Popsicle Stick Ornaments

Oh, the things you can do with popsicle sticks!  This instructional will show you how to make these three holiday popsicle crafts that can be used as ornaments AND/OR....

...in decorative gift wrapping!  The supply list is the same for all three projects AND you don't need that much!  Easy peezy lemon squeezy.

SUPPLIES:

• Popsicle sticks
• Glue - hot glue (if you want instant results) & tacky glue
• Paint & paintbrush - in the colors of your choice
• Glitter - in the colors of your choice
• Ribbon

TRADITIONAL STAR ☆

1.) Cut 5 popsicle sticks in half.

2.) Hot glue (or tacky glue and let dry for a few minutes) the rounded sides of two popsicle halves together in the shape of a tee-pee (or letter V if it's upside down).  You can draw the intended angle on a piece of paper for the children to copy the shape if that helps.  REPEAT this step until all of the pieces are glued and you have five V's.

3. & 4.) Glue an open end of one of the V to the open end of another to start forming your star shape.  {TIP} Drawing a star for the children to visualize how the puzzle pieces fit could be helpful.

If using tacky glue, allow your star to dry before moving on to the painting.  If using hot glue....nevermind that previous statement.

5.) Paint your star whatever color you'd like and allow to dry for a few minutes (you could take a hairdryer to it to speed up the process).  Coverage will depend on what type of paint you use.  Acrylics will cover better while tempera (or poster) paint tends to absorb into the wood and not cover as well....BUT both will work.  Add a second coat of paint (I did because I used tempera paint) if you'd like your color more vivid & solid and let your star dry.  Repeat this step on the backside of your star (optional).

6.) When your paint is dry, add a line of tacky glue along the whole star and spread the glue out with your finger (or brush) to cover the popsicle sticks and add glitter. 

7.) Glue a loop of ribbon to the backside of your star and let it dry.

SNOWFLAKE ❄

For the snowflake you'll need 4 popsicle sticks.

1.) Add a dab of hot (or tacky glue) to the center of a popsicle stick and cross it with another.

2.) Add another dab of glue to the center of the top popsicle and cross it with another stick.

3.) Continue crossing the the sticks (glueing them together at each level in the center) until all 4 of your sticks are used up.

4.) Paint your snowflake white.  Apply a second coat of paint if you'd like better coverage (allowing dry time in-between coats).  Repeat on the backside (optional).

5.) With a glue brush, apply glue to the entire frontside of your snowflake and sprinkle with clear or white glitter.

6.) Glue a loop of ribbon the backside and allow it to dry.

STAR OF DAVID ✡

To include our friends who celebrate Hanukkah, you'll need 6 popsicle sticks for this star of David.

1.) Glue 3 popsicle sticks in the shape of a triangle with hot glue (or tacky glue and let it dry).  Repeat this step so you have two triangles.

2.) Flip one triangle upside down and layer the two opposing triangles adding glue in the spots where the two pieces touch.

3.) Paint (as instructed before) and glue blue glitter.

THE END.  Have fun & get messy!  ~ Miss Jenna ☺