Hama Beads come in 3 sizes

Midi Hama Beads 5+ – commonly available in shops (but a much wider range at CRAFTMERRILY!!!!)

My First Hama (formally Maxi Hama Beads) 3+ a large chunky bead, ideal for little siblings to play with while their older siblings work with the Midi ones. The picture above is of my 16 month old enjoying them; I MUST STATE CLEARLY they are suitable for free play from 3+, but my little one enjoys them under total 100% supervision.

Mini Hama Beads 10+ to adult – a perfect move on from the Midi Hama Beads; Mini beads are tiny, just fitting on the end of a sharp pencil and most easily likened to a cross-stitch. For a child ready to move on who still loves Hama, they are a great challenge.

IDEAS FOR USING THE DIFFERENT SIZES OF BEADS.

Midi – school or educational projects on animals, colour, pattern, geography, cultural art, sea, space. Room nameplates, mobiles, suncatchers, wall decorations, coasters, picture frames, boxes, Christmas decorations, card fronts.

My First Hama (Maxi) – They are also perfect for threading, sorting and sprinkling on the floor for mummy to stand on! I ALMOST NEVER IRON these beads, i think they are a great toy and little ones don’t need to see a finished, ironed product, so although they cost more, 500 can last a very long time. (There, what an honourable retailer i am!) Fabulous for early counting and shape and pattern exploration.

Mini – They are perfect for following stitching designs and making card fronts, scrapbook embellishments or window decorations and mobiles. Can be frames behind glass, mounted on fabric, hung as delicate tree decorations and used to create delicately coloured decorative room borders.