Crafty Fun for (Nearly) Free: Popsicle Sticks {Series}

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Crafty Fun for (Nearly) Free, is a series that explores budget friendly craft activities for kiddos of all ages.  We will show you  how to maximize a few bucks and simple supplies for hours of fun and entertainment!

This edition of Crafty Fun showcases the Popsicle stick (colored and plain varieties).  All of the supplies used in the activities below were purchased at the dollar store or I already had them in the house.  My total cost for everything you see below was $3.00, because I had everything but the Popsicle sticks on hand already.


Picture Frames

Good for: Preschoolers, School Age Kids, Adolescents

DSC_5103What you need: Colored Popsicle sticks, Glue, Buttons, Sequins, Picture to frame

What you do: Choose 8 Popsicle sticks.  Glue them together in a frame with two sticks on each side.  Once the glue has a chance to dry, decorate the frame however you choose.  We used buttons and jewel stickers that we had around, but you can use whatever you want.  Older kids can get really creative with this.  Choose something to frame.  My kids wanted me to print pictures of some of their favorite things to put in their frame, but you could frame another piece of art that they have drawn, a photo, etc…  These would also make great gifts for the grandparents.


 

Trinket Boxes

Good for: Preschoolers, School Age Kids, Adolescents

DSC_5091What you need: Colored Popsicle sticks, Glue, Items to decorate the box (Again, we used buttons.)

What you do: Line up a base for your box by laying the Popsicle sticks out next to each other to create a square.  Cover this base with glue and add a second layer of Popsicle sticks, this time going in the opposite direction to help make it more sturdy.  Then line up the sides of your box by placing two sticks on opposite sides of the box and alternating as you build up (think Lincoln Logs).  Stop when you get to your desired height.  Create the lid in the same manner that you created the base for the box.  Decorate however you would like.  If your kids are anything like mine, they will be ecstatic to have another box to keep their little trinkets in.


 

Bird Feeder

Good for: Preschools, School Age Kids, Adolescents

DSC_5110What you need: Colored and/or plain Popsicle Sticks, Glue (A hot glue gun will make this one easier.), Bird seed, String

What you do: Build the feeder box in the same way you build the base of the trinket box listed above.  This time though, extend the two middle sticks out to create perches for the birds to sit on.  Once this dries, teepee two more sticks up from the inside of your base to create a foundation for the roof.  (Hot glue will make this much more sturdy.)  Layer the colored sticks up the sides of the teepee for the roof.  Attach string, fill with bird seed and hang.


 

Fairy House

Good for: School Age Kids, Adolescents

DSC_5209

 

What you need: Colored and/or plain Popsicle sticks, Glue (I highly recommend the hot glue gun here.), Tissue paper, Contact paper, Buttons

What you do: Make two walls out of squares of tissue paper and a Popsicle stick frame.  Make a third wall by lining Popsicle sticks up next to each other.  I used the smaller colored sticks to make a door and a sign on this wall.  Make a floor for your house by layering Popsicle sticks together like in the two projects listed above.  Use your hot glue gun (or at least a glue slightly stronger than Elmer’s) to attach the three walls to the floor and to each other.  Layer more Popsicle sticks across the top to create the ceiling.  Get creative with your decor on the roof because as everyone knows, fairies love collecting trinkets to use around the house.  My girls have been using our house to play with some of their smaller Tinkerbell figures and with the hot glue, it has been holding up well.


 

Popsicle Stick Animal Puppets

Good for: Preschool, School Age Kids, Adolescents

DSC_5308What you need: Colored and/or plain Popsicle sticks, Glue, Felt or Construction paper, Googly Eyes, Markers, Buttons

What you do: Pick out your your animal color or paint a plain one how you need it to be.  Cut out pieces to make animal eyes, noses, ears etc… from felt or paper.  Glue your pieces on accordingly, along with some googly eyes.  You can use buttons or other items that you have lying around as well, to make cute noses or mouths for some of the animals.  Use your markers to add any other last minute details.  As you can see from the picture… there can be a lot of age interpretation with this project.  I did this with my 3 year old, my 5 year old and my soon to be 12 year old niece.  They all had a good time.

Happy Crafting!

craftyfunps

 

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