Rainy days and fun days will find kids fishing around for beads to make this colorful beaded rainbow fish. Bead crafts are a good way to help develop fine motor skills.

2½ yards ribbon, cord or plastic lacing
1 key ring or lanyard hook
22 light blue pony beads
15 metallic silver pony beads*
9 lavender pony beads
8 medium purple pony beads
6 teal pony beads
6 seafoam green pony beads
5 yellow pony beads
4 royal blue pony beads
4 hot pink pony beads
4 purple pony beads
1 white pony bead
Black sharpie marker or craft paint pen for drawing on center of eye.

Click on printables for the pattern to making this beaded fish. The following are basic beading instructions:

Step 1: Begin by folding your ribbon or cord in half. Using a half hitch, secure it to a key ring or lanyard hook as shown in the diagram.

Step 2: Stiffen each end of the ribbon or cord with scotch tape. The ends should resemble the ends of a shoelace. This will make it easier to lace on the beads.

Step 3: Using the pattern as a guide, lace and weave the beads onto the ribbon or cord as shown in the diagram on the printables page. Make sure that you pull the strands tight after completing each row.

Step 4: Finish by tying off with a double knot. Some patterns may have two knots. The knots are shown on each pattern as small circles. Trim off the excess ribbon or cord and secure the knot(s) with a drop of craft glue.

This craft reprinted courtesy of Evelyn's Beadie Page.