Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, The Three Little Pigs, Hansel and Gretel—these stories have been told for generations. They're filled with magic, adventure, and characters that everyone recognizes.
Important note: These patterns are based on the classic public domain versions of these stories (Grimm, Andersen, Perrault), not any specific movie adaptation. This means you can enjoy them without any copyright worries.
And guess what? Fairy tales are also perfect for Perler beads.
With a free pattern and a handful of beads, you can turn your favorite fairy tale symbol into a magnet, keychain, pin, or mini display piece. No magic wand required. Just beads, a pegboard, and an iron.
Why Fairy Tales Work So Well as Pixel Art
Fairy tales are full of iconic symbols that have been around for hundreds of years:
- A glass slipper
- A red hooded cloak
- A house made of bricks
- A breadcrumb trail
- A spinning wheel
- A pumpkin coach
These symbols are simple, bold, and instantly recognizable. They belong to everyone—not to any movie studio. They've been illustrated in hundreds of different ways by hundreds of different artists.
Plus, fairy tales are universal and timeless. Kids love them. Adults love the nostalgia. Grandparents love sharing them. No copyright worries. Just pure, magical pixel fun.
12 Popular Fairy Tale Symbols to Try (Public Domain Versions)
Here are twelve classic symbols that work beautifully on a standard pegboard. These are based on the original stories, not modern adaptations.
1. Glass Slipper (Cinderella)
A small, elegant shoe shape. In the original French story by Charles Perrault (1697), the slipper was made of glass (not any specific color). Use light blue, clear/white, or silver.
- Difficulty: Medium (the curved shoe shape takes practice)
- Best for: Magnet or keychain
- Colors needed: Light blue, white, silver
2. Red Hood (Little Red Riding Hood)
A simple red hooded cape shape. In the Brothers Grimm version, the girl wears a red riding hood. Add a small basket next to it.
- Difficulty: Easy
- Best for: Pin or magnet
- Colors needed: Red, dark red, brown (for basket)
3. Brick House (The Three Little Pigs)
A small brick house shape. In the classic English fairy tale, the third pig builds a house of bricks that the wolf cannot blow down.
- Difficulty: Easy
- Best for: Magnet or ornament
- Colors needed: Red, brown, dark brown, gray
4. Gingerbread House (Hansel and Gretel)
A small house made of candy and sweets. In the Brothers Grimm version, the witch's house is made of gingerbread, cake, and sugar windows.
- Difficulty: Medium (lots of small candy dots)
- Best for: Magnet or ornament
- Colors needed: Brown, white, red, yellow, green
5. Magic Beanstalk (Jack and the Beanstalk)
A tall green vine spiraling upward. In this classic English fairy tale, Jack trades a cow for magic beans that grow into a giant beanstalk.
- Difficulty: Medium
- Best for: Magnet or keychain
- Colors needed: Green, dark green, white
6. Poisoned Apple (Snow White)
A red apple with a green leaf. In the Brothers Grimm version (1812), the evil queen gives Snow White a poisoned apple. One half red, one half white/gray.
- Difficulty: Easy
- Best for: Pin or magnet
- Colors needed: Red, green, white, light gray, brown
7. Spinning Wheel (Sleeping Beauty)
A wooden wheel with a spindle. In the Charles Perrault and Brothers Grimm versions, the princess pricks her finger on a spinning wheel and falls asleep.
- Difficulty: Medium
- Best for: Magnet or ornament
- Colors needed: Brown, dark brown, light brown, silver/gray
8. Golden Ball (The Frog Prince)
A simple gold/yellow circle (the ball). In the Brothers Grimm version, the princess loses her golden ball in a well, and the frog retrieves it.
- Difficulty: Very easy
- Best for: Keychain or magnet
- Colors needed: Gold/yellow, brown (for well)
9. Tower with Hair (Rapunzel)
A tall stone tower with long golden hair flowing from the top window. Based on the Brothers Grimm version (1812).
- Difficulty: Medium
- Best for: Magnet or ornament
- Colors needed: Gray, light gray, yellow, brown
10. Stack of Mattresses (The Princess and the Pea)
A tall stack of colorful rectangles (mattresses) with a tiny pea at the bottom. Based on Hans Christian Andersen's version (1835).
- Difficulty: Very easy
- Best for: Magnet or pin
- Colors needed: Any colors you like (pink, blue, yellow, green, purple), plus one green dot for the pea
11. Boots and Hat (Puss in Boots)
A pair of tall boots with a wide-brimmed hat and feather. Based on the Charles Perrault version (1697).
- Difficulty: Medium
- Best for: Pin or keychain
- Colors needed: Black, dark gray, red (for feather)
12. Tiny Shoe (The Elves and the Shoemaker)
A small brown shoe, tiny in size (as if made by elves). Based on the Brothers Grimm version.
- Difficulty: Easy to medium
- Best for: Magnet or keychain
- Colors needed: Brown, black, silver/gray
Bonus Symbols (More Public Domain Fairy Tales)
- The Little Mermaid (Andersen) – Seashell (pink, white)
- The Emperor's New Clothes (Andersen) – Crown (gold, red)
- The Ugly Duckling (Andersen) – Baby Swan / gray (gray, white)
- Thumbelina (Andersen) – Flower with tiny person inside (pink, green, yellow)
- The Snow Queen (Andersen) – Snowflake (white, light blue)
- Aladdin (folk tale / 1001 Nights) – Magic Lamp (gold, brown)
How to Get a Custom Fairy Tale Perler Pattern (For Free)
Want a different scene? A pumpkin coach? A breadcrumb trail? A wolf dressed as a grandmother?
You can generate a free pattern from any classic fairy tale image – a vintage book illustration (pre-1926 is public domain), your own drawing, or a simple symbol.
Here's how it works:
- Go to our free pattern generator (link below)
- Upload your fairy tale image (simple silhouettes or clear symbols work best)
- Adjust the size and number of colors
- Download your printable PDF pattern instantly
The tool converts your image into a pixel grid with exact bead colors mapped out. You'll know exactly which beads to place and where.
What Can You Make With a Fairy Tale Perler Pattern?
- Keychain – Backpack, keys, or bag charm
- Magnet – Fridge, locker, or cubicle
- Pin / Brooch – Denim jacket, hat, or book bag
- Ornament – Year-round display or gift for a book lover
- Mini stand – Desk, shelf, or next to your fairy tale book collection
- Gift tag – Attach to a children's book as a gift
Most fairy tale designs are small to medium – 15x15 to 25x25 beads – which means they take 15–25 minutes to make.
Get Everything You Need – Two Ways
Once your free pattern is ready, you have two choices:
Option 1: DIY Material Kit (You Make It)
Order a Fairy Tale Perler Bead Kit that includes:
- All the Perler beads you need – pre-sorted by color to match your pattern
- A small pegboard (fits fairy-tale-sized designs)
- Ironing paper for fusing
- Your choice of base – keychain ring, magnet strip, pin back, or mini stand
- Glue for attaching
You supply the free pattern and your own iron. Follow the pattern, place the beads, iron, glue. About 15–25 minutes per design.
Perfect for: Story lovers who enjoy making things.
Option 2: Finished Piece (Ready to Display or Wear)
Don't want to DIY? Order a finished fairy tale Perler creation made from your custom pattern.
You send your pattern (generated free from our tool), and we:
- Fuse the beads smoothly on both sides
- Attach it to your choice of base (keychain, magnet, pin, stand, or ornament)
- Ship it ready to use
Open the package and your magical story art is ready.
Perfect for: Anyone who wants fairy tale magic without any crafting time.
Tips for Making Great Fairy Tale Perler Art
Stick to Classic Versions
The original fairy tales are public domain. Use symbols and details from the old stories, not from modern movies. A glass slipper = fine. A specific shade of blue dress = not fine (that's Disney). A red hood = fine. A wolf dressed as a grandmother = fine (that's in the original).
Use Simple, Recognizable Symbols
A single object often tells the whole story. A glass slipper = Cinderella. A red hood = Little Red Riding Hood. A spinning wheel = Sleeping Beauty. You don't need the whole character.
Add a Storybook Frame
A small decorative border around your design (like vines, stars, or simple lines) makes it look like an illustration from an old storybook.
Keep Colors Traditional
Use classic colors that match the original stories. Red for Little Red Riding Hood. Gold for the princess's ball. Brown for the gingerbread house. Green for the beanstalk.
How to Fuse and Finish Your Fairy Tale Perler Piece
If you're using the DIY kit:
- Place beads on the pegboard following your pattern
- Cover with ironing paper
- Iron on medium heat using small circular motions (about 10–15 seconds per side)
- Let cool completely
- Glue onto your keychain ring, magnet strip, pin back, or mini stand
- Let dry for 12–24 hours
Pro tip: For the glass slipper, iron one side only to keep a "sparkly" un-melted texture on the other side.
Display Ideas for Your Fairy Tale Perler Art
- Create a storybook shelf on your fridge – glass slipper, red hood, brick house, gingerbread house as a set
- Gift a poisoned apple magnet to a fairy-tale-loving friend
- Make a bedtime story set – three little pigs, frog prince, and the princess and the pea as pins
- Add to a child's book bag – attach a tiny fairy tale pin
- Make a "once upon a time" set – a collection of 5–6 story symbols on a magnet strip
- Pair with a real book – attach a Perler bead magnet to a classic fairy tale book as a gift
A Note on Copyright
All of the stories featured here are in the public domain. The Brothers Grimm, Hans Christian Andersen, and Charles Perrault published these tales in the 17th–19th centuries. That means anyone can retell them, illustrate them, and create art based on them.
However, specific character designs from modern movies (like Disney's versions) are protected by copyright. Our patterns stick to the classic, generic symbols that have been used for hundreds of years. No mouse ears. No specific dress colors. Just the timeless icons of storytelling.
Once Upon a Time...
Fairy tales have been told for hundreds of years. They've been illustrated by hundreds of artists in hundreds of styles. Now it's your turn.
Your version of Cinderella's slipper. Your version of the brick house. Your version of the magic beanstalk. Made one tiny bead at a time.
And that's a story worth telling.
Ready to Create Your Own Fairy Tale Pixel Art?
Step 1: Generate your free pattern
Step 2: Choose how you want to create it:
- DIY Material Kit – all beads + supplies (you make it)
- Finished Piece – we make it for you
No design skills needed. No expensive software. Just your favorite fairy tale and 15 minutes.
Have a specific story in mind? The Little Mermaid (Andersen version)? The Snow Queen? The Wild Swans? Generate a free pattern first and see how it translates. Even an obscure fairy tale can become a beautiful little piece of art.