45 Outstanding Popsicle Craft Stick DIY Ideas
Loraine loves arts and crafts and used to volunteer at an elementary art class. She loves sharing fun and easy craft tutorials.
What Can You Do With Popsicle Sticks?
Whether you call them craft sticks or popsicle sticks, every crafter should know what you're talking about. You'll be pleasantly surprised to see the range of projects that can be made (and made inexpensively) with this versatile craft supply. A lot of these projects would make thoughtful gifts, holiday ornaments, and playful home décor pieces. Let's get started!
Make the cute farm animals shown above using the directions at Make and Takes.
1. Scarecrows
I love these little scarecrows and think they would be so cute tucked in a potted plant. This would be a great Thanksgiving project you could keep through the fall.
2. Christmas Trees
These Christmas trees would look great included in a winter village scene. Just add an empty thread spool to the bottom to make the tree stand alone. Make sure to add drifted snow on the branches for a realistic touch!
3. For the Birds
I think these birds are one of the cutest projects for kids to make. Think of the many ways you could use them. I'm thinking about using them to create a mobile for a baby's room or turn into ornaments for the Christmas tree.
4. Pencil Holder
Dad will love receiving a handmade gift like this pencil holder. It can be used on a desk in a home or office.
5. Sunburst Mirror
I think this mirror would be extra elegant if the sunburst was painted black. Whether you leave it natural or paint it, this is a great project to try.
6. Popsicle Stick Trivet
I think making a trivet would be a great group project for a classroom or scout troop. It'd be a useful gift to give to Mom or Grandma.
Read More From Feltmagnet
7. Advent Calendar
This Advent calendar is a great way to count down the days til Christmas. I love the activity suggestions for each day.
8. Garden Fairies
These sweet garden fairies are a simple and easy craft. You can customize this in so many ways, so here's to letting your imagination run free!
9. Alligator
Little boys especially will enjoy making this alligator and then chasing their siblings around with them.
10. Bookmarks
These unique bookmarks can be put together with just a few craft supplies and are sure to please the kids.
11. Bracelets
If you make one of these bracelets, I can assure you that you'll want to make more of them. They're very attractive!
12. DIY Popsicle Bracelet
13. Craft Stick Santa
Ask the kids for ideas about where and how to use these Santas, and you'll have reasons to make lots of them.
14. United States Flag
Let the children show their patriotism by making flags with popsicle sticks. You'll find the directions at The Suburban Mom.
15. School Bus Frame
This school bus frame would be such a nice way to remember how the kids looked across different grades. Use the school photo of the year to put into the frame. Imagine lining up a bunch of school buses as a playful wall arrangement.
16. Giant Snowflakes
Painted black, silver, or gold, these giant snowflakes could be used as year-round wall décor.
17. Reindeer
This little reindeer is so cute! Make all of the Xmas characters: Santa, snowmen, and reindeer. You could place them on a piece of paper decorated with a winter scene to let your kids play with them!
18. Craft Stick Boats
Make a cute boat and take it sailing in a pond or tub. You can turn it into a game or race and have fun with friends.
19. Airplanes
Make these beautiful airplanes with make happy. The kids will really enjoy customizing their plane designs.
20. Trinket Box
Sometimes it's difficult for kids to think of things that they can make to give to their dad or mom as a gift. This trinket box is a great gift item that the kids can put together themselves and feel good about giving away.
21. Fish and Sticks
I can see this project being made into a mobile. I'd paint it yellow and sprinkle it with glitter for a beautiful touch.
22. Fences and Gates
A boys imagination knows no end when he has fences and gates to hold his farm animals or cars.
23. Memory Game
One thing that kids like to do is to make toys or games using craft sticks. A great example is making their own popsicle stick memory game.
24. Gel Transfer Puzzle
Find out how you can transfer a photo image onto the craft sticks to make a personalized puzzle. These would be such a sweet thing to slip into a gift!
25. Popsicle Stick Recipe Holder
Any child would be so proud if they made Mom something she could use—like a handmade recipe holder.
26. Nativity Scene
I think this Nativity scene is my all-time favorite craft stick project. It's simple but beautiful and easy to make.
27. Dragonflies
How clever is this use for craft sticks? Go to Crafty Morning for the instructions.
28. Garden Fence
You can make a little garden fence like the one above over at favecrafts.
29. Harmoni-Kazoo
30. DIY Harmonica
Kids will love making and playing a harmonica that they've constructed themselves.
31. Mini Weaving Loom
I think kids would really enjoy making and using a mini weaving loom. If you want to save time, make the looms ahead of time so the kids just do the weaving. Our Creative Day is where you'll find the instructions.
32. Snowflake Ornament
Make this easy snowflake ornament using craft sticks and buttons. The Ramblings of a Crazy Woman shares how to put it together!
33. Easels
What's not to love about these easels? The kids will love making and displaying their works of art on them.
34. Velcro Dot Craft Sticks
The kids will enjoy making all different shapes using their velco dot craft sticks. What a great idea for entertaining the little ones.
35. Nativity Ornament
I love little homemade nativities, and this DIY one is really cute.
36. Bald Eagle
This is an outstanding project that teachers could use in the classroom. Use this project when teaching what the bald eagle signifies in American history.
37. Sled Ornaments
Although the tutorial doesn't give specific directions, they have great photos that show you how to make these sled ornaments. You can use this in so many ways!
38. Pendant
Teens who like to wear jewelry that they made themselves will enjoy this pendant project. I think the pendant doesn't even look like it's made from a popsicle stick!
39. Craft Stick Easel
40. Photo Puzzle
There are so many occasions when a gift like this would be appropriate, other than the obvious Valentine's Day. To make a photo puzzle gift for someone you love, go to All for the Memories for the instructions.
41. Scarecrow
Learn how to make this craft stick scarecrow at Today's Creative Ideas.
42. Popsicle Stick Snowflakes
The kids will love to help make a tree full of snowflakes like these for Christmas. Some pom-poms can be purchased already with glitter on them, which I think would be very pretty. See how to make these snowflakes at It Happens In a Blink.
43. Puppet Theater
I love this puppet theater because you can make so many different characters with craft sticks. Imagine the three little pigs or even Bible characters. You'll find the tutorial for the puppets and puppet theater at Crafts By Amanda.
44. Stegosaurus Dinosaur
This project is for all the little boys and girls who love dinosaurs.
45. Abacus
The abacus is an ancient math device, but it is still a great way to practice basic math skills.
© 2012 Loraine Brummer
Have You Found a Craft Stick Idea to Try?
KayeSI on September 01, 2012:
Oh wow! You have such great ideas here. I'm going to have to give these a try with my grandchildren. Thanks for all the creative inspiration! :)
