Learn how to make a dazzling DIY fairy wand from plastic pony beads! These kids’ fairy wands make great gifts, party favors, and pretend play accessories!
Do you have a little fairy in the house just pining for some fairy wands to love? These easy DIY fairy wands were a big hit with my girls and their friends and are also great for parties!
How to Make a DIY Fairy Wand with Pony Beads
MATERIALS
- Translucent pony beads
- And/or glitter pony beads
- Star-shaped metal cookie cutters
- Metal baking sheet or cake pan
- Aluminum foil
- Electric/gas grill or toaster oven (preferably outside)
- Wooden dowels
- Hot glue gun
- Acrylic jewels/gems (optional)
INSTRUCTIONS
Step #1. Fill cookie cutters with beads
First place cookie cutters on a foil-covered baking sheet and fill the star with the pony beads of your choice.
Step #3. Melt the Beads
Cook for 5-10 minutes at 400-450 degrees F (200-230 C). I used an electric grill but a toaster oven outside works well also. The time will vary depending on the size of the stars and the temperature. I set my timer for 5 minutes and then checked it frequently after that.
Note: The fumes from melting plastic are not good to breathe, which is why we do the melting step on the grill outside. If you decide to do this inside, make sure to ventilate properly.
Step #3. Remove from cookie cutters
Next, remove the tray when the beads are completely melted and flat (ideally). Be careful not to allow it to get too hot and start to bubble. Allow the stars to cool completely then pop the stars out of the cookie cutters.
Step #4. Glue dowel to star
Then, use a hot glue gun to attach the wooden dowels to the backs of the stars. You could also tie a ribbon to each wooden dowel as well.
Step #5. Pick Jewels
Now let your kids sort the jewels by color. :) (I decided to add a little extra bling with some acrylic “jewels”. Daphne and Maia went gaga over the jewels and took over this step completely.)
Choose the ideal jewel for the center of each fairy wand.
Step #6. Glue jewel on wands
Place a jewel in the center of each fairy wand.
And glue the acrylic jewels to the center of the star wands with a hot glue gun. (I did this step.) Now admire your lovely new handmade fairy wands!
Maia passed the wands out at the end of Daphne’s party.
Each princess and fairy left the birthday party with a crown they decorated (similar to these flower crowns but with jewels and glitter) and a colorful DIY fairy wand.
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18 Comments
Jenn Baker in SC
September 18, 2013 at 10:54 amThese are awesome!
earleyml
September 18, 2013 at 1:05 pmSo cute! You could even add some ribbon to them. I’ll have to remember this for later in the spring when the girls have a prince/princess day at daycare. Maybe I’ll make a few extra for their classes.
Oh I mentioned in another post about buying pony beans with coupons. I got 2 1lb bags for $5.99. I thought that was a pretty good deal. Now we are all stocked up for making cool projects. Going to start our pumpkin one tonight. YAY!
Sarah m
September 18, 2013 at 3:47 pmThese are just perfect for this type of party–what a great idea for a fun project for (cool) party favors. She looks like such a little birthday queen!
Sarah M
gidgets bookworms
September 18, 2013 at 11:51 amso much fun and so affordable also!
Happy birthday, can’t believe she is 4 in a few years she is going to be a kindergartener! Wow where does the time go.
behindtheolivetree
September 18, 2013 at 11:34 pmGlad the cookie cutters worked out for you! We’ve been having so much fun with our cookie cutter suncatchers.
Nancy
September 19, 2013 at 1:04 pmHappy Birthday Daphne! It looks like you had a very special day. It also looks like Mom is having a lot of fun with this technique. Are Christmas tree decorations up next?
Jean Van't Hul
September 19, 2013 at 1:52 pmThanks, Jenn!
Jean Van't Hul
September 19, 2013 at 1:53 pmExactly!!
Jean Van't Hul
September 19, 2013 at 1:53 pmGreat! I usually get them on sale or with coupons as well.
Also, I like the idea of adding ribbons to the wands! Thanks!
Jean Van't Hul
September 19, 2013 at 1:53 pmThanks, Sarah!
Jean Van't Hul
September 19, 2013 at 1:54 pmYes, we’ve made quite a few cookie cutter suncatchers now — it works great, doesn’t it?
Jean Van't Hul
September 19, 2013 at 1:55 pmYep! We made some Christmas tree decorations last year (with cookie cutters) and will make some more this year! :)
Mandy Judge
September 28, 2013 at 2:45 pmWow this is Brill, can’t wait to have a go!! Do I have to buy special Beads? Mandy U.K
Kel
February 2, 2014 at 12:39 amThese are amazing! Have you tried to swirl the plastic while it’s still hot to create even more patterns? I might have to try this once the weather gets warmer, not sure what below zero temps would do…
Katy
May 20, 2014 at 3:21 pmLove it … I wish I had a little girl :) I just sent it as an idea for a friends fairy themed birthday party!
Angela @CreatifulKids
May 21, 2014 at 4:10 pmSo beautiful!
Amanda
June 21, 2014 at 9:16 amI love how adorable these are! I shared them on Facebook the other day and everyone loved them! https://www.facebook.com/CraftsbyAmanda/photos/a.353593675216.349539.323548680216/10154284794900217/?type=1
Carolyn Fry
February 10, 2020 at 1:56 pmDo you think it would work to drill a hole the size of a small dowel rod in the inside corner of the star cookie cutter inserting the dowel before baking? I wonder if it would still need hot glue?
Thoughts?