Make a UV Beads Bracelet
UV beads are one of our favorite activities! Once kids see the uv beads change color and then return to their "clear" color, it's game on! It's fun to find ways to keep the beads from changing colors while outdoors. And everyone will want to make more than one bracelet!
Equipment
- UV beads At a minimum, I recommend giving each child 12 uv beads. The bead colors vary, so a minimum of 12 ensures they get at least one of each color.
- Chenille sticks
Instructions
- Give each student at least 12 beads.
- String the beads onto the chenille stick and close off the ends either as a bracelet or bent into another shape. (We've had students link chenille sticks and make necklaces.) Just let everyone have fun with this project!
- Test different ways to make the beads return to their "clear" state and then change colors. Place them in the sunlight, then in the shade. Place them under a jacket, or black construction paper, or a box. Go inside, then put them near a sunny window, near a shaded window. Put them outside for awhile then go into a darkened closet or room, do they glow in the dark. (Ours did.) Put sunscreen on them? Does this help? Test them over different days--when it's sunny, when it's cloudy, at night. What's also interesting is to test them on a sunny winter day vs. a sunny spring or summer day...at the same time of day. Take photos so you can compare the intensity of the colors in winter vs. summer.
