An Easy Craft for Kids: How to Make Dancing Ribbons

Make dancing ribbons on a budget with a few simple supplies…an easy craft for kids.   This is a cute party activity and the ribbons can be used for dancing, math and literacy activities.

Here is an easy craft idea for preschoolers.  Kids enjoy using ribbon rings for music and movement activities and even literacy activities.  Let me show you how to make these cute, budget-friendly dancing ribbons.

Craft Supplies

Ribbon

Please note that these ribbon rings are intended to be created and used with adult supervision.   If real ribbon fits into your budget….go for it.  I like to use rectangular plastic table cloths to make inexpensive ribbons.  You can find inexpensive table cloths in a wide variety of colors at the dollar store, discount store, or party store.

Rings

You will also need some type of ring to complete this craft.  Here are some ideas for items that you can use for rings:

• jelly bracelets (looks for them in party favor section of stores)
• plastic lids (cut out a circle in the center)
• small paper plates (cut out a circle in the center)
• chenille stems (tie them into a circle)
• rubber slingshot frogs, bunnies, or other animals

Assemble the Dancing Ribbons

First, you will need to cut the tablecloths into strips or ribbons.  To make the task of cutting the tablecloths easy, DO NOT unfold them all the way.  If you happen to have a rotary cutter, you can cut strips just as you would cut strips of fabric for quilts.  I couldn’t find my quilt cutting supplies, so  I just used a ruler to measure the strips equally , marked them with a pen, and cut them with my scissors.

When I unfolded the strips, I had a bunch of nice, colorful ribbons to add to the rings. Now it’s time, to attach the ribbons to a ring.

Before attaching the ribbons to a bracelet, I folded them in half.  I stuck the folded edge through the bracelet.

Then, I opened the fold to make a loop.  I stuck my hand through the loop, grabbed the other end of the ribbon, pulled it through the loop, and pulled it tight around the bracelet.

Young kids will need some assistance with this.  I like to add 3-5 ribbons to each ring.  If you have enough supplies and kids enjoy the craft, they can add more.  If you want to make the ends even, you can give them a little haircut.

Additional Elements

In addition to the tablecloth ribbons, you can add curling ribbon (I think the addition of silver curling ribbon would look great on mine) to your rings.  Jingle bells might be a fun addition as well.

Paper Plate Variation

If your kids aren’t quite ready to tie the ribbons onto rings like I showed above, they can use a stapler instead.  We used two paper plates to make the ring a little sturdier.  Kids can staple ribbons around the paper plate.  They can then complete their craft by decorating or coloring the paper plate ring.  In the picture below, we used Valentine’s Day stickers, but this craft can be used for any holiday or theme.

Ideas for Using Dancing Ribbons

The thing that I love about these ribbon rings is there are so many fun ways to use them.  Here are a few ideas.

• Use them for a special birthday song during classroom circle time
• Create shapes, letters, or numbers in the air with the dancing ribbons
• Use dancing ribbons to count and emphasize syllables in words or names
• Make them as a party activity and use them as part of the celebration
• Have a parade featuring dancing ribbons
• And you can always use them for a dance party.

There you have it….an easy craft for kids.  I’m sure that you can think of more ways to use dancing ribbons with your kids.  I would love to hear your ideas.

Here are some resources from my store that can be used with the ribbon rings.