Chinese Abacus Craft

We were looking into different types of Abacus to help teach Math with our toddler, Isabella. We looked a the Chinese Abacus and saw a really great advantage to teaching math with it. This craft is super fun, however it is not for toddlers, at all. This craft is perfect for older school aged children maybe 6 and up. Once it is made, it is easily breakable, so it shouldn’t be given to small children who are still exploring the world with their mouths.

What you will need:

– 12 Popsicle sticks
– 7 skewer sticks
– Hot Glue Gun
– 65 beads for lower abacus (5 beads on each stick)
– 26 beads for upper abacus (2 beads on each stick)
– Pliers / Scissors

What to do:

First cut the skewer sticks in half
When you are done you should have 14 of them, but we will only use 13.
Next Clip one end of each Popsicle stick. You should have 12 Popsicle sticks total.
Now we will flush two Popsicle sticks against each other forming a large unit.
Glue each end and attach.
The following I call the locked-in process:
Cover one side of the Popsicle sticks with glue.
Attach all 13 skewer sticks to the large Popsicle stick uniformly.
Add glue on top of the base where the Popsicle sticks and the skewers unite forming a lock around the skewers.
Now Attach two Popsicle sticks on top of the base.
Add 5 beads per row of skewer sticks.
Repeat the locked-in process we used while forming the base of the abacus.
Now add 2 beads per each row.
Repeat the locked-in process we used while forming the base to complete abacus.

Let us know

Did you try this craft with your child? How did you like it? Did you do your own thing to make it even better? Let us know in the comments below! Or share it with us on social media! Tag us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram use the hashtag #bloomingbrilliant