the oldest, involving them all in a fun, creative afternoon with family or friends.

Let's discover together 12 fun and creative activities you can do using beans.

1. Sowing

The first activity we all think of for kids when it comes to beans is a planting science project. Children will be ecstatic to see the sprouts appear and will happily follow the growth of their seedlings. Put your favorite beans in a cotton ball inside a transparent container and wet it regularly; the first shoots will soon appear.

2. Mosaics

Another interesting project to do with your children is creating a mosaic: you can use beans as tiles and choose whether to paint them or leave them au natural.

3. Math projects

Learning the basics of math has never been so much fun! Use beans and ice cream sticks to teach numbers to your younger children.

4. Photo frames

Cute photo frames made with beans are a great way to spend time having fun with the kids and are perfect as gift ideas!

5. Decorative bottles

If you're looking for a creative way to decorate your kitchen, beans are the perfect solution. Your children will be thrilled to fill bottles or jars with beans, pasta and rice. Complete the decoration by wrapping them with bows and colored fabrics.

6. Candle holders

To decorate your home for the holidays or to simply to create a romantic atmosphere, candles are essential; let your children help you make pretty candle holders using beans and other dried legumes.

7. The alphabet

Even learning the alphabet becomes easier with the help of beans. You can let your children glue the beans following the shape of the letters, perhaps writing their names to hang on the bedroom door, or write the letters on the individual beans and have your children divide them into containers; there are many great ideas for learning the alphabet using beans.

8. Animals

How about making cute bean animals instead?

9. Jewelry

For the older and more experienced kids, it will be wonderful to create jewelry with beans. You can make necklaces and bracelets, but also cute earrings using nylon thread and dried beans.

10. Maracas

Making maracas to get your kids interested in music is very simple: all you need are some plastic eggs (those chocolate eggs containing the surprises), plastic spoons, beans and decorative tape.

11. Kazoos

Speaking of musical instruments, it will also be fun to make a kazoo: you will need dried beans, cardboard tube, some paper and adhesive tape to close the ends. Decorate as you wish and start discovering the unique sounds!