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Gifts Kids Can Make with Perler Beads

December 6, 2023 by Sarah White

Earlier this year I shared some Perler bead projects for kids that includes a couple of fun projects for Christmas, but I also wanted to share some melty bead projects kids can make as gifts.

If you’re like us you have tons of Perler beads (but if you need more here’s a good set) and can always use new ways to use them, so these Perler bead gift ideas are great for kids to make to give of for you to use around the house.

I love the classic melted bead bowl project, which you can see in this list of ideas from Kids Activities Blog. You can use all your leftovers from other projects to make super colorful bowls. There are lots of other great ideas in that list, too, so be sure to check it out.

A different take on the Perler bead bowl is this one from Left Brain Craft Brain, which uses a flat base and layers of rings fused together to make the sides of the bowl. This one uses glue to hold the rings together instead of melting.

Melt beads into discs and you can use them in a DIY mini kaleidoscope project, which would be great to give to another kid or as a stocking stuffer. Check out the instructions for this one at Babble Dabble Do.

Perler bead coasters are super easy to make, and if you have peg boards of different shapes you can make these square, circular or even star-shaped. The designs from Crafty Whatnot would be great for older kids to make, but younger kids can do stripes, color blocking or just place beads at random.

Make tiny designs with melty beads, then add them to a basic melt and pour soap base to make fun soap to give as gifts. I Can Teach My Child mostly used holiday themed designs in the soaps, but you can use whatever designs you like to make washing hands more fun.

Perler Bead Projects for Kids

Perler Bead Snowflake Patterns

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DIY Review: Vintage Milk Can Side Table Makeover – Upcycled Charm with a Story

You know that thrill when you find an old, rusty piece of junk and immediately see its potential? That’s exactly the vibe I got reading the tutorial from A Pretty Happy Home on turning a vintage milk can into a side table. It’s one of those simple yet satisfying projects that blends upcycled charm with real functionality—and adds a whole lot of character to your space.

First off, there’s just something magical about milk cans. They’ve got history. You just know they’ve lived on a dusty farm porch or sat beside a barn door through decades of seasons. In this project, that history gets to shine—literally—after a little elbow grease and creative thinking.

What I loved about this makeover is how unfussy it is. The milk can wasn’t scrubbed within an inch of its life or made to look overly polished. Instead, it got a respectful refresh: a little cleaning, a bit of clear coat to protect the patina, and a sturdy, round wood top to complete the transformation into a DIY farmhouse side table.

The wood top itself was made from leftover pieces—hello, recycled wood projects—which gives this whole DIY an extra eco-friendly touch. It’s a small win for the environment and a big win for anyone who appreciates budget-friendly home decor that doesn’t look cheap.

You don’t need fancy tools or a woodworking shop to pull this off. That’s the beauty of these repurposed furniture ideas—they’re accessible. And they let the vintage pieces speak for themselves. This one, in particular, looks just as good next to a cozy armchair as it would on a porch with a cup of tea and a warm breeze.

The final result? A rustic milk can side table that’s equal parts practical and nostalgic. It’s got that collected-over-time feel that you just can’t buy from a big box store. And as someone who loves giving old things new life, it absolutely inspired me to go digging through the nearest antique store (or maybe my parents’ shed) to see what I can rescue next.

If you’re looking for easy upcycled decor projects, or a way to add authentic farmhouse style without breaking the bank, this tutorial is a perfect weekend project. Honestly, this is the kind of piece that guests will ask about, and you’ll get to say, “Oh, that old thing? I made it.”

And you will say it with pride.

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