Summer heat calls for creative indoor activities that keep kids engaged while the sun blazes outside. This charming wood craft stick and pipe cleaner popsicle project combines the nostalgia of frozen treats with hands-on creativity that children absolutely love.
These adorable faux popsicles offer all the fun of the real thing without the sticky mess or sugar rush. Kids can craft their dream frozen treats using simple materials you likely already have at home. The project develops fine motor skills, encourages color recognition, and provides hours of imaginative play once completed.
Whether you’re planning a rainy day activity, organizing a summer camp craft, or looking for a simple project to do with your little ones, these pipe cleaner popsicles deliver maximum fun with minimal preparation time.
Not only is this an enjoyable hands-on experience for kids of all ages, but it also doubles as art lesson — and it doesn’t require fancy materials or equipment.
Craft Supplies:
Gathering supplies for this project couldn’t be easier. Most families already have these items in their craft supplies or can find them at any dollar store:
- Pipe Cleaners
- Craft Scissors
- Jumbo Popsicle Sticks – 4 per craft
- Mini Popsicle Sticks – 2 per craft
- Hot Glue Gun {adult supervision!}
- White Tulip Puffy Paint
- Loose Craft Glitter
Directions:
Begin by laying out all materials on a covered work surface. This prevents any small pieces from rolling away and makes cleanup easier later.
- First assemble your popsicle sticks for the base of the craft. Take THREE jumbo popsicle sticks {out of the four} and lay them next to each other.
- Finish off with the two mini popsicle sticks, going the opposite direction, to create a fence or door shape.
- The final step in building the base, is to glue the remaining jumbo stick on top of the first piece, to give the look of a popsicle. See our picture above for an example.
- Be sure to place your popsicle stick base in an undisturbed area so it can dry completely.
- Now grab your pipe cleaners. Cut them in half.
- Once your base is dry go ahead and glue your pipe cleaner pieces on.
- Finish off your Pipe Cleaner Popsicles by adding some white puffy paint to give the popsicles some dimension. Go ahead and also sprinkle on loose craft glitter for some fun!
- Then leave as is OR add other embellishments like glitter, puffy paint etc.
- When done decorating, allow it all to dry completely before you display and/or play with them proudly!
Make Them POP:
- Add “sprinkles” to your popsicles by pulling out rainbow colored pom poms, pony beads and maybe even feathers, to customize the “toppings.” A polka dot design of colorful beads would be perfect in my opinion!
- Hot glue craft yarn to the back of your finished piece, to turn it into an ornament for the Christmas tree.
- Give your popsicles personality by hot gluing googly eyes to the finished design. This way it becomes a puppet you can play with!
- For another twist to this craft, swap out the pipe cleaners for paper straws or plastic straws instead!
- My last “suggestion” is to turn these popsicles into bookmarks! Just take the finished piece and slide into a book to mark your spot!
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