Fun Facts About Friendship Bracelets (That Might Surprise You)

Friendship bracelets aren’t just a fun summer craft—they’re packed with history, heart, and a whole lot of nostalgia. If you ever spent a 90s afternoon knotting string with your best friend (or your entire camp bunk), you already know: friendship bracelets are so much more than just a tangle of floss.

They’ve been around for centuries, they show up in cultures all over the world, and they’ve never really gone out of style. Kids still love making them. And now that we’re the grownups? We get to pass that magic on.

Here are some fun facts you may not know about friendship bracelets—and why this iconic craft still holds a special place in our hearts (and on our wrists).

You might remember them from summer camp or middle school, but the idea of tying knots to symbolize connection goes way back.

Historians trace the roots of friendship bracelets to Central and South America , particularly Indigenous cultures where knotted string was used for ceremonial purposes. In ancient China, decorative knots were a form of art. And in some Indigenous North American tribes, woven or beaded bands symbolized different relationships, stories, or roles within the community.

So while the 90s was our friendship bracelet era, the tradition is actually ancient.

Friendship bracelets started gaining popularity in the U.S. during the 1970s as a symbol of peace and solidarity—especially during protests and social movements. They were often handmade and passed between friends as tokens of support and unity.

By the 80s and 90s, the trend had shifted toward summer camp crafts, BFF gifts, and schoolyard trades—but that original spirit of connection has stuck around.

This is one of the things kids love most: picking the perfect color combo. But did you know that different colors have symbolic meanings?

Here are a few traditional color associations:

• Red – love, passion, energy
  
  

• Blue – loyalty, trust, calm
  
  

• Green – growth, peace, nature
  
  

• Yellow – happiness, friendship, joy
  
  

• Purple – creativity, wisdom, magic
  
  

• Black – strength, resilience, protection
  
  

Whether kids choose based on a message, a favorite color, or just what looks cool—that color choice becomes part of the bracelet’s meaning.

One of the sweetest traditions around friendship bracelets is that once someone ties it on your wrist (or ankle), you’re not supposed to take it off. Instead, you wear it until it naturally falls off on its own.

Why? Because when the bracelet breaks, it means the wish or intention that went into making it has been fulfilled.

Of course, plenty of kids take them off when they’re ready to swap styles—but the idea of a bracelet holding a secret wish is pretty magical, especially for younger crafters.

Most of us learned candy stripe or chevron first, but there are dozens of patterns out there—each with their own look, feel, and level of complexity.

Some easy string bracelet styles kids love today include:

• Candy Stripe – the classic diagonal lines
  
  

• Chevron – a bold “V” down the center
  
  

• Spiral (Chinese Staircase) – twisty and tactile
  
  

• Zigzag – a more playful, bouncy look
  
  

• Square Knot – great for adjustable bracelets
  
  

• Alpha Patterns – used to “draw” words or images with string
  
  

We cover all of these (and more) in the book included with our Introduction to Friendship Bracelets Kit for Kids—because once kids start, they almost always want to try the next one!

Kids might think they’re “just making bracelets,” but they’re learning so much more:

• Fine motor coordination from tying precise knots
  
  

• Pattern recognition by following string placement
  
  

• Persistence and patience as they work toward a finished project
  
  

• Creative expression through color and bead choices
  
  

• Emotional connection when they give a bracelet to someone else
  
  

It’s also something they can improve on. A first candy stripe might be wonky—but by the third one, they’ll be feeling like a pro.

Let’s be honest: even as grownups, there’s something calming (and nostalgic) about tying a friendship bracelet. It’s repetitive in the best way, it sparks creativity, and it brings back that feeling of slow summer days and quiet focus.

A lot of families tell us they end up making bracelets together—and sometimes it’s the parents who keep crafting long after the kids are done. 😇 (That would be me!)

So if you’ve been thinking this looks like fun ... come on, join in!

Like the idea of sharing this screen-free summer tradition with your kids—but don’t love the idea of sourcing all the right string, beads, tools, and instructions?

We’ve got you.

Our Introduction to Friendship Bracelets Kit for Kids includes:

Everything you need. Nothing you don’t.

It’s perfect for beginners, creative kids, or families who just want something meaningful (and fun!) to do together this summer.

Friendship bracelets aren’t just a trend—they’re a tradition. And whether your kids are tying their very first candy stripe or layering on five different styles at once, they’re tapping into something that’s been bringing people together for generations.

If you’re ready to bring that experience into your home this summer, our kit makes it simple—and a little nostalgic too. ❤️