DIY Stick Wind Chime for Kids: Easy Nature Craft

This colorful DIY stick wind chime is an easy nature craft that toddlers and preschoolers can help create using sticks, pipe cleaners, pony beads, and bells.

Children can collect a stick outside, choose their favorite bead colors, and practice threading the beads before hanging their finished wind chime in the yard. It is a simple way to combine outdoor exploration, creativity, and fine motor practice in one playful activity.

The finished wind chime also makes a cheerful decoration for a backyard, play area, garden, or home daycare outdoor space.

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DIY Stick Wind Chime Craft for Kids

This activity began after a windy day left several small branches scattered around our yard. Since the children were also interested in making crafts with pony beads, we decided to combine the two materials and create colorful wind chimes.

Each child can decorate the stick and choose the colors and arrangement of their beads, so every wind chime will look a little different.

Supplies

• One sturdy stick
• Colorful pony beads
• Pipe cleaners (also called chenille stems)
• Small jingle bells
• String, cord, thin craft wire, or additional pipe cleaners
• Scissors (or wire cutters if not using thin wire; for adult use)
• Optional decorative beads or buttons

Safety note: Beads and bells can be choking hazards. This activity requires close adult supervision and is not appropriate for children who still put small objects in their mouths. Adults should handle scissors, wire cutters, and any sharp wire ends.

How to Make a Stick Wind Chime

1. Find a sturdy stick

Take a short nature walk and invite the children to look for fallen sticks.

Choose one that is strong enough to hold several strands of beads. Avoid sticks that are damp, brittle, splintered, or covered in sharp pieces.

Brush away any loose dirt before beginning.

2. Decorate the stick

Wrap colorful pipe cleaners around the stick.

Children can use one color, alternate several colors, or cover most of the stick. Pipe cleaners are especially helpful for younger children because they are thicker and easier to grip than narrow string.

Leave a little space between some of the pipe cleaners so you can attach the hanging bead strands.

3. Make the bead strands

Give each child a pipe cleaner, piece of cord, or length of craft wire.

Invite them to thread pony beads onto it. Children can make a pattern, group colors together, or simply add whichever beads they like.

For younger preschoolers, shorter strands are usually easier to manage.

4. Add the bells

Attach one bell to the bottom of each bead strand.

Secure the bell carefully so it will not slide off. When using wire, an adult should twist the end closed and make sure no sharp ends remain exposed.

You can also create this craft without bells, although the bells are what give it the wind-chime sound.

5. Attach the strands

Attach the finished bead strands to the decorated stick.

Space them across the stick so they can move freely. We used three strands, but children can add more or fewer depending on the size of their stick.

6. Add the hanger

Tie a long piece of cord to both ends of the stick.

Hold the wind chime up before tying the final knots to make sure it hangs evenly. Adjust the cord as needed.

Hang it from a covered porch, low tree branch, garden hook, or another secure outdoor location.

Learning Through This Nature Craft

Although the finished wind chime is decorative, children practice several useful skills while making it.

Threading beads supports:

• Fine motor control
• Hand-eye coordination
• Pincer grasp development
• Color recognition
• Patterning
• Concentration
• Creative decision-making

Collecting the sticks also adds an outdoor exploration element and gives children a chance to turn an ordinary natural material into something new.

Tips for Making This Craft with Toddlers and Preschoolers

Prepare the hanging materials ahead of time for younger children so they can focus mainly on choosing and threading the beads.

Place the beads in a shallow tray or divided container. This makes them easier to see and helps keep them from rolling off the table.

Don’t worry about creating perfect patterns. Part of the value of the activity is allowing children to make their own choices.

You can also make the strands at different lengths to give the wind chime a more playful, handmade appearance.

For a small group or home daycare activity, give each child their own tray of supplies and write their name on a piece of masking tape attached to the stick.

Wind Chime Variations

Try changing the materials to create different versions of this craft:

• Use natural wood beads for a softer look.
• Create rainbow-colored bead strands.
• Make repeating color patterns.
• Add large buttons between the beads.
• Paint the stick before adding pipe cleaners.
• Use several small sticks tied together.
• Make a bell-free hanging mobile for indoor display.

Can This Wind Chime Stay Outside?

The wind chime can be displayed outdoors, but pony beads, pipe cleaners, string, and craft bells may fade or rust when exposed to rain for long periods.

Hang it in a covered outdoor area or bring it inside during wet weather to help it last longer.

Check the knots and hanging cord regularly, especially after windy weather.

Final Thoughts

This DIY stick wind chime is a cheerful way to combine nature, art, and fine motor play. Children get to explore materials, make creative choices, and display something they created themselves.

It is especially fun during spring or summer, but it can be made anytime you find a good fallen stick during an outdoor walk.

Looking for more crafts and activities? Check out our index for 100+ kids’ activities! Find activities by theme, materials, skills, age, and much more!