See how to make a felt button snake. This diy button snake is a quick diy toy for kids that can me made within minutes - nearly no sewing skills needed!

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Felt Button Snake
This clever diy button snake is one of the all-time favorite toys among toddlers, encouraging learning buttoning and fine motor skills through play. Easy and quick to make - check it out!
Even if you never sew, you'll love this project. It's quick and totally simple, even appropriate for older kids to make, if they know how to sew by hand. (Of course, adult supervision is recommended when kids work with sharp objects like needles.) Perfect to sew their first button!
Supplies to make a felt button snake
- a button
- a ribbon (the soft, cotton grossgrain ribbon is great!)
- several pieces of (thick) felt
- a sewing needle
Make sure the needle eye is small enough to fit through the holes in the button. preferrably, I just choose the large buttons, and large needles, especially when kids are the ones sewing the button on the ribbon.
How To make a felt button snake
This is a really easy project, and perfect for kids. the older sibling can sew one as a gift to their younger ones. imagine the pride and the feeling of accomplishment when gifting something they've made all on their own!
Step 1 - Sew On A Button
Sew the button to one side of the ribbon. Never sewn a button yet? I've got you covered, check out a quick video how to handstitch buttons.
Step 2 - Finish the other End Of ribbon
Sew a small piece of felt on the other end of the ribbon (to prevent the squares from sliding off the 'snake'). I did it on my machine, but actually hand-sttiching any piece to make the end a bit bulky will work. Perfect for kids to practice!
Step 3 - Cut the Felt Pieces
Cut the pieces of felt to your liking (I chose squares) and cut a buttonhole into the middle portion of each piece.
Step 4 - Cut Slits in the Center of Felt Pieces
Cut slits into the center of your felt pieces, just a bit wider than the button size to enable smooth buttoning.
4) Done - the play can start!
I like button snakes because you can make them in so many colors! I make one here and there, as present for toddlers. And if you're like me, I am nearly 100% sure you want to make one for you too, right now 😉
I hope this tutorial has been helpful. If you liked it, share it or save the image below to Pinterest, so you’ll have this how-to available any time you need to sew a quick diy gift for small kids:
Happy buttoning!
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Melinda McKenry
I made 3 different sets - a square, a triangle, and a circle. I made each set a bag of their own. I am giving to my sister who is a busy "grammy" - with all three under age 2. I believe these "snakes" will be a great quiet activity whether it be in the house or in the car. Thank you for offering the free pattern and great pictures.
Pam
What a cute an easy idea! I work as an Activity Director in a LTC facility. I'll be making MANY sets of these for our dementia residents who need to "fiddle".
Tameka Brown
Cute idea, especially since any shape can be used.
Damjana at AppleGreen Cottage
Thank you, Tameka!
I agree, this button snake has practically no limits 🙂 Have a great day, Damjana
Natasha Johnson
I really like this. We have not done this before. I am going to give it a try.
Damjana at AppleGreen Cottage
Natasha, thank you,
and I hope the kids will enjoy it at least so much as our son does! Let me know how it went! Damjana
AmieJo
I have made something like this for my kids but it was not pretty. I did put it on my blog but like I said it was not pretty. I don't own a sewing machine. I used felt squares, a really cool button, a Popsicle stick and a pipe cleaner. Anyways I love this. They are a great teaching tool.
Damjana
Aimejo,
thank you for your comment. I went to your blog and saw the button snake you made - and no matter what you say, I think you did it great! The big yellow smiley button fits wonderfully, and the popsicle stick at the end of the 'button snake' to prevent felt pieces from falling off is an excellent idea 🙂