Have fun with this Popsicle stick Abacus for kids craft along with teaching how to use an abacus. Great educational fun for kids of all ages.

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Do you have young kids learning to count or kids that struggle with simple math like addition and subtraction? Then it’s time to add a fun factor to math!

It can be a struggle for some kids or even those that don't struggle, seeing it visually can always help. I came up with this simple abacus craft to help parents, teachers, and myself make kids learn these skills visually in the easiest ways.

How did it go? It was an instant success! I just had to teach my kids how to move the beads to the other side to add or subtract numbers, and now they do their math homework on their own in minutes!

abacus program for concentration levels and mental math skills

Abacus Definition

An abacus is a calculating tool dating back to ancient times. It is also known as a counting frame. The basic concept of the abacus is that it is a math tool or counting tool to help make simple arithmetic calculations like addition and subtraction.

A proper abacus can also help in more complex math problems like multiplication, division, and fractions. They can also help teach square roots and cube roots. This

The word abacus comes from the Latin word ‘abax’ which means flat surface or table. The ancient abacus would be a flat board where rocks and shells were moved from one side to the other to help solve math problems. Today, they typically have a wood frame with beads on threads or metal rods holding the beads.

Why Make Abacus Craft?

The first and foremost reason to make this abacus craft is to teach your kid basic math operations in a way that doesn’t seem too dull. With so many colorful beads threaded together between popsicle sticks, your kids have a cute little calculating tool to do simple addition and subtraction. There’s no way they’ll find it boring!

Secondly, you might think that making an abacus is hard work. Believe me; this is one of the easiest crafts there is! It’s so simple and easy that your kids can even make it themselves with your guidance.

Thirdly, crafts are an excellent way to let your creativity out. It helps kids use their imagination to come up with innovative ideas, develop fine motor skills, and recognize colors and textures.

You can make this abacus tool any day, any time, as it takes hardly 30 minutes. Plus, you can also encourage your kids to make one for their friends or teacher as a gift.

How to Use A Simple Abacus

A simple abacus is a great way for an early age little learner and younger children to learn to count. The act of sliding the bead from one side to the other while you count with them will show them visually each of the numbers and place values on those numbers.

Once they are able to count in elementary schools and ready to learn the simple concepts of math, showing them the abacus can help them in coming up with the right answer. Simple abacus maths like addition from the first row to the second by moving the beads over. Times tables using each of the rows.

If there is a mathematical problem, it can be solved visually through abacus activities. We have some additional resources to help with mathematical skills including Making 10 Worksheets, Easter Multiplication Math Game, and Kindergarten Measurement Worksheets.

Popsicle Stick Crafts

This popsicle stick abacus craft is pretty easy to make and requires just 6 everyday items. You'll need scissors, glue, thread, beads, a ruler, and popsicle sticks.

The popsicle sticks are for making the frame of the abacus. You can use popsicle sticks of the same color or different colors. The thread is to hold the beads. You will require 5 equal pieces of thread, and the number of beads on each piece is supposed to be 10. My version of the mathematical tool is better for young age kids but still works at helping your kids flex their right brain.

Don't miss our full list of fun Popsicle Stick Crafts

Supplies For Abacus

Popsicle Sticks
Beads
Thread/String
Hot Glue Gun
Scissors
Ruler (optional)

How To Make an Abacus

glue four popsicle sticks together for abacus frame

Start with four craft sticks. Place two craft sticks horizontally (or going sideways). Then place a dab of hot glue in each of the corners and place the third and fourth popsicle sticks on each of the corners on one side creating a square or frame.

Next, take your thread or fishing line, wire or fishing line, and measure out the width of the frame. Cut 5 pieces. Start with one piece of thread, and add your colorful beads to the thread. I recommend either 5 or 10 depending on the size of your beads.

hot glue first bead thread to abacus frame

Glue each of the ends of the beaded thread to the top portion of your frame.

*If you want precise spacing between threads, use the ruler to evenly space out five spots between the top and bottom popsicle sticks of your frame. Remember to leave space for your beads to move back and forth.

Next, add the bottom beaded thread to the frame with hot glue. This will help with spacing for the remaining three strands.

glue remaining threads to frame of abacus

Add the other three strands of beads to the frame.

glue additional popsicle sticks to glued threads

The last step is to hot glue another popsicle stick over the vertical (up and down) popsicle stick covering the hot-glued ends of the thread. Making it clean and ready for abacus learning!

Happy Crafting!

We highlighted this Rainbow Craft along with some other fun kid's crafts in our March Crafts along with our 101+ Kiddie Craft Ideas.

You also do not want to miss our 101+ Printable Coloring Pages For Kids and 101+ Printables For Kids full of Crafts and Coloring Pages.

Other Popsicle Stick Crafts You'll Enjoy

Abacus for Kids

Have fun with this Popsicle stick Abacus for kids craft along with teaching how to use an abacus. Great educational fun for kids of all ages

Course Kids Crafts

Cook Time 20

Total Time 20

Author Alli Ward

Equipment

Hot Glue Gun
Hot glue
Scissors
Ruler (optional)

Ingredients

Popsicle Sticks
Thread Wire, or Fishing Line
Colorful Beads

Instructions

Start with four craft sticks. Place two craft sticks horizontally (or going sideways). Then place a dab of hot glue in each of the corners and place the third and fourth popsicle sticks on each of the corners on one side creating a square or frame.
Next, take your thread or fishing line, wire or fishing line, and measure out the width of the frame. Cut 5 pieces. Start with one piece of thread, and add your colorful beads to the thread. I recommend either 5 or 10 depending on the size of your beads.
Glue each of the ends of the beaded thread to the top portion of your frame.
Next, add the bottom beaded thread to the frame with hot glue. This will help with spacing for the remaining three strands.
Add the other three strands of beads to the frame.
The last step is to hot glue another popsicle stick over the vertical (up and down) popsicle stick covering the hot-glued ends of the thread. Making it clean and ready for abacus learning!