Totally Awesome 3D Perler Bead Pikachu and Squirtle (Free Patterns)

If you are OBSESSED with Pokemon then you gotta check out today's awesome Pokemon Craft.  Yup.  We made a 3D perler bead Pikachu AND Squirtle.    They're like little adorable puzzle cubes of fun. Swoon, craft-loving friends, swoon!

3D Perler Bead Pokemon Creations!

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Materials Needed:

• Perler Beads
• Hot Glue Gun (Optional)
• Small Googly Eyes (Optional)

How to Make a 3D Perler Bead Pikachu:

I love me some colorful plastic beads and I've tried a TON OF Perler bead crafts over the years. But this one is special because it's 3D.  (Full disclosure- Prior to writing this post, I never tried this type of perler bead-puzzle design before.  I just figured it was too hard.  Boy, was I wrong.)


(Oooh! I just want to squeeze their little plastic cheeks.)

My son found this Pikachu Pattern here first and after making several versions of it, we were hooked. I give full credit to the website for the design, so check it out for the exact pieces.

Here's how we put the pieces together.
(Two sides--> Top --> Bottom --> Back/Tail)

Note:  As you can see, my tail is different from the original design.)

How to Make a 3D Perler Bead Squirtle:

Once we made a Pikachu, we easily adapted the design to create Squirtle too.  (As you can see, the pieces are almost exactly the same.  Only the coloring is different.)

(Head, Two sides,  Bottom + Top, Tail and Rear)

Here are some photos of how to put the pieces together.
(Face/Top --> Bottom --> Sides --> Tail)

And here are some tips that we learned along the way.  Hopefully they'll save you from some heartache-

Tips for Creating Awesome 3D Perler Bead Pokemon:

1.  Make sure the pieces are securely ironed together before you start popping pieces together.  It's always heartbreaking when beads fall off while you're actually building the Pokemon.

2.    Don't iron the pieces too thin.  They won't snap together nicely.  (We learned this after I ironed a Bulbasaur super flat.  RIP, plastic friend.)

3.  If the pieces don't stay in place, Hot Glue Gun the buggery out of it.  (Hmm... there's a life lesson here...)

4.  Personally, I find these little cube creatures adorable.  But if you'e creeped out by their black eyes, just stick a bird on it.  (Ha! Just kidding.  Portlandia fans unite!)  Forget the feathered friend.  Just hot glue on Small Googly Eyes instead.  They make everything cute.

Ok. That's all, friends.  One final warning before you start crafting:

Once you start, I know you'll soon be thinking...

"Gotta Make them all, Pokemon!"

Psst- Let the Pikachu love continue with this Origami Pikachu (and Yoda) craft!

Happy making, friends!