7 Fun & Creative Paddle Pop Stick Crafts for Kids (10 and Under)

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Ah, paddle pop sticks—the unsung heroes of childhood crafts! You might recognize them from the popsicles your kids devour in the summer, leaving behind a pile of sticky wooden sticks (which they conveniently forget to throw away). But did you know those little sticks hold endless creative possibilities?

If you have a box of paddle pop sticks and a house full of energetic kids, you’re in for some crafting magic. Let’s dive into fun, easy, and imaginative paddle pop stick crafts that will keep your little ones entertained and (mostly) glue-free.

1. Mini Paddle Pop Stick Catapult

Supplies Needed:

  • 6 paddle pop sticks
  • 3 rubber bands
  • 1 plastic spoon
  • Small pom-poms or paper balls

Instructions:

  1. Stack 5 sticks together and secure both ends with rubber bands.
  2. Use the last paddle pot stick and slide it in between the 5-stick stack.
  3. Secure the plastic spoon to the top stick using a rubber band.
  4. Load a pom-pom or paper ball, press the spoon down, and release!

🚀 Parent Caution: My kids quickly figured out they could launch marshmallows at each other. So, enforce a strict “no aiming at faces” rule, or you’ll end up picking sticky fluff out of their hair for days.

2. Paddle Pop Stick Airplane

Supplies Needed:

  • 3 paddle pop sticks (one for the body, two for wings)
  • 1 small craft stick (tail wing)
  • 1 clothespin
  • Paint & markers
  • Glue (it does not need to be a hot glue gun like in the video. Wood and craft glue will do just fine.)

Instructions:

  1. Paint the sticks and clothespin in fun colors.
  2. Glue one stick on top and one on the bottom of the clothespin to form wings.
  3. Attach the smaller stick at the back for a tail.
  4. Draw small windows or racing stripes.

3. Paddle Pop Stick Picture Frames

Supplies Needed:

  • Paddle pop sticks (about 8 per frame)
  • Glue (hot glue for speed, but white glue works too)
  • Paint and brushes
  • Stickers or glitter (optional)
  • A printed photo

Instructions:

  1. Lay out four sticks in a square shape to form the frame. Glue them at the corners.
  2. Let your child paint the frame in their favorite colors.
  3. Decorate with stickers, glitter, or doodles.
  4. Once dry, glue the photo to the back so it peeks through the frame.
  5. Attach a small magnet or ribbon to the back for hanging.

Here is an additional variations to making a popsicle stick picture frame.

My son once decided his frame needed to be “extra special.” He poured half a bottle of glitter glue onto it, resulting in a dripping masterpiece that took two days to dry. The upside? We now have a very sparkly, one-of-a-kind fridge magnet.

4. Paddle Pop Stick Houses

Supplies Needed:

  • Paddle pop sticks (lots!)
  • Glue (patience required!)
  • Markers or paint

Instructions:

  1. Create a base by glueing 10 paddle pop sticks together.
  2. Cut 10 paddle pop sticks in half horizontally.
  3. Glue the cut paddle pop sticks together side by side in multiples of 5. These will be your walls of the house.
  4. Glue the straight edge of the walls to the base.
  5. Repeat with the remaining 3 walls and join them with glue together.
  6. Use more sticks to build a roof, which could simply be another straight multiple of 5 paddle pop sticks for a flat roof, or you can try something a little fancier with a peaked room in the image above.
  7. Paint or decorate the house, adding windows, doors, and flowers.

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5. Paddle Pop Stick Puppets

Supplies Needed:

  • Paddle pop sticks
  • Felt or paper cutouts
  • Googly eyes
  • Markers
  • Glue

Instructions:

  1. Cut felt or paper into different puppet shapes (animals, people, monsters—you name it!).
  2. Glue the shapes onto paddle pop sticks.
  3. Stick on googly eyes and draw facial expressions.
  4. Let the puppet show begin!

Make a small stage using a cardboard box and let the kids perform a puppet show.

Download our free and super cute paper cut-out animals to save time. Simply click the download button below.

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6. Paddle Pop Stick Christmas Ornaments

Supplies Needed:

  • Paddle pop sticks
  • Paint and glitter
  • String
  • Glue

Instructions:

  1. This method creates a star of David. If you are wanting to create a 5 point star then use the video guide above.
  2. Arrange three sticks into a triangle and glue them together.
  3. Repeat again so that you have two triangles.
  4. Place one on top of the other to create a star shape.
  5. Glue them together.
  6. Paint and decorate with glitter, stickers, or beads.
  7. Attach a string to the top and hang it on the Christmas tree!

7. Mini Paddle Pop Stick Easel

Supplies Needed:

  • Paddle pop sticks
  • Glue
  • Small canvas or paper

Instructions:

  1. Glue three sticks into a triangle shape.
  2. Attach a horizontal stick across the front for support.
  3. Cut the top of another paddle pop stick.
  4. Glue it to the top of the easel on the back side.
  5. Glue the rest of the paddle pop stick at an angle to let your easel stand.
  6. Let it dry.
  7. Lean a small canvas or piece of paper on it.
  8. Use it to display tiny artwork!

Final Thoughts: Crafting Chaos & Creativity

Paddle pop sticks may seem like simple craft materials, but they have the power to unlock creativity, spark storytelling, and entertain kids for hours (which, let’s be honest, is every parent’s dream).

So whether your child is building a towering house, launching pom-poms across the room, or painting a miniature airplane, these projects are guaranteed to create fun memories and a few sticky messes along the way.

Just remember: Always supervise glue usage, set ground rules for catapults, and accept that glitter will never fully leave your home. Happy crafting! 🎨✨

Vanessa Rooney – LDS Mum

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