Patriotic Pony Beads Craft

Are you looking for a fun and whimsical craft to do this summer?  My kids and I are currently obsessed with pony bead keychains!  These beads instantly take me back to the 90’s, making brightly colored geckos for myself and all my friends. 

This craft is an excellent screen-free activity, and you can easily pack it up and take it with you on a road trip or to the pool! Plus, it is a wonderful way to talk about the 250th Birthday of our country with your kids. 

American Flag Keychain 

Materials

• Pony Bead Lacing
• Key Rings
• 9 Blue Pony Beads
• 18 White Pony Beads
• 22 Red Pony Beads

Optional 

• Washi Tape

  

• Patriotic Ribbon
• Star Beads
• School Glue

Instructions:

1. 1. Cut 2.5 feet of your pony bead lacing and fold in half. 
   2. Attach your folded-in-half lacing to your key ring and loop it to secure. You will have a left and right cord.
   3. Optional step, but very helpful: Tape down the key ring with washi tape to prevent it from sliding. 
   4. Add 7 beads to your left cord (see photo for pattern), starting with the red bead and ending with a blue bead. Thread the right cord and lace it back through the beads in the opposite direction. 
   5. Repeat this pattern for a total of 3 rows.
   6. Continue on the 4th row with 7 beads in a red and white pattern (for the stripes of the flag). 
   7. Once you have 7 rows, tie off each side.  Take the string on each side and tie a surgeon’s knot by looping it under the strand above twice.  
   8. Optional: Using school glue, put a small dab of glue on each knot to prevent it from coming undone. 

Attach patriotic ribbons, star beads, or charms to the key ring.

Bomb Pop Keychain

Materials

• Pony Bead Lacing
• Key Rings
• 12 Blue Pony Beads
• 12 White Pony Beads (I used glitter clear!) 
• 15 Red Pony Beads
• 8 Light Brown Pony Beads

Optional 

• Washi Tape
• Patriotic Ribbon
• Star Beads
• School Glue

Instructions:

1. 1. Cut 3.5 feet of your pony bead lacing and fold it in half. 
   2. Attach your folded-in-half lacing to your key ring and loop it to secure. You will have a left and right cord.
   3. Optional step, but very helpful: Tape down the key ring with washi tape to prevent it from sliding. 
   4. Add 4 red beads (see photo for pattern) to your left cord, then thread the right cord through the last bead and lace it back through the beads in the opposite direction. 
   5. The next row will be 5 red beads, then 6 red beads for the 3rd row. 
   6. Your 4th and 5th rows are 6 white beads each. 
   7. Rows 6 and 7 are 6 blue beads each.
   8. Rows 8 – 11 are 2 brown beads each for the stick of the bomb pop. 
   9. Once you have completed your bomb pop, take the string on each side and tie a surgeon’s knot by looping it under the strand above twice.  
   10. Optional: using the school glue, put a small dab of glue on each knot to prevent it from coming undone. 
   11. Attach patriotic ribbons, star beads, or charms to the key ring

Attach your patriotic keychains to your kids’ backpacks, your car keys, or use it as a purse charm! Interested in doing more crafts with your new pony bead collection?  I love getting ideas from the artist Natalie of Glenwild Art Studios. 

If you make your own pony bead keychains, be sure to tag us on Instagram! We’d love to see it!  

For a full list of supplies for this craft, check out our Amazon Storefront. Disclaimer: We do receive a very small percentage of sales if you choose to purchase through these links.

Come check out The Military Mom Collective Pinterest page to find more crafts to try out.