"I would like the kids to make their own name badges. Any cute ideas out there?"

Shrink art was a really popular suggestion for making name badges. So was alphabet noodles and foamies. Our idea using woodsies and Alphabits cereal was inspired by several suggestions from our readers that we combined.

Who needs name tags? These name visors are great for your first craft of the season. The kids love to make and wear them!

Here's some more ideas sent in for from our visitors:

Alphabet Soup
"Glue four mini wooden craft sticks together side by side and put a pin on the back. Decorate them with markers and foam shapes. Glue ABC soup noodles to spell out their names."
--Chris, Virginia

Nature Name Tags
"Look for fallen tree branches about 4" to 6" in diameter. Slice wood discs about 1/2 wide with a chain saw. Drill a hole at the top for a string.  Children can sand the wood and use makers or paint for names and designs."
--Julie J., Pelham, NH

Ransom Name Tags
"Have the kids cut out letters from the old magazines and glue them onto the piece of 2" x 5" cardboard. Glue a pin to the back."
--Mehreen B., St. Louis M.

Cardboard Name Tags
"Have the kids draw a picture on white  cardboard such as a racing car. Have them cut it out, color it and write their names on it. Attach a safety pin on the back."
--Erika, Harrison, New Jersey

Bookmark Badges
"Make name badges in the form of a bookmark.  Put a hole at the top and tie a nice ribbon long enough to put around your neck."
--Rita C., Los Angeles

Index Cards
"Print a name on each card and decorate the border around the name.  Draw a picture on the back of the card. Laminate by covering it with clear shipping tape! The children can either pin their card to their shirt/dress or make a lanyard with yarn and wear it like a necklace.
--Chris O-P, Herndon, VA

Button Badges
"Purchase plastic pin-backed buttons/badges. Snap off the front and decorate a circle of paper, place it on the plastic disk & snap it back together."
--Kris L., Lenexa, Kansas

Foamies
"Foamies are great for name badges. They even come pre-cut in a great assortment of shapes & colors. I have used flowers, airplanes, cars,animals, smiley faces, etc. The kids love to choose their favorite and print their name on them with markers. You can either use double facing tape on the back or glue on a pin."
--Linda, Westland, Mi.

Preschool Idea
"I give my preschool classes small shapes cut from bright paper (squares, triangles,...) and one piece that I have written their name. They lay out a design on clear contact paper and cover with another piece of contact paper. Trim with fancy scissors and use whole punch on top. "
--Roza, Keyport, NJ

Tree Bark Badges
"Make name badges out of a small piece of tree bark that falls from the trees. Use alphabits cereal for the name. Add a pin to the back. Could then be sealed with a water based varnish."
--Diane in Iowa

Mini Chalk Boards
"Use mini chalk boards in any shape. Print your name with a white paint marker. Hot glue a pin back to the back. Decorate the outside frame with mini beads, sequins and lace.
--Dorothy, Arizona

Puzzle Pieces
"Paint large puzzle pieces with spray paint (watch for puzzles at garage sales). Put a pin back on the h Sharpie markers or fabric paints."
--Dawn L., Clinton Township, MI

Fish Name Tags from CDs
"Cut fins out of craft foam and hot glue between two CDs. Drill  two holes at the top for elastic cord. Add wiggle eyes and foam lips. Draw scales with a permanent marker."
Lisa M., St. Louis, MO

Juice Can Lids
"Summer is a good time to save the ends of frozen lemonade & juice cans. The kids can glue a piece of felt on one side and use glitter glue or fabric paint for their names w/ small beads, shells, pasta, etc. for cute designs, or even a photo of themselves. Just glue a pin-back on the other side and they have their own personalized name badge!"
--Connie J., South Lake Tahoe

Alphabet Beads
"String alphabet beads on coiless pins. (Terri's note: see our power pins)"
--Mickey, Ottawa, Ontario

Foam Shapes
"Use a stencil to cut out shapes from fun foam that are theme related. Kids can then use glitter glue,  permanent markers, and sequins to write their names and decorate."
--Leigh, Charlotte, NC

Milk Bottle Caps
"Tape two plastic milk bottle caps together at the top to make a hinge. Decorate the front like a smile face and stick a pin on the back. Write name on a small piece of paper and glue it inside. This makes a happy face badge you can lift up and see the name."
--Lucy S., Teeside

Alphabet Beads & Foamies
"Spell names out with alphabet beads, glue to a foamie shape and hot glue a pin to the back."
--Susan S., Mahwah, NJ

Trefoils for Scouts
"Last year my Brownie Troop made the trefoil with hands in the G.S. promise position as name tags. The patterns are right here on the MakingFriends web site!"
--Mama J.

Small Wood Cut-Outs
"Decorate with paper punch-outs, paint, markers, glitter (whatever!) and write your name in blocky letters. Glue on a pin back."
--C. Martinez, Atlanta, Georgia

Bread Dough
"Make bread dough by mixing 1 tablespoon of Tacky Glue for each slice of white bread with the crusts removed. Knead until smooth, adding more glue if necessary. Roll snakes and form into letters. Pinch letters together. Let dry overnight and paint and glue on a pin."
--Chris O, Long Beach, CA

Shrink Art and Foam
"Make a name badge out of shrink art. Cut a shapes out of foam and glue the shrink art to the foam shape layering different foam shapes. Decorate with punch outs. Apply a pin back."
--Mary K. J., Chicago, IL

Paper Doll "Friends
"Use the paper dolls from this website. (Terri's note: See our Neck Hangers) Make the "friend" look like the child who will be wearing the nametag! The kids could even help!!"
--Sharon R., New Jersey

Collage Name Badges
"Cut out shapes from card stock paper. Have kids cut out pictures from magazines showing things they like to do and glue them on the paper. Write names on them and laminate."
--Janet T., Dacula, GA

Woodsies
"Paint different shapes of woodsies in different colors. Use a white paint pen and write a letter on each woodsie. Glue two craft sticks together side by side to make it wider. Glue the woodsies on the craft sticks. Glue on pin on the back."
--Martie H., Rex, Georgia

Arrows Pointers
"Make a red arrow 5" by 2". Write the child's name on the arrow. Pin it on the child's shirt so the tip of the arrow is pointing at the child's face."
--Angewoman, Quebec , Canada

Shrink Art
"Write name large on shrink it plastic. Cut it out with decorative scissors and decorate. Punch a hole. Shrink it and lace brightly brightly colored rat tail cord through the hole for necklaces." --Lorraine P., Canal Fulton, Ohio