Kids can learn so much when taking part in weaving activities and crafts. Keep on reading to find out how to make your own popsicle stick weaving looms!
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Weaving provides a wonderful opportunity for kids to discover patterns and textures and to encourage growth in fine motor skills and eye hand coordination. That’s why I love having these homemade looms in our home for the kids to use any time of day! (This post contains affiliate links.)
Weaving with a Homemade Popsicle Stick Loom
We have a large weaving loom we use at home. I always leave a basket of fabric and ribbons nearby as an invitation to the kids to weave. Having this large loom inspired me to create some similar looms for the kids to weave with, but that were small and easy to manage individually.
After some trial and error, I found what worked best was hot gluing four popsicle sticks together into a square. I then cut one long piece of sting and wrapped it around the sticks, creating a mini-loom. After I had adjusted the lines of string along the sides just how I liked them, I added a drop of glue on the string where it wrapped around the popsicle sticks to help hold it in place.
I cut up some shorter pieces of fabric, ribbon and yarn and placed them into a bowl next to the little looms for the kids to use.
It’s been so fun watching the kids quietly interact with the looms. I can hear Lucy talking to herself as she adds some ribbon to her creation, “over, under, over, under…”.
Theo loves to jump in and assist her!
I love how they look when finished! We often place them on our mantle to display before reusing them for more weaving.
The popsicle stick weaving looms have stood up very well to both kids using them. We haven’t had one come apart yet, although I do have the hot glue gun nearby just in case!
These would make a wonderful addition to a classroom. Think of what a fun center it would be~ allowing kids to create art while working on fine motor skills at the same time!
They’ve also been a fun addition to our home!
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Asia Citro says
May 22, 2013 at 6:56 pmGORGEOUS. Pinning.
Chelsey says
May 23, 2013 at 1:28 pmThank you for the pin, Asia!
Suzy says
May 22, 2013 at 7:37 pmI’ve been struggling to find something inexpensive that LittleMan could use for his weaving practice. This is the perfect DIY solution to my problem! Thank you!
Found you via Its Playtime.
Chelsey says
May 23, 2013 at 1:28 pmThank you, Suzy! I hope you enjoy making and using them. They’re so much fun!
The Monko says
May 23, 2013 at 12:40 pmwhen i went to visit the montessori school we are hoping to send my son to, they had a giant loom and ribbons in the garden space which the kids can go into when ever they want. It was one of the features that just made me feel the school was so right for him. I love the mini looms – I might have to find slightly stronger sticks as Goblin is incredibly talented at destruction.
Chelsey says
May 23, 2013 at 1:27 pmThat school sounds so beautiful! Having the loom in the garden…. wow! Love it! Keep me posted on any looms you come up with~ I bet they’d be beautiful made with real sticks.
Sam @ Thrive 360 Living says
May 23, 2013 at 2:24 pmChelsey – these are absolutely beautiful. I want a whole wall filled with them. I love too that it’s so easy to make the frame. Great activity. Pinned.
Tara from The Magnolia Barn says
May 23, 2013 at 2:33 pmJust pinned your idea, love it!
Monica says
May 23, 2013 at 9:00 pmWhat a great teaching tool! Pinned this. I think my MOPS friends would love this! Join us for Family Fun Friday. Share your posts with 100+ bloggers and 400+ readers.
http://happyandblessedhome.com/category/family-fun/
Thanks!
Monica
Linda@With A Blast says
May 23, 2013 at 9:23 pmThis is a great craft idea for kids and it will definitely improve their attention skills as well !
Chelsey says
May 28, 2013 at 4:36 pmThat is a good point, Linda. Lucy is really so focused when she’s working.
Katie @ Gift of Curiosity says
May 24, 2013 at 8:57 amThis is great! Thanks for the inspiration to have my kids try to some weaving!
Chelsey says
May 28, 2013 at 4:36 pmThanks, Katie! I hope you all get the chance to start trying soon~ so much fun!
Gina Wamsley says
May 24, 2013 at 9:28 amMy girls will absolutely love this! Thank you so much for sharing. I’d love for you to visit my site if you have time. 🙂
Gina
Kirstylee says
May 24, 2013 at 11:29 amThis is so awesome. I was just thinking it would be fun to do weaving for a 4th of July activity, but I wasn’t sure where to start. Now, I have the perfect way to make my own loom. Thanks!
Chelsey says
May 28, 2013 at 4:35 pmThank you! I hope you get the chance to make your own, it’s been so much fun. Please share if you do! 🙂
Emma says
May 24, 2013 at 12:29 pmWhat a fun idea, I would never have thought of using ribbon.
Chelsey says
May 28, 2013 at 4:34 pmThanks, Emma. It was fun using our leftover ribbons, now I’m wondering what else we can use. There are so many possibilities!
Julie says
May 24, 2013 at 1:10 pmWe love weaving too. In fact I have a weaving section on my craft page. You are right in that the craft is good for any age. There are plenty of adults that weave for their hobby. We haven’t used ribbon like you did. I’ve seen similar projects with paper, but I think the ribbon comes out much nicer.
http://highhillhomeschool.blogspot.com/p/crafts.html
Chelsey says
May 28, 2013 at 4:33 pmI will have to check out your weaving section, Lucy is really enjoying it! (Actually, so am I!)
Sheila says
May 24, 2013 at 11:51 pmHi there, Thanks for this post! My daughter really misses weaving from her kindergarten years and we have been trying to find a reasonably priced one that is of good quality. We made the mistake of buying a cheap lap loom in the store and it ended in tears and frustration. We’ll be making a trip to the States soon, so maybe we can get the classroom loom that you have here.
Chelsey says
May 28, 2013 at 4:33 pmI really do love this loom we have. It’s even lasted being knocked over and climbed on by my 1 year old!
Bek @ Just For Daisy says
May 25, 2013 at 3:23 amThese are fabulous! 🙂 I can’t wait to try! 🙂
jackie says
May 25, 2013 at 9:15 amWow! Ok, I am in LOVE with your large loom, but these mini loom are just fabulous too! Pinning, and you can be sure we’ll be making some of our own here! Thanks so much for linking up with use today, Chelsey!
Jennifer Tilston says
May 25, 2013 at 12:27 pmWhen they fill the loom is it then done? Or is there a way to take the creation off? I’m thinking of a patchwork tapestry for my daughters class to do as a whole. Any thoughts?
Chelsey says
May 25, 2013 at 1:26 pmWhat a neat idea, Jennifer! I hadn’t designed the looms in a way for the finished project to be removed, but I’m trying to think of a way. I know if you used one longer pieces of yarn or ribbon and just wove them back and forth, that would secure the sides, but still doesn’t take care of the top and bottom. I’ll post your question on the Buggy and Buddy Facebook page and see if anyone else can contribute some suggestions.
Chelsey says
May 25, 2013 at 2:20 pmJennifer, one of my friends wondered if your idea would work if you used pipe cleaners in place of the string? Maybe they would be easier to remove from the popsicle sticks, and then the ends could be twisted together to attach all the different woven pieces? An interesting idea!
Chelsey says
May 25, 2013 at 8:49 pmI’m going to add one more reply from a good friend on Facebook. Love her idea! “There are sticky backed stabilizers that can hold the woven fabric, ribbon or yarn together. You then sew across the items and wash the stabilizer away. I’ve seen it done at quilting shows. Check out the Sulky brand stabilizers. ” – Heather
Lindsay says
May 25, 2013 at 1:40 pmWhat a great idea! what age Do you think that I could start to do this with my daughter….. she is almost 2.
Chelsey says
May 25, 2013 at 1:50 pmThank you, Lindsay! Doing weaving correctly would be something children can start becoming successful with around 4. But, you can still do this with your daughter, just a bit differently. My son is 22 months and loves participating! Our large loom is big enough that he can just stick pieces of fabric between the strings and enjoys it, but the little loom can be a bit frustrating for him to get the pieces to stay. To make the small loom easier for an almost 2 year old, you’ll want to wrap the strings in a criss-cross pattern or even just haphazardly like a cobweb. That will make the pieces of yarn or fabric more likely to stay. At the end of next week I’ll be doing a guest post very similar to what I’m describing!
Emma (My Little 3 and Me) says
May 25, 2013 at 2:00 pmThese are just lovely and the perfect size to keep them motivated to the end.
Sugar Aunts says
May 25, 2013 at 6:21 pmThis is amazing fine motor and visual motor practice! Thanks for linking up to Share It Saturday!
Colleen at Sugar Aunts
katepickle says
May 25, 2013 at 10:52 pmLove the mini loom… just the right size so that the weaving comes together quickly!
Chelsey says
May 28, 2013 at 4:24 pmThank you, Kate! I agree, it’s a fun size, nice and small. The kids can do it over and over without tiring too easily!
Kristen S- Craft Gossip says
May 26, 2013 at 6:32 pmI love this idea, who knew how simple it was to make one! Just posted on Craft Gossip!
http://lessonplans.craftgossip.com/?p=8174
Lula B @ www.navigatingbyjoy.com says
May 27, 2013 at 7:10 amWhat a brilliant idea – we have an enormous box of popsicle sticks and my daughter loves doing ANYTHING with string so I think she will love this.
I too was wondering about removing the finished design from the loom, so thank you for your full replies to Jennifer 🙂
Lucinda (via Hobbies & Handicrafts)
Ann @ My Nearest and Dearest says
May 27, 2013 at 8:35 amI love how simple the mini looms are to make. I think I’ll make one this afternoon while my daycare kids are napping. It would be the perfect quiet time activity for my son. Thanks for sharing this great idea!!
Chelsey says
May 28, 2013 at 4:22 pmThank you so much, Ann! You’re right, it really is the perfect quiet time activity~ very peaceful. I hope your son enjoys it!
Sarah says
May 28, 2013 at 12:19 pmHi, just wanted to let you know that I love this activity! I’ve pinned it to my board at http://pinterest.com/slashbrook/ and I will definitely be doing this with my kids in the near future. My daughter will love it!!
Chelsey says
May 28, 2013 at 4:16 pmThank you so much for pinning, Sarah. I hope you guys enjoy it! I’d love to see how any future loom art turns out! 🙂
Jackie@My Little Bookcase says
May 29, 2013 at 5:27 amI love this idea. I’m going to make one to pack in our cafe busy bags. Thanks
Natalie says
May 29, 2013 at 5:59 amThanks so much for linking up week for week, I look forward to seeing what you share with us this week on Tutorial Thursdays Linky Party :).
x
Natalie
Marigolds’ Loft
Isil says
May 29, 2013 at 2:11 pmThis is so beautiful and a great tool for developing fine motor skills. Thanks for sharing.
Katie says
May 30, 2013 at 12:06 amI’ve been meaning to do weaving with my kids for ages, thanks for reminding me how much fun it can be for them. And for the tips in the comments about keeping it together when done!
Carrie says
May 30, 2013 at 8:23 amWhat fun!! I love the idea of a homemade one. We will definitely have to try this. Thank you for sharing at Sharing Saturday!!
Mary Catherine says
May 31, 2013 at 6:35 pmI have gushed and gushed about this activity! I just cannot wait to try it out both at home and at school!! 🙂 The picture makes me smile every time I see it. Thanks for linking up at Stress-Free Sunday last weekend. I’ll be featuring this post at the next one!
Rebecca says
June 1, 2013 at 1:56 amGreat activity!
Just letting you know I’ve featured these on The Sunday Showcase this week: http://www.herecomethegirlsblog.com/2013/06/01/the-sunday-showcase-summer-school.html
Debs says
June 3, 2013 at 8:34 pmSuch gorgeous photos! Thanks for linking this to Tuesday Tots. I’ve featured it this week on Learn with Play at Home 🙂
Brenna says
June 12, 2013 at 3:39 pmThis reminds me of a weaving class I took in college. So much fun and a stress-relieving class along with other harder, more demanding classes. I made placemats and coasters and a belt.
Chelsey says
June 18, 2013 at 12:04 amThat sounds like it was a fun class, Brenna! You are right~ very calming and good for relieving stress.
Varya @ CWOV says
July 16, 2013 at 8:33 pmLove weaving! For ABCs series I also posted about weaving and I made ours differently from a piece of cereal box. Now that I see how you made yours, I am thinking of trying the skewers sticks to make a similar one. No hot glue here though – would need to check the hardware store for that.
Claire says
September 27, 2013 at 4:14 pmThis is awesome!! Will definitely have to make these to use as a center with the preschoolers and primary schoolers I see for occupational therapy! What a fun (and pretty!) way to work on fine motor skills! Thanks for the great idea!!
siqiniq says
November 21, 2013 at 3:51 amHow do you take the weaving off the loom?
Jeanine says
January 20, 2014 at 4:00 pmJust found this post linked on January Babble Dabble Do’s Post! First time I have seen your space & happy I have! This project is very inspiring. We don’t have Popsicle sticks right now but, we do have TONS of sticks from nature walks–We’ll improvise & use those for re-creating this craft! Thank you again! Jeanine 🙂
Chelsey says
January 20, 2014 at 4:07 pmYay! So glad you are here! I bet this project would look even MORE amazing with sticks from outdoors. Hope you enjoy it and would love to see some pictures of it if you’d ever like to share! 🙂
Lisette says
April 6, 2014 at 9:20 amLove these! Great idea Chelsey!
Nia Lorre says
March 8, 2017 at 12:25 pmI found this looking for ideas for recycling my sewing fabric scraps. The plan is to make kits for teachers and give them away. This is an EXCELLENT idea. Thanks for sharing it.