Buying guide for Best jewelry-making kits for kids
If you’re tired of seeing toys collect dust on the shelf, maybe it’s a sign that your child is ready for something more engaging. A craft activity like a jewelry-making kit could be just the thing to capture their imagination.
A jewelry-making kit can provide your child with a fun, meaningful challenge that gives them a chance to express themselves. Children can create necklaces, bracelets, and more to coordinate with different outfits. They can also make pieces to give as gifts.
Making jewelry with friends is a fantastic option for get-togethers as children start outgrowing dolls and action figures. Many kids are more likely to open up and share when their hands are busy. What’s more, projects like making jewelry provide a screen-free way to spend constructive time together.
A kit that’s too advanced would frustrate a younger child, as would a kit that’s too simple for an older child. The best kit for your kid matches their skill set, interest level, and fashion sense. Learn about the best jewelry-making kits for kids.
Key considerations
Age
Kids’ jewelry-making kits are designed for every level, from preschoolers up to high schoolers.
Preschoolers (ages 3 to 5) are still mastering the motor skills needed to color, operate scissors, and button clothing. They’ll be best at popping plastic beads together or stringing chunky beads on thick, solid necklaces and bracelets. Most will enjoy kits that feature sparkly “gems” and colorful beads with capital letters, favorite animals, or elements of nature.
Elementary school-aged children (ages 6 to 9) are able to thread intermediate-size beads and weave with the help of a loom or other tool. They still enjoy brightly colored components, but they may shy away from animal themes in favor of beloved television or movie characters. Blingy, attention-getting accessories are popular with this age group.
Tweens and young teens (ages 10 to 14) are often starting to develop their fashion sense and will probably want to imitate popular jewelry trends. They’ll likely view band loom kits as beneath them, but they may love weaving intricate friendship bracelets. Fashionable earrings may be on the radar for those with pierced ears. By this age, most will have the dexterity needed for projects using even tiny beads.
Technique
Making jewelry is all about self-expression, so finding a method that appeals to your child is important.
Beading: Beading is a technique almost any child can master. Some of the simplest kits involve beading single, individual strands. Other styles let your child pop plastic beads together to imitate traditional bead strands. More advanced options involve multiple strands that form intricate patterns.
Weaving: Both younger and older children can weave jewelry. Younger elementary children can create colorful designs using rubber bands and looms, while older children can weave and knot almost any pattern imaginable using materials like embroidery floss, hemp, or thin leather.
Clay molds: Some creative children may enjoy kits that allow them to mold their own beads, charms, and more. These kits provide clay and paint to create the design and metal findings to attach them to a bracelet, necklace, or backpack afterwards. Most clay charms must be baked in an oven.
Beading jewelry-making kits are great for kids who are both younger and older. We do a deep dive into these products to see if they provide enough variety to keep everyone entertained.
Preschooler-aged jewelry-making kits often provide beads that are easy to thread than more advanced options. We consider how well each product works for a variety of age levels.
Some jewelry-making kits will come with unique bead types that you can’t find anywhere else. We consider the included accessories that come with each product we evaluate.
Younger kids may not know exactly how to make a bracelet or necklace, which is why it is important to have great instructions. We consider how easy each jewelry-making kit is to understand without an adult on hand.
One of the top considerations when selecting a jewelry-making kit for kids is the amount of items you will need. We look for options that provide enough beads for multiple children to join in on the fun.
The quality of each string in a jewelry-making kit for kids can make the difference between creations that have longevity or break almost immediately. We consider the durability of each component of a kit.
Some jewelry-making kits for kids may feature additional trinkets to give to friends. We investigate each product to see if it adds a unique flair to its kit.
Bead trays can add a level of organization to a jewelry-making kit for kids. We do a deep dive into each option to see if helps maintain cleanliness as well as fun.
Some jewelry-making kits for kids may come with additional storage options to maintain all the items in one place, which is a huge plus when it comes to products for our list.
Jewelry-making kits for kids can range in price from $10-$50 depending on the variety of included items. We research each option to see how the quality of each product stacks up against its price point.
Features
Instructions
It’s important to remember that children may not use their jewelry kits independently — at least not at first. Unless you’re naturally crafty, it’s important to find a jewelry kit with good instructions so you can help them get started. Some kits include written instructions; others refer to you internet sites that demonstrate how to complete projects.
Size
If you’re buying a jewelry-making kit for a group of kids, make sure it has plenty of pieces so everyone gets something they want. This includes both the components and the tools used to make the jewelry. It’s no fun for six people to wait while two weave loom bracelets.
Friendship tokens
Old-school jewelry declaring you’re “besties” is making a comeback, and many kits include BFF charms and beads. Kits with these components make meaningful individual gifts but should be avoided at group crafting parties to sidestep squabbles and hurt feelings.
Stickers
Little hands that aren’t coordinated enough for paints can embellish their creations with stickers. Even the smallest of crafters can remove and stick decals to dress up their bracelets and necklaces. Glow-in-the-dark or scratch-and-sniff options can make this option even more unique.
Favorites
A favorite character may be all it takes to convince a reluctant crafter to give jewelry-making a try. Keep your child’s on-screen heroes in mind when you’re selecting a jewelry kit. Likewise, a kit featuring projects in your child’s favorite colors may catch their attention.
Storage
A storage container is a feature you may appreciate more than your child, but even older kids can see the benefit of well-organized containers that allow them to find what they need. Be sure that containers come with lids — at least one respected brand is notorious for skipping this step.
Caution
Beads can be a choking hazard for toddlers ages two and under, so don’t introduce a jewelry-making kit until at least age three.
STAFF
BestReviews
Accessories
Jewelry-making kits for adults: If all the hearts and neon beads look too juvenile, maybe it’s time to upgrade. There are many adult jewelry-making kits that include a variety of fashion-forward beads and sophisticated metal findings.
Jewelry box: If they’re looking for somewhere to put all the new jewelry they made, consider getting them a jewelry box of their own.
Ergonomic scissors: If you’re going to do a lot of cutting, look into a pair of ergonomic scissors.
Jewelry-making kit prices
Thankfully, you can make your kid’s day without breaking your budget. You can find kits to please almost any age for under $25.
Inexpensive
You can find jewelry-making kits for kids priced between $10 and $12. Most of these will be rubber band loom kits.
Mid-range
A few dollars more will buy you a lot more variety. A price tag of $12 to $15 will get you kits with items like stylized plastic and wooden beads, colored cords, and other accessories kids can use to individualize their creations.
High-end
The most expensive jewelry-making kits for kids cost $20 or more. For this price, you’ll find deluxe friendship bracelet kits that come with thread holders and weaving tools. They should come with a large supply of thread in a wide variety of colors.
Tips
- If your child has a latex allergy, avoid jewelry-making kits with rubber components.
- Elastic strands make it easy for the youngest jewelry makers to get necklaces over their heads and bracelets on their wrists.
- If the kit you choose does not come with lids for its containers, consider purchasing separate containers that have lids.
FAQ
Q. How can I entice my child to use their jewelry-making kit?
A. If your child isn’t initially interested in their kit, it’s not an automatic failure. Some kids are intimidated by new projects; others might not realize how much fun a kit can be. The best way to draw in a reluctant child is to invite them to join you. Pick a project you’ll be able to complete together quickly enough so your child won’t lose interest or get bored. Let your child pick the colors or design or make matching items as a memento of your time together.
Q. What if I’m not sure whether my child is interested in jewelry?
A. If you’re taking a gamble anyway, a rubber band loom kit isn’t much of a risk. While other kits are all about jewelry, loom kits give you versatility. Online searches can take you beyond simple jewelry projects and show you how to make charms, free-standing animals, and more. Unlike simple bead threading, looms require some effort and concentration, so the kit is more likely to be seen as a worthwhile challenge by kids who are ambivalent about jewelry.
Q. Will I need additional tools?
A. Most kits should come with the necessities. However, investing in a good pair of scissors for cutting thick cord wouldn’t hurt. A pair of needle nose pliers may help crimp rings and clasps if you have an older child making more advanced projects.
Q. When is my kid too old for a children’s kit?
A. Every child is different, but most kids transition from juvenile to adult styles during their early teen years. Your kit might get more mileage if you skip the neon and rubber as your child hits their teens. If your teen loved making jewelry as a child, consider getting them a jewelry-making kit for adults. It’ll offer all the same fun in more sophisticated styles.
