The Main Altadena Library Community Room will host a DIY String Art workshop on July 9 from 1 to 2 p.m., offering elementary students an opportunity to explore the intersection of mathematics and art. The Lunch at the Library event targets children ages 6-12 and forms part of the Summer Reading program.
“String art requires precise hand movements and hand-eye coordination. As children carefully wrap the string around nails, they develop fine motor skills, finger strength, and control,” according to String Art Laboratory educational content.
The craft activity builds on string art’s educational origins dating back to the 1800s, when British mathematics teacher Mary Everest Boole developed “curve stitching” to help children understand geometric concepts. String art gained widespread popularity as a decorative craft in the late 1960s through hobby kits marketed by Open Door Enterprises, reaching peak popularity in the 1970s.
Children participating in the workshop will develop multiple skills simultaneously. String art requires participants to plan, organize, and execute their designs, stimulating cognitive abilities including critical thinking, decision-making, and problem-solving skills. The activity demonstrates key geometric concepts including planes, points, lines, and grids when materials are arranged in patterns.
“This was one of the better art projects we have done in a while for fine motor skills! I mean, by the end, even my fingers were getting tired. It took good concentration and patience,” noted a Mommy Evolution blogger reviewing string art activities with children.
Safety considerations will be paramount during the workshop. Educational guidelines recommend that younger children be supervised around push pins, toothpicks, and nails, which have sharp points and are choking hazards. The Consumer Product Safety Commission requires choking hazard warning labels on toys containing small parts intended for children ages 3-6.
Commercial string art kits designed for children ages 10 and above typically include pre-printed foam canvases, 60 yards of thread, and 170 pins, with no need for hammers or nails. Paper plate string art provides a safer alternative for younger children, using hole punches and yarn instead of traditional materials.
The workshop supports broader educational goals by allowing children to express themselves through their creations, supporting emotional well-being and boosting self-confidence when they complete projects. String art projects can be adapted for different ages, with 7.5-year-old children able to complete most work independently, requiring adult help only for placing materials in tight corners.
“Learning how to do string art gives them this chance and the results of this wonderful process are always lovely to display no matter what scale you choose!” according to Babble Dabble Do educational blog content discussing the value of teaching children to use tools safely.
The craft demonstrates mathematical principles through practical application. Straight lines positioned in specific patterns create the appearance of curves through the mathematical principle of envelopes, helping children visualize complex geometric concepts.
American artist John Eichinger created geometric string designs called “string mandalas” that were first marketed by Open Door Enterprises in the late 1960s, marking the beginning of string art as a popular hobby. The technique employs colored strings, wool, or wire to form geometric patterns.
DIY String Art, Wednesday, July 9, 2025, from 1 to 2 p.m. at the Altadena Main Library Community Room, 600 E. Mariposa St., Altadena. (626) 798-0833.
