crafty ideas and things to make with popsicles

These popsicles are great for kids of all ages. They will bring out creativeness in them to make all sorts of things. Find the sticks, either supplied free with every Popsicle you buy, or buy them new in a pack from most craft stores.

Here are a few of ideas that the kids have made. Use hobby aprons for the kids to wear before starting any of these projects. It saves paint from ruining their clothes. Lay sheets of newspapers on the table to protect the surface.

1. Kids own rubbish bin.

To make this you need a large fruit tin with the lid cut off cleanly with no sharp edges. Pop sticks, and glue. Directions: starting from the bottom, glue sticks onto the side of can until your cover the bottom area. Depending on height of the tin you may need to cut the sticks to required size. Lay and glue another row above the other one if required. When finished you may decorate with colored drawings. Use different colored marker pens to make it like a rainbow. Or glue on pictures of your choice depending whether for a boy or girl. Line the inside with small plastic bag and change each week or when full. You could cover any object, or different shapes with the same result.

2. Make boxes

Make various shape boxes by gluing sticks together. Make a base, line up nine sticks (more if bigger box required) vertically side-by-side, glue a stick across the top and one across the bottom of the nine sticks. Then flip this over, this will act as the base for your box.

To make the sides add one stick at a time by interlocking the ends of sticks around the edges. (Glue one stick either side then glue another two sticks on the opposite sides) build it up this way to required height. These can then be painted or decorated to your personal choice.

3. Wooden fan

For the older kids -make a wooden fan. You will need 12 pop sticks, glue, and thread (you could use colored wool).

You will need to make a hole in one end of each stick about 1cm from the bottom. Make another hole about 2cm in from the other end. At the short 1cm end, push the thread through each stick and tie them together. Take another thread and do the same except this time you will need to tie a knot in one end of thread, then spread the fan out wide, now tie a knot in the other end. That is it. To open fan hold at base and spread the fan open. To close pull the two ends. The stickscan be painted or add stickers to decorate them.

There are many other ideas- hanging wooden wind spirals, wooden toys, cars, boats, flags, angels and many others. Let your imagination loose and create whatever takes your fancy.