String a Fall Necklace

The girls and I spent one morning collecting fall seeds and beans--even a milkweed pod or two--then stringing them into necklaces. Arcadia was so enthusiastic about the process that she ended up a seed princess, with one string of beads on her neck and another on her head as a crown. Kids under age seven can try this activity with your help, especially if they place the seeds on a flat surface and you help pierce the seed with the needle.

Assorted seeds, beans, corn (as described below)
Bowl of hot water
Colander
Heavy thread
Embroidery needle

The first step is to soften up your "beads" by soaking them in water. If you're using Indian corn kernels or dried beans (black and kidney beans work well), soak them overnight. For seeds--we've tried sunflower, pumpkin, squash and watermelon--first rinse, then soak them in hot water for about 15 minutes or until soft enough to poke a needle through the center. Drain and pat dry.

Double-thread the needle to the desired length of your child's necklace (big enough to fit over her head), then knot the ends together, leaving a tail. Your child can string the seeds and beans onto the thread. Leave enough room to tie the end of the thread to the tail. Let your necklace dry in a sunny spot for a day or two.