The totally unexpected sparked our latest and greatest Popsicle Stick Food Truck kid craft tutorial!

Keep scrolling to see how a quick trip to Target made this idea come to life within minutes. Then recreate it with your child today!

I’m a firm believer when it comes to self care {especially since my husband is currently deployed.}

Something about taking care of “me” sparks the crafty creativity within. Which in turn, keeps Glued To My Crafts afloat these days. I make it a top priority to do something “crafty” outside the house, at least weekly, that keeps the spark going. So whether I make a quick trip to the craft store or find myself at the local coffee shop, thumbing through some magazines for inspiration, I like to get myself out of the house to clear my head.

One of my favorite places to get some self-care time in, is Target. No surprise with that one. I think a lot of moms enjoy scrolling through the aisles there. For me, I like seeing the latest trends and looking for unexpected items/shapes, that spark me to come up with our creative kid craft tutorials. Hence, today’s Popsicle Stick Food Truck idea came to life.

It all started with some food themed toothpicks I found in the dollar bins in the front of the store {they are new to the bins for summer, so RUN to grab some now!} They had tacos, avocados, hamburgers, pretzels, pizza etc. After throwing them in the cart and pacing around, thinking about the “why” I was buying them {afterall – those $1 items add up really quickly!} I came up with these food truck designs in my head. Very similar to our patriotic truck tutorial from a few days back but with “food” instead.

Anyways – I don’t want to bore you anymore with the details behind my inspiration {it’s really not that grand after all!} Just know that sometimes the unexpected can become something great!

I mean… hello? Cheap wood toothpicks?! Something you typically just add on top of food for a party can be turned into a food truck? YES! Instead of throwing them on top of our food and eventually just throwing them away anyways, we are throwing them on top of our craft & making pieces that will eventually spark even more imaginative play down the road!

Don’t believe me? Find all the details below. Then recreate it with your child and encourage them to “play” with their awesome pieces afterwards. You could even host a puppet play type show with them!

Happy crafting, my dear friends and please don’t forget to share pictures with us. It’s makes my day to see it come to life!!! #gluedtomycrafts

Popsicle Stick Food Truck Craft Supplies:

* Regular Popsicle Sticks {13 per food truck craft}
* School Glue
* Paper Plate
* Craft Paint {think shades of bright, pastel colors}
* Paint Brushes
* Colored Cardstock {white and black being important!}
* Basic Craft Scissors
* Sharpie Markers
* Small Food Themed Toothpicks
* Washi Tape or Glue Gun
Optional – glitter, rhinestones, flag stickers etc.

Directions:

* First grab THIRTEEN popsicle sticks {you need 13 per food truck craft.}
* Lay EIGHT popsicle sticks next to each other, one by one, on a flat surface.
* Now grab the remaining popsicle sticks and glue them the other direction to create a truck shape {see our images for an example.}
* Set aside to let it dry a bit. Repeat for each truck you want to make.
* While those are drying, grab all your cardstock paper and scissors.
* Cut out embellishments for your food truck {like two wheels, a large rectangle window for the truck, the front light etc.}
* Use the Sharpies markers to draw in a pendant banner in the window piece {see our pictures for an example.}
* Set all these aside when done.
* Once the popsicle stick shape is dry enough, go ahead and paint it with your craft paint.
* To finish off the Popsicle Stick Food Truck, glue the cardstock pieces you recently made onto the popsicle stick shape.
* Then use a small piece of washi tape {or a little bit of hot glue if working with older children} to attach the food themed toothpick to the back of the truck.
* Add other embellishments you see fit.
* Set it aside to let it dry completely.
* When it’s all done and dry, display it or play with proudly!

You know I can’t let the crafty fun stop here! I also have a PAPER PLATE version of an ice cream food truck that I shared a few months ago. That particular post includes a FREE printable to get you started, so head on over to check that one out, as well!