Save Your Popsicle® Sticks for Holidays Crafts
With Popsicle®, the fun goes far beyond frozen treats. It’s about creativity, color, and the joy of making something together. This guide is full of simple, affordable Popsicle® stick crafts that families can enjoy all season long, from ornaments and picture frames to festive décor. Whether you’re looking for cozy indoor projects or new holiday activities, these ideas spark creativity for everyone.
Why Save Your Popsicle® Sticks
One of the best parts of enjoying Popsicle® treats (whether they’re the classic Orange, Cherry & Grape Ice Pops or the chocolatey Fudgsicle®) is that the fun doesn’t end when the treat does. Every Popsicle® comes with a smooth, sturdy stick that’s perfect for arts and crafts.
Collect a handful throughout the season and you’ll discover a simple truth: if you can imagine it, you can craft it in Popsicle® sticks. Saving your sticks is also an easy way to get more out of every box, turning a snack into a creative reuse moment the whole family can feel good about.
What You’ll Need
Keep a few essentials on hand before you dive in. These are the building blocks for all your Popsicle® stick creations:
- Popsicle® sticks
- Craft glue
- Non-toxic paint
- Paintbrushes
- Markers or fine tip pens
- Glitter or glitter glue
- Googly eyes
- Mini pom poms
- Pipe cleaners
- Sequins or tiny gems
- Ribbon or string
- Scissors (with adult supervision)
These are just broad examples of things that work. Feel free to get creative and swap in whatever you have on hand to make each project your own!
Easy Popsicle® Stick Holiday Craft Ideas
Popsicle® Stick Ornaments
Create stars, snowflakes or mini Christmas trees using craft glue, glitter and a few bright colors. These Popsicle® stick crafts look adorable hanging on the tree and are simple enough for even the littlest makers.
Perfect for your little helper elves who love adding their own sparkle to the season.
- Choose your shape
For stars, arrange five Popsicle® sticks into a star outline. For snowflakes, layer three sticks into a crisscross pattern. For mini Christmas trees, stack three sticks into a triangle.
- Glue everything in place
Add dots of craft glue where the sticks touch and press gently until they stick. Let them sit for a few minutes to dry.
- Add color
Paint your ornament in your favorite holiday shades. Green for trees, icy blues for snowflakes or bright gold for stars.
- Add decorations
Sprinkle glitter while the paint is still tacky or glue on sequins, pom poms or tiny gems once it dries. Let your little helper go wild with the sparkle.
- Attach a hanger
Tie a small loop of ribbon or string and glue it to the back. Make sure it’s secure so your ornament hangs safely on the tree.
- Let it dry
Set the ornaments aside to dry fully before hanging. Once dry, they’re ready to shine on the holiday tree.
Festive Picture Frames
Use four Popsicle® sticks to build a cute frame for a favorite holiday photo. Paint it in classic red and green or let kids choose their own color combo. Add mini bows, sequins or stickers for extra sparkle.
- Build the frame shape
Lay two sticks vertically and place the other two horizontally on top to form a square or rectangle. Adjust the spacing to fit your photo size.
- Glue the corners
Add small dots of craft glue where the sticks overlap. Press gently and let them dry until they feel sturdy.
- Paint and decorate
Paint the frame in your favorite holiday colors. Once the paint dries, add stickers, sequins or a tiny bow. Encourage your little helper elves to make each frame one of a kind.
- Attach the photo
Flip the frame over and glue the corners of the photo to the back so it sits neatly behind the opening. You can also tape it if you want something less permanent.
Mini Gift Tags or Place Cards
Paint a stick, write a name and add a tiny embellishment. These make sweet gift tags or table place cards for holiday dinners. They’re quick and budget-friendly, which makes them great for large groups.
- Paint your base
Paint each Popsicle® stick in holiday colors. Classic red, cozy green or bright winter blue all work. Let the paint dry completely.
- Write the names
Use a fine tip marker to neatly write each person’s name across the stick. You can keep it simple or let your little helper elves use fun lettering styles.
- Add embellishments
Glue on a tiny sequin, gem or pom pom. A small sticker or a dab of glitter glue adds extra sparkle.
- Add ribbon or string (optional)
If using as gift tags, glue a loop of ribbon or string to one end. Skip this step if they’re being used as place cards for the table.
Tips for Crafting with Kids
Cover your table with paper for easy cleanup and always choose non-toxic paints and glue. Encourage kids to make each craft their own — the best creations come from their imagination! There are no rules with Popsicle® stick projects, so let them experiment, personalize, and have fun with every step.
Take a photo of your finished project and share it with the world using #PopsicleCrafts or tag us @Popsicle® on Instagram!
FAQs
Start with the basics: Popsicle® sticks, craft glue, paint, and markers. Then add fun decorations like glitter, ribbon, mini pom poms, or anything else you have on hand. Let your imagination guide you!
Yes! Popsicle® stick crafts are perfect for little hands when you use non-toxic paints, glue, and markers. Adults should supervise for scissors or any tricky steps, but otherwise kids can safely enjoy creating, experimenting, and having fun.
Absolutely! Clean Popsicle® sticks from frozen treats can be reused for crafts. Just make sure they’re fully dry and clean before getting creative. To clean them, a quick rinse with warm water works. Then let them air dry completely. And if you run out, don’t worry: new sticks are just an excuse for another Popsicle® (or two)!
