How to Make Beads from Flour and Water

Last Updated: October 21, 2021 Approved

Making simple beads at home with the kids can be as easy as pulling the flour out of the pantry, adding water and being creative with the paints!

Ingredients

4 cups flour
1 cup salt
1 1/2 cups cold water
Food coloring (optional)

Steps

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Knead the "dough" that you've created for 10 - 15 minutes. If it feels flexible when you bend it and does not fall to pieces, it is ready for shaping. ^{[3]
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Take small pieces and work them into ovals, circles, squares, or whatever shape takes your fancy. ^{[4]
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If you are using your beads to turn into a necklace or bracelet, make a hole in the center with a skewer or other thin long object. If you are using the beads for other projects, you may not want to have holes in them. ^{[5]
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Bake the beads in an oven at 250ºF/120ºC for 2 - 3 hours. Check regularly to see how the beads are. They are done when there is no moisture left and they feel hard to the touch. ^{[6]
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Decide which colors you'd like to make your beads and paint them. Include spots, stripes, shapes and other designs on them. Even little people or animal figures can be effective if you have detailed painting skills. ^{[8]
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Community Q&A

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Question

What is the food coloring for?

Community Answer

The food coloring can be used if you want to dye the bead "dough" specific colors. Note that the beads will come out of the oven a lighter shade of the color than the dough was dyed.

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Question

Can I bake the beads for a short time?

Community Answer

Yes, you can but not for less than 1 hour or your beads won't finish. You need to wait and be patient.

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Question

Are these beads water resistant? Do they break easily?

Community Answer

If you use a sealant, such as clear nail polish or Mod Podge, they will be somewhat water resistant, and will not fall apart. If you do not use a sealant, then no, they won’t be water resistant and yes, they will break.

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Tips

You can add food coloring to the dough to make the beads colored.

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Stamping a pattern onto the beads can also be very effective. You can use actual stamps for this but anything with a defined pattern will work.

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Try making marble shapes and playing a game of marbles with specially painted beads. Or think of other games that you might be able to make using the beads.

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Warnings

Don't eat the dough as it's highly salty.

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Always use an oven mitt to remove hot items from an oven.

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Only adults should use the oven. Children should never be allowed to use the oven without adult supervision.

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Things You'll Need

Flour
Salt
Water
Oven
Acrylic or other suitable paint (optional)
Paintbrushes (optional)
Skewer or other long thin object (optional)

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How to Make Beads from Flour and Water

Ingredients

Steps

Community Q&A

Tips

Warnings

Things You'll Need

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References

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