Our one-of-a-kind craft stick Nutcracker ballerina puppet dancers are dressed beautifully and are ready for the show!

Keep scrolling and get ready to “dance” for ALL the crafty details on this popsicle stick nutcracker inspired ballerina puppet art project tutorial below!

Then take the time this winter season to build your own pieces with your child and make some magical memories together, that will last a lifetime!

Inspired by the beloved and most famous classic Christmas story ballet, today’s craft stick ballerina puppet idea is a must-do this holiday season! I can’t say it enough times, but if you have little ones in your home who love the Nutcracker and/or are aspiring little ballerinas themselves, then you should BOOKMARK or PIN our post right now!

For this winter art project tutorial, all you need is a few jumbo popsicle sticks, craft paint, colored cardstock, a hot glue gun, a few nutcracker stickers from Michaels and a cupcake liner for a ballerina tutu. Super easy materials! That’s just how we like it on Glued To My Crafts!

So if you want to change up your winter craft plans today and make something completely unique with your child this afternoon, look no further because the FULL tutorial for these dancing Popsicle Stick Nutcracker Ballerinas can be found below! It’s going to be a dream come true in a crafty fairy tale setting!

Happy crafting, my dear friends and I can’t wait to see your dancing Nutcracker inspired ballerina puppet creations. You can always tag us on Facebook or use our special branded #gluedtomycrafts hashtag for us to see. I just LOVE seeing the inspiration come to life in your home!

RELATED CHRISTMAS NUTCRACKER INSPIRED CRAFT TUTORIALS ON OUR WEBSITE: Popsicle Stick Nutcracker – Kid Craft and Paper Plate Nutcracker – Kid Craft

Nutcracker Ballerina Puppet Craft Supplies:

* Jumbo Popsicle Sticks {3 per nutcracker ballerina craft}
* Mini Popsicle Sticks {2 per nutcracker ballerina craft}
* Mini Wooden Clothespins {2 per nutcracker ballerina craft}
* Low Temp Glue Gun
* Red/Green Craft Paint
* Foam Paint Brush
* Small Paper Plate
* Skin Tone Craft Paper
* Gold Glitter Scrapbook Paper
* Paper Craft Scissors
* Holiday Print Cupcake Liner {1 per nutcracker ballerina craft}
* Gold Pipe Cleaner {1 per nutracker ballerina craft}
* Red Sharpie Marker
* Black Sharpie Marker
* Foam Nutcracker Stickers {from Michaels}
optional – stickers, glitter, rhinestones etc.

Directions:

* First get the glue gun hot and ready!
* Assemble the base of your Christmas ballerina friend by gluing THREE jumbo popsicle sticks and TWO mini popsicle sticks together to look like a fence {3 next to each other and the mini popsicle sticks across}
* Set aside to let it dry completely. Repeat for each ballerina craft piece you want to make today.
* When dry enough, go ahead and squirt your choice of color in craft paint on your paper plate.
* Paint your newly made popsicle stick shape completely with the paint brush. If desired, this would also be a great time to paint your mini clothespins {the ballerina’s arms and hands} however you like as well.
* When done, set everything aside to allow the paint to dry.
* Now grab your cupcake liner, gold glitter scrapbook paper, skin tone cardstock and craft scissors.
* Take the cupcake liner and fold it in half for the ballerina tutu. Put a little bit of hot glue in the inside, so it doesn’t come apart.
* Out of the skin tone paper, cut out a simple circle shape for the ballerina’s head.
* Out of the gold paper, cut out some hair for your ballerina.
* Go adhere the hair cutouts to the circle shape.
* When ready, hot glue the folded cupcake liner tutu and decorated paper head shape, to the painted popsicle stick shape from earlier.
* The next step is CRUCIAL. Take your TWO mini clothespins and pinch them around the decorative nutcracker stickers to look like her hands/arms are holding it.
* Go ahead and hot glue the combined piece you just made, to the center of the painted popsicle stick shape with the tutu.
* Finally – take your gold pipe cleaner and fold it in half to make legs for your ballerina. Go ahead and hot glue that to the back of the decorated popsicle stick shape.
* The last step on completing your Nutcracker ballerina puppet is to take the two Sharpie markers and draw on a simple face on the circle head cutout {black eyes, nose and red lips.}
* Then add any other embellishments you see fit to make your ballerina stand out from the crowd.
* Set aside to let it dry completely before displaying and/or playing with proudly!!!
* Don’t forget to share pictures with us on your social media sites! #gluedtomycrafts

QUICK CHRISTMAS JOKE TO TELL WHILE YOU CRAFT:

Question: Why did the ballet instructor make her students practice The Nutcracker so often?

Answer: To keep them on their toes.

It’s the MOST WONDERFUL time of year and we love celebrating by making {and sharing} creative craft ideas with our readers!

If you enjoyed today’s Nutcracker ballerina puppet tutorial, on our website you will find even MORE easy step-by-step tutorials that are perfect to recreate with your child!

So on that note, be sure to check out these fun posts, listed below, for even MORE crafty inspiration from Glued To My Crafts!

And as always – if one of our crafts inspires you, be sure to share it on our Facebook page!

Popsicle Stick Christmas Tree Wagon – Kid Craft

Popsicle Stick Christmas Carolers – Kid Craft

Popsicle Stick Reindeer Gnome – Kid Craft

Chalk Art Snowy Day – Kid Craft

Mini Craft Stick Marshmallow Friends – Kid Craft