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Perler Beads; Kids' new favourite activity
Topic Started: Jul 1 2008, 07:03 PM (1,042 Views)
realeez
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Brain Freeze
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We have recently amassed quite a large amount of these beads (for the uninitiated, you put the little beads on a peg board and then iron to fuse them together). My boys are really getting good at it and even copy complicated designs from the idea booklet. DD (2.5) really likes it too but usually needs my help to finish before she completely loses patience. I have fun doing it too :) . I especially like to give it to my ds to do while he wears his eye patch since I think it really gets his "lazy" eye working hard.

When I was younger, I used to do this too but for some reason we called them Hummabeads.

PERLER BEADS
Edited by realeez, Jul 2 2008, 12:35 PM.
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jellybean
aishes chayil
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we call them fuse beads ...
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conundrum1
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Yummy's Mommy
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I remember that! I don't remember what it was called back in the late '80s / early '90s.
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ScrappingMom
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jellybean
Jul 1 2008, 09:45 PM
we call them fuse beads ...
So do we. In camp, we make them with the kids and turn them into magnets or key chains.
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Zeesachaya
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Rebbetzin
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Oh yes, I remember those! They were great fun. I love it when a craft appeals to multiple age levels :) Dd is learning macrame from bubbe but younger ds gets a tad bit too interested and then she has to put it away for a while. We've given him a few strands that are "his" so this gives her more time to tie knots before he wants her to pay attention and play games with him again!
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sauls_mom
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we just bought some for the kids. unfortunately the brand we bought has REALLY small beads that are ending up everywhere. I love the idea of turning them into magnets though
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npl
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The Perler website lists a product for 3-5 yos with larger beads and a special pegboard. I'm wondering if this is worth it, as my memory of this craft is that it took so long to finish that the kids got bored before they were done. I'm also thinking this might be more manageable for my 3yo and other kids with fine-motor issues.
Anyone tried it?
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sauls_mom
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ac moore sells them- the big beads are still pretty small
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realeez
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We have the really small ones (like popcorn kernel size or smaller) and my kids are good with it. I give them some beads at a time on a plate and mess wise it's not too terrible. Some kids do lose patience first but overall it's good. Yesterday we had over friends and there were 4 boys sitting around the table (ages 5 and 6) working quietly. Anyone who thinks all boys are wild should have seen this!
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npl
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I think my 6yo ds will love this and play for hours. My dd will probably find it frustrating to manipulate the tiny beads (though she loves regular beading and sewing) and my youngest would really benefit from an activity that stretches his attention span.
OK I feel a trip to Michael's coming on, or maybe scholar's choice - where did you get them, Realeez?
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realeez
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I started w/ a small pkg from Michael's (~$2) with enough beads for 2 pegboards and IIRC it comes with 1 pegboard. (FYI: Michael's always has a 40% off coupon for one item in circulation and they will honour it even if you don't have one - just ask!)

We moved on to a tub for 9.99 from Toys R Us and then recently I saw a humongous pkg at Costco for $16 that I couldn't leave behind! Now we are set for a loooooooooong time!
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npl
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Thanks!
Sounds like I can avoid an expensive trip to Michaels (though there is something I want to get there for myself) or Scholar's Choice. I'm much better at resisting the urge to buy things the kids ask for at the toy store than the crafts or educational stores!
I keep trying to balance the cost of supplies for ds to keep busy at home with the cost of sending him to a backyard camp. I'm sure if I kept a budget I'd realise that we are still ahead of the game by buying extra paint, paper and crafts, and even some entrance fees for days out. Today's activities so far were painting some wooden shapes that I bought at the dollar store, using paints I bought for the kids' birthday party, then gluing a roof onto the cardboard castle we are making from recyclables. Then we played a counting card game from the dollar store, and went to the supermarket. I promised him cookie baking this afternoon, although it might be much later if he falls asleep.
I could so easily spend a fortune on things we won't get much use from, and I'm trying to watch the costs, but I also think he's spending too much time watching dvds. I'd forgotten how much work it is to keep a 3yo occupied all day!
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realeez
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Did you buy it yet? Want to know if a/o else likes it too!
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