I am always on the look out for simple ways to keep the kids busy while somehow encouraging and building upon creative use and learning. This popsicle stick project is just perfect.
I came across this DIY activity box on pinterest the one day and saw so much potential! Unfortunately, the lady who wrote up this cool craft did not leave the exact materials for the making them. (I like the container that holds them)
I put in a special order and ordered a bunch of craft sticks and velco dots from amazon in the hopes of finding the perfect match. Anything that didn’t work is being used for other things!
Here they are!
Popsicle stick projects with velco dots!
Popsicle stick project materials:
- Craft sticks – depending on your choice of color this pack of 50 (I used these) or this pack of 75
- Velcro dots (2x pack of 75)
Tip: You will need 2 packs of the above velcro dots to match the pack of 75 craft sticks perfectly as they are already in pairs)
VELCRO Brand – Sticky Back – 5/8
Creative Arts by Charles Leonard Craft Sticks, Jumbo Size, Assorted Colors, 6 x 3/4 Inch, 75/Bag (66585)
BAZIC Jumbo Colored Craft Stick 50 Per Pack
Bazic 804 3 Ring Pencil Pouch with Mesh Window, 6 pcs
Attach velcro dots to every end of the jumbo popsicle stick making sure that you use the same kind of dot on the same side and the other for the other side.
The velcro dots stick very well and have not come off with months of play already. Remember to let the glue set the number of hours suggested on the packaging!
Hand them to the kids and watch them play. For my younger kids, I had to show them that the tabs stuck to each other before they eagerly started making their own popsicle stick projects.
SO many popsicle stick shapes can be made!
You can even use them to make and teach shapes or colors.
My 4 year old made a little man.
These are great for busy bags as well. Take them with for car rides or while waiting for appointments. 
VELCRO Brand – Sticky Back – 5/8Creative Arts by Charles Leonard Craft Sticks, Jumbo Size, Assorted Colors, 6 x 3/4 Inch, 75/Bag (66585)
BAZIC Jumbo Colored Craft Stick 50 Per Pack
Bazic 804 3 Ring Pencil Pouch with Mesh Window, 6 pcs
Love it? Pin it!
NEW!: Download the inspiration building cards!
ALSO!: An instruction video below.
I love these. My kids are going to go bonkers for them!
Great idea, thank you for sharing.
These are perfect for busy bags! I made magnetic craft sticks but velcro sounds like fun!
These look so neat! I can imagine hours of play!
Great idea! Making these for my girls.
Velcro dots here we come! We already have the sticks on hand so I’m excited to try this!!
It is so much fun! The kids love it <3
I have 2 great-nephews that are under the age of 4 and they would love this! I’m going to make some up for their next visit. Easy and affordable and it will create endless hours of fun! Thank you!!!
Pleasure! have fun!
I love this idea!! Thank you for sharing at Sharing Saturday!
This is genius!! What a smart idea – my kids will LOVE this! 🙂
We loved this idea! My students were so creative with the sticks. I blogged about it here:
http://playtolearnpreschool.blogspot.com/2014/02/stick-art.html
Thank you so much for sharing!
Jamie
Play to Learn Preschool
Love it! Thanks for sharing <3
Omg, this is brilliant! It’s so hard to find fun activities that kids under 2 or 3 would be into. I’m glad I came across your site from the Link & Learn! 🙂
Thanks! I have a almost 20 month old and I am constantly looking and also adding some of my own ideas to this site 😀 Thanks for stopping by.
Could anyone comment on whether or not the “color” comes off the pre-dyed sticks if they get wet? (Or if toddlers put them in their mouth) Pls specify the brand if you have feedback? Much appreciated!
I just wet the ones we used as mentioned above, a bit of color did come off. If my toddler still mouthed things like this I would use plain sticks and dye them with vinegar and food coloring, those tend to stay on the stick. I linked the sticks I used above to amazon where you can see the brand and size.
love these and have to make for the grandbabies 🙂
I love this idea. So much fun and I know my grandkids would love making these. Thanks for linking up to the Bloggers Brags Pinterest Party. I’ve pinned your post to the Bloggers Brags Pinterest Board
Simple but yet effective at keeping the kids busy. Yup, I think I will order some Velcro tabs, already have the sticks. Great activity, stopping by from #thoughtfulspotweeklybloghop
What a great craft for teaching fine motor skills. Pinned!
Monica
What a terrific idea! I love how open-ended the creativity can be with these sticks. Would you please clarify how to affix the Velcro dots on the craft sticks? I’m unclear as to whether you put the Velcro on both sides of the stick and which piece of the Velcro (sticky or non-sticky) goes where. Thank you!
The dots I have used above are self adhesive. So it was just peel and stick. If you use plain velcro I would use a hot glue gun. The velcro is on BOTH sides of the stick. ONE side has the hooks the OTHER side has the loops. So the same type of velcro on one side the other on the other side.
Do you mean one hook dot at one of the stick and one loop dot at the other end of the stick, both on the same side? It would have been really helpful to include a photo showing both ENDS of the stick so we could figure out whether it’s two hook dots per stick, or one hook and one loop.
Thank you for the suggestion! I have added a picture so that it is clearer as how to make it!
This is a cute and inexpensive project. I’ve seen colored popsicle sticks at my local Dollar Tree — a huge pack for just one dollar! Unfortunately for me, I think my nine-year-old would be too easily bored with this, but I’m bookmarking it for when my youngest is old enough!
Your so creative. Another great idea. Thanks for sharing.
Hey Nicolette !
Thanks for sharing , these Popsicle sticks are very lovely for the kids , they can play with them and create things also. Thanks
you are welcome! Next week I am putting up some cards for creative inspiration with these velcro sticks!
Wow, these are great! I found this on Pinterest. I have made a set for my son and he loves them. I have linked to you on my blog post about 5 busy bags that we have made. Thanks again!
So do you put Velcro on the back side of sticks too? Which would be 4 dots per stick?
correct!