What do bead animals, bracelets, and pipe cleaner crafts all have in common? If you guessed that you can use pony beads to make them all, you're a winner. And those aren’t the only crafts you can make. You see, those barrel-shaped plastic beauties are so versatile, kids and adults have been using them in crafting for ages. You'll be in good company if you add these colorful beads to your craft supply. And since you can almost always find them at a great price point, you can stock up without breaking the bank. So check out our favorite pony bead picks below, and get crafting. Darice Pony Beads When you think of pony beads, you probably picture something similar to these beads from Darice. They feature the classic barrel shape with a large central diameter, making them easy for your kids to use for almost any project, from stringing necklaces to trying their hand at hair beading. You can get these pony beads in sets of 720 or 1000, so you can buy plenty for all types of crafts. There are several different colors to select from, so you can purchase the ones you want rather than being stuck with certain colors that you’ll never use sitting around collecting dust in your craft cupboard. Instead, you’ll get great beads that your family will be eager to use. Pros: Good quality plastic beads for crafting Large hole that’s easy to fit a needle and thread into for stringing Glossy shine that looks nice on your finished work Can purchase single colors or mixed sets Cons: The plastic bag they come in is thin and tears easily, so you’ll want to put them into something else for storage Not all of the colors are exactly as pictured. Darice Big Value Plastic Pony Beads If you’re looking for a bunch of colorful pony beads your kids will love, this is the kit for you. Inside the bag, you’ll find 1000 assorted beads that are ready for your kids to turn into unique crafts. This set includes a nice variety of colors, giving your kids plenty of design options. If you dump these beads into a storage container and set out some basic craft supplies, your kids will stay busy for hours. And, with so many beads to work with, they’ll be able to create several different projects before you need to buy more. Pros: Plenty of beads for kids to get creative with Good size bead to work with Bulk buy, so you’ll have plenty of beads on hand Cons: There will be some colors your kids don’t really like, so you may have some unused beads The Beadery Giant Crayon Bead Box When your beads are all mixed together in a large container, it’s hard to reach in and select the color you want. If you’re ready to ditch the mess and make beading simpler, you need this box of beads. You’ll get 2300 pony beads that can stay neatly organized by color. You’ll be able to quickly locate the right one and get it out of the box without fuss. And, since the box closes tightly, you can bring your beads along. This way, you and your kids can work on projects away from home. Pros: 2300 beads that’ll keep you busy for a long time Can keep your beads organized by color, so you can see exactly how many of each you have left Storage box is reusable, so you can eventually buy more beads and refill it Cons: There’s a chance your beads will mix together during shipping, so you may need to do an initial re-sort once they arrive Inscraft Pony Beads Set Pony beads are the perfect size for your kids to turn into necklaces, bracelets, and other types of jewelry. If your kids are just getting started experimenting with beading crafts, you’ll want to get them this starter set. In addition to 4,600 colorful pony beads, the collection includes four rolls of elastic string and a handful of cute charms. Additionally, the beads come in a plastic storage box with slots for each color to encourage your kids to stay organized. Altogether, this is a great starter kit that will keep your child busy for hours. Pros: Comes with 4,600 beads, including stars, letters, and more Colorful options with bright, pastel, and translucent styles Includes four rolls of elastic string that are each 6 meters long to give your child plenty to practice with Cons: The string is pretty stretchy and isn’t the highest quality you can get, so if your child remains interested in beading, you’ll want to upgrade this item when they run out Glitter Multi-color Pony Beads Mix If your kids love crafting with glittery things, you have to get them this pack of pony beads. Each of the beads is shiny, sparkly, and sure to become a new favorite in your home. With this bag of 1,000 beads, your child will have plenty to create with. As they design, they’ll see how different colors look next to each other and experiment with bead placement. Once they’re finished, they’ll have a glittering project to show off. They’ll be happy, and you won’t have any spilled glitter to deal with, making it a win-win. Pros: Large hole size makes the beads easy for kids to work with Different color themes available, so if you don’t want glitter, you’ve got other options Excellent price point for 1,000 beads Cons: Some of the colors are similar in shade, so your child will have to carefully look to make sure they’re selecting the one they want Frequently Asked Questions What can you do with pony beads? A better question might be, “What can’t you do with pony beads?” You can use these small plastic beads for so many different arts and crafts projects. You can use them to create a suncatcher or string them onto pipe cleaner to make ornaments, crowns, or animals. Pony beads are also perfect for making bracelets and necklaces. Once you get started crafting with pony beads, you’ll be amazed at how many things you can make. Can kids craft with pony beads on their own? Pony beads are small, so they present a choking hazard for small children. You’ll have to be sure they’re an appropriate choice for your child’s age and development before letting them use the beads at all, let alone by themselves. But otherwise, they’re a fairly safe art supply for most kids to use with minimal supervision.