In the 1500’s pirates would keep their pistols close at hand with a personalized lanyard, improvised from some cord or rope.

Lanyards are a common sight in schools, colleges, and workplaces these days. They provide a useful function where carrying ID is important and they also carry branding and logos.

Read on for 5 great ideas for a personalized lanyard for your kid.

1. Safety First

When it comes to your kids we think about safety first but it is easy to miss the potential hazards in our everyday life. A lanyard has potential to cause harm if it is not designed with safety in mind.

Lanyards have even hit the headlines because of a safety issue. In 2007, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission together with Dunkin’ Donuts announced a product recall. The Pink and Orange Glow Sticks attached to a lanyard were given away free with donuts.

The problem was that they had not been properly labeled, warning that because the cap and lanyard could detach they were a choking hazard. Also, the lanyard itself was a strangulation hazard.

It’s a great idea when buying or making a personalized lanyard to assess the risks to your child. Is there a risk of any item you attach to the lanyard detaching and becoming a choking hazard? Does the lanyard itself have an effective breakaway clasp to avoid choking?

2. Personal Identification

Lanyards are often used for identification purposes. Schools and workplaces commonly use them to carry photo ID or swipe cards for access to restricted areas.

If you are going on an outing you might be concerned about being separated from your child in a crowd. It’s every parent’s nightmare. That panic you feel when you’ve taken your eyes off them for a moment and then suddenly it seems like they are lost.

Having an emergency personalized lanyard for your child is one way of being prepared. It’s easy to make and you can involve your child in the process too.

Firstly you need to make a label for identification details.

• Childs name
• Parents/guardians name
• Parents/guardians contact details such as cell phone number
• Allergy information
• Medical conditions

You can use either a self-laminating sheet with an eyelet punched in the top of the label. Better still, use an ID card holder sold for attaching to a lanyard. Attach this to a suitable lanyard.

Depending on their age suitability, explain the importance of this identification to your child. Tell, the story of Paddington Bear found at Paddington Railway Station with a label attached. This might be a child-friendly way to introduce your child to the idea.

3. Lanyard Designs

Lanyards come in many designs, so many that even buying one online can feel like you have a unique personalized lanyard. To make it even more special there are online services, such as Lanyards USA, that will customize your lanyard. The more you buy the cheaper they are.

You can make your own lanyard and this will be unique to your child. Depending on your child’s development you can involve them to a greater extent in the design and making of the personalized lanyard.

A common way of making a lanyard is to weave one. You will need:

• 2 3-4ft lengths of lanyard cord
• A lanyard hook
• A tack
• Scissors
• A key ring

Start by threading each length of cord through the hook so that the hook is at the center of each cord and the ends are together. Secure the hook to a wall or bench using the tack to hold it steady. Braid the cords keeping them tight as you go until you reach the end of the cord.

Attach a lanyard breakaway connector to each end of the cords and cut off any excess cord. Attach a key ring to the lanyard hook and admire your handiwork.

4. Chewable Jewelry

Some children need to chew to help them stay calm, reduce stress or to concentrate. There a range of products designed for this purpose that are also attachable to a lanyard.

These therapeutic toys are recommended for individuals who have Autism or ADHD but not for children under 5 years old. If your child tends to chew things the lanyard and anything attached to it may be a choking hazard so direct supervision may be required.

5. Attach Cool Stuff

The list of things you can attach to a lanyard is huge. Subject to the safety issues already covered here are some more cool things for a personalized lanyard.

A lightweight aluminum whistle can be a fun thing to have with you. Use to attract attention when lost, join in with music or make some noise at the sports event.

LED lights come in very small sizes and with loops for attaching to a key ring. The aluminum style torches also come in bright colors to go with a color theme.

A metal storage capsules with a loop attached will also attach to a lanyard. There is no limit to the tiny treasures that your child might like to place inside this little storage capsule.

• A mini rolled up letter or poem
• Beads (jewels)
• Felt shapes, people or animals

We all need something to write with from time to time but can’t find a pen. A handy pen or pencil attached to a lanyard is useful. Find a small one that does not get too much in the way.

Pins attach easily to a lanyard especially if they are the wide ribbon style commonly used in schools and workplaces. A selection of favorite pins can be an attractive and very personalized decoration for your child’s lanyard.

Your Kid’s Personalized Lanyard

You know your child better than anybody. One child’s perfect lanyard gives another child the biggest yawn. This is a creative project for both you and your kid.

Follow this guide and think about your child’s needs and capabilities. You can have fun together making and customizing a personalized lanyard for your child.

For more creative things to do with your child, click here.

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