Emily got her first dose of Perler beads while I was away at Blogger Bash. It all started with Oak Hill Country Day Camp, where Emily made her first creation. That very same day she was being picked up by her grandparents from camp to head on down to Rhode Island for a sleepover. Emily somehow persuaded her granddad to take her to her favorite store on earth, Michael’s, to pick out a craft. Guess what she chose? Yup, a whole box of Perler beads and the rest is history.
Getting Started with Perler Beads
Or shop Michael’s Stores online.
We love this food set for getting started.
Emily loves this set, which is already organized by various colors.
When I came down to RI to meet up with them, the Stow kids had made so many wonderful creations and were so excited to show them all to me. Even Owen (age 4) was loving Perler beads.
These little tiny beads keep the whole family busy. Since their first discovery, the Stow kids have spent days creating all sorts of fun things with their Perler beads. Everyone’s gotten in on the Perler bead action, even Granddad, Grandma, Daddy and me! It takes FOREVER and a lot of patience to create the bigger ones. Since that first day, there have been about two more trips to Michael’s to get even more Perler necessities – like the HUGE board to create the HUGE PARROT! The parrot quickly became Daddy’s project and it took a couple of hours!
How to Iron Perler Beads:
After a Perler project has been laid out on the board, it must be ironed to fuse the beads together. Most Perler kits come with a special sheet of paper for ironing. However, regular parchment paper also works great. After placing the paper over the creation, a dry iron on medium heat is used to gently heat the beads until they start to fuse. The beads start to become visible through the paper as they melt. The trick is to iron the entire creation evenly so the beads melt just enough so they stick to their neighbors. Once the first side is fused, the design is carefully removed from the peg board and flipped over for ironing on the other side. Daddy has been doing all the ironing for the Stow kids, here are a few of his tips:
- Keep the iron moving and watch for beads to begin to melt. Keep an eye out for beads that are not melting and apply more heat to those areas.
- Be sure that beads near the edge of a creation are melting enough — especially pointy extensions and beads that only fuse to one other beads.
- Be sure that beads near the middle of a larger creation are melting enough. Nothing’s worse than removing the creation only to have beads fall off.
- Use the tip of the iron to selectively melt stubborn beads (some colors seem to melt at slightly higher temperatures).
- Be careful not to melt the edges of a creation too much. They will start to melt more easily than the middle.
- Be gentle when peeling the paper off the first time, keeping an eye out for loose beads that need more ironing.
- For large creations (like our parrot), work in small sections with a piece of paper smaller than the whole creation. A large piece of paper will tend to lift beads as you iron.
- For large creations, try to make sure there are no beads that haven’t melted and then flip the creation on the board with the paper still attached. Then gently remove the board and use another piece of paper to iron the second side. This should prevent the breakage of any delicate parts or loss of loose beads when flipping.
- After ironing the second side, flip the creation back over and iron the first side again to prevent the creation from curling as it cools.
Perler Bead Creations
Here are some of the kids’ favorite and biggest creations:
Perler Beads are the perfect craft for a rainy day or killing some time in August before the kids go back to school. My kids LOVE them and they are 8, 6 and 4. If you’ve got a younger kid who wants to try Perler beads, they even make BIGGIE beads for those tinier fingers. A Perler bead kid would also make a great birthday present for a crafty kid.
What are your kids into these days? Are you a fan of Perler beads? I know, I know, they end up all over your house and may even be worse than Legos.
You know very well how all your photos and the video these last few weeks has so inspired me to purchase Perler Beads! We’ve become Perler Junkies now!
Caroline Murphy recently posted…Carnival Freedom for Adventurous FUN
I love it Caroline!!!! Did you guys finish the parrot? I need to see!!!! We need a display case!
Annie Stow recently posted…Perler Beads: The Latest Kid Craze
I’m secretly happy my kids don’t know about them yet. I’m not ready to chase around rogue beads with a very curious one year old running around! Glad they are keeping your kids occupied though. 🙂
Emily @Random Recycling recently posted…Calling all Dinosaur Train Fans
My girls would LOVE that rainbow dash one! Thanks for the ironing tips. I always goofed mine up when I was growing up!
Krystyn @ Really, Are You Serious? recently posted…My diaper bag essentials
Wow, those are some pretty impressive creations!! Audrey’s boys love Minecraft AND crafts – I will have to set aside a night to work on that sword with them!
Jane – Mom Generations recently posted…Take the KEY Pledge and Keep your Home Safe
You guys are SERIOUS about your Perler Beads. Eva has a big bucket of them but I think we should look into making some fun pop culture stuff with them,
Drew Bennett recently posted…Skylanders News: Skylanders Mini, Playable Sidekicks in Trap Team
It’s a family affair Drew!
Annie Stow recently posted…Perler Beads: The Latest Kid Craze
Michaels is on our list for tomorrow! Our perler bead collection is looking pretty skimpy and needs some replenishing! FUN!
Lauryn recently posted…7 Tips For a Great Shave and a #SmoothSummer
I remember doing these as a kid and I have always done them with my kids and nieces and nephews. I guess I never realized they went out of style. They are so much fun and the kids keep pretty occupied making things!
Kelli A recently posted…Get “Order Out Of Chaos” Academic Planners for Back To School ~ @orderoochaos
My oldest LOVED making iron on crafts with these beads when she was little.
I just found a couple stuffed in a drawer a few days ago.
Never thought of using them with my little ones now!
What a great reminder.
Heathe Lawrence recently posted…Chocolate Coconut Zucchini Bread
These remind me of something my sisters used to play with when we were young. They also remind me of lite brite’s. Whatever they seem like, I can see them occupying a group of kids for some hours. That sounds like a good idea to me.
Elizabeth Towns recently posted…Mike Brown: It Used to take a Tree and Rope
Looks like a great bunch of fun. Love your designs.
Debbie Denny recently posted…2014 Ecology & Environment Day at Har-Ber Village! Part #4!
I remember having something similar when I was little. They were so much fun but looking back I bet we drove our mom crazy with the constant ironing lol!
Alecia @ Chicken Scratch NY recently posted…Salt Potatoes
My daughter loves these!!
Lisa recently posted…MarbleSpark
Great job! My kids love perler beads. where did you get the large board to put the beads on?
Mama to 5 BLessings recently posted…Create Beautiful Nail Art With Hot Designs Nail Art Pens + Giveaway
I vaguely remember playing with something like this as a kid! I love these crafty type of things! I loved the designs created and think something like this would be perfect for my niece!
Trisha recently posted…Comment on Inspiring Creativity and Imaginative Play with eeBoo Toys and Games! by Mama to 5 BLessings
How have these awesome little beads eluded me all this time? These are awesome. My nieces would really have fun with this.
We love Perler beads! They are one of the few crafts that I really want to sit down and do along with my son, and I’d probably craft with them by myself!
Wendy @ ABCs and Garden Peas recently posted…Sweet, Sweet Freedom with T-Mobile FREE data! #TabletTrio #shop
I am implementing more crafts into my boys routine. I will definitely have to check this out. It looks like something that they would enjoy.
Giveaways 4 Mom recently posted…Walmart Clear Coupon
We have 8345734 perler beads here. My kids haven’t gone as big as yours but I’m sure they will. Love the parrot!
Oh! This is the kind of stuff I liked doing as a kid. Wow! I bet I’d enjoy it now but most of all, I think my niece would love it.
My daughter uses beads to make some really cool looking bracelets. I bet my son would like the Perler Beads to make that Minecraft sword. Pinning it!
Rosey recently posted…Remember my Disney Tote from Pixie Vacations? #Win One of Your Own!
These are such a cute project set. I like how creative it allows children to be.
Janeane Davis recently posted…The Ferguson Shooting and My Son
Oh I’ve seen these in the shop and wondered how easy they would be! I love the parrot and the sword! I bet my little boy would love this!
Oh my this is beautiful and I so have a Michaels near me. I am definitely picking this up. I’m going to be on vacation soon and I sure need something to do with my toddler.
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please please please please please–where did you find the rainbow dash pattern? i neeeeeeeeeeed it.
I think the kids just googled for perler bead patterns!