Crafting with kids has so many amazing benefits! So why not add today’s popsicle stick hippo tutorial to your afternoon plans today?!

Keep scrolling for all the details on this simple no-prep hippopotamus kids craft idea!

I can’t say it enough – I “heart” this new crafty idea that I came up with on the fly just now.

On that note – I honestly can’t believe that in over five years of blogging, I didn’t have ANY hippo themed DIY’s on Glued To My Crafts. I gotta change that ASAP – activating new goal! Till then – this popsicle stick hippo will have to do and I really hope you are encouraged to recreate it with your child today!

Our paper and wood craft stick hippopotamus is super easy to make and doubles as an extra cute pretend puppet piece, to play with as well. The project level on this one is simple and moderate. I highly suggest this art project idea for the preschool and up age group. If kids can glue some sticks together and cut some paper, they can do this one with little to no help! Plus it pairs nicely with a story book and/or zoo theme!

So ready, steady, go! All the details on this smiling and big tooth hippo friend can be found below in the full tutorial. I highly encourage you to make a whole “bloat” of them with your child {fun fact – a group of hippos is usually called a bloat, pod, or herd! Also hippopotamus comes from a Greek word that means “water horse”.} Once you are done crafting up your hippopotamus craft pieces, come shares pictures of your creations on our Facebook page so we can admire them from a far!

Happy crafting, my dear friends! I can’t wait to see your beautiful pieces in action! #gluedtomycrafts

Hippo Craft Supplies:

• Jumbo Popsicle Sticks {4 per hippo craft}
• Mini Popsicle Sticks {2 per hippo craft}
• Low Temp Glue Gun
• Light Gray Craft Paint
• Foam Paint Brush
• Small Paper Plate
• Basic Craft Scissors
• Dark Gray Cardstock
• White Cardstock
• Black Sharpie Marker
• Large Wiggle Eyes {two per hippo craft}
• optional materials – small craft bows, stickers, glitter, rhinestones etc.

Directions:

• First get the glue gun hot and ready.
• Assemble the base of your hippo friend by gluing FOUR jumbo popsicle sticks and TWO mini popsicle sticks together to look like a fence door {4 next to each other and the mini popsicle sticks across to secure in place.}
• Allow it to dry completely. Repeat for each hippo friend you want to make today.
• Now grab your craft paint, paper plate and form brush.
• Squirt some gray craft paint on the paper plate.
• Using the foam paint brush, paint the flat side of your popsicle stick shape completely gray.
• Set it aside to let it dry completely.
• While that is drying, go ahead and grab your sheets of cardstock paper, marker and scissors.
• Out of the gray cardstock, cut out a large oval shape nose/mouth for the hippo, as well as two ears.
• Out of the white cardstock cut out two large rectangle teeth.
• Now go ahead and glue ALL the paper pieces to the popsicle stick shape from earlier.
• Use the sharpie marker to draw on nostils on the oval paper piece.
• To finish off the craft glue the two wiggle eyes in place so he can see.
• Add any other embellishments you see fit.
• Then let it dry completely before displaying proudly!!!
• Don’t forget to snap a few pictures of your finished popsicle stick hippopotamus creations to share with us! #gluedtomycrafts

Pair This Idea With These Tutorials:

• Paper Plate Cactus Fairy House
• Popsicle Stick Troll House
• Plastic Baggie & Crinkle Paper Apple
• Popsicle Stick Cupcake Baker Puppets
• Paper Plate Sleeping Bear

Hippo Jokes To Tell Afterwards: 

Q: What has 100 legs, 25 noses and is very loud?
A: A herd of stampeding hippos.

Q: How do you stop a hippopotamus from charging?
A: Take away it’s credit card

Q: What happens when hippos get too cold?
A: They get hippothermia.

We have the BEST kid craft tutorials on the internet {if I do say so myself!} Several of which are unique to us and first-seen-here!

Just check out our Popsicle Stick Panda Bear Puppet, Handprint Monkey – I Like Hanging Out With You Keepsake and Popsicle Stick Panda tutorials! All of which are instant creativity at your child’s fingerprints and sure to be loved! Better yet – pair either of them with today’s popsicle stick hippo tutorial and you are sure to have a “stumping” good time!

Happy crafting my friends!!! Hopefully your crafty plans are hippo-tastic because of this amazing art project idea you found on Glued To My Crafts just now! #gluedtomycrafts