Lincoln Sticks: Popsicle Stick Log Cabins

As a kid, I always used to love playing with Lincoln Logs, especially around Christmas time when we would make a village out of them underneath the Christmas tree. So when I needed to make some Christmas decorations/presents on a budget, Lincoln Logs became my inspiration.

With a little bit of work, you can make a box of craft sticks into a wide variety of Lincoln-Log-Type pieces which can be used to make virtually any little structure! The project possibilities are only limited by your imagination and how many popsicles you can eat (or craft sticks you have...lol)!

This instructable will show you how to make the Lincoln stick pieces and then detail the designs of two "log cabin" structures that I built out of them. I welcome any and all comments or suggestions!

Step 1 Materials

For this project, you will need the following materials and tools:

Materials:
Craft Sticks
Duct Tape
Wood Glue
(Brown) Spray Paint
Artificial Snow (optional)

Tools:
Scissors
Saw (I used a jigsaw, but a table saw might be even better)

Please note that the craft sticks I used in this project are: 4.5 x 3/8 x 1/12"
If you use craft sticks of any other dimensions, you will have to proportionately modify the following steps.

Comments

[DAV706]

where can i get some craft sticks?

[sunstreak509]

Hobby Lobby, Ben Franklin, and Micheal's have large boxes of 1000 for 5 to 6 dollars.

[LMO]

WalMart!

[DAV706]

other stores???

[sfuquay]

You are the best. My students are reading the book The Cabin Facd West by Jean Fritz. I know they will love this better than making a quilt for their final project. Keep up the good work.

[abehambino]

nice. i once built a biplane out of these sticks. sadly, i no longer have it and i don't have any pictures. maybe i'll make anoter and post it here.

[mattbomb]

now can yo make a full SIZE one fore me

[issabelle.maria]

I LIKE IT VERRY, VERRY MUCH

[charsy66]

you can take flat tooth picks and make it look like a window

[jakee117]

these are cool! FYI they do make pre notched Popsicle sticks but this looks better anyway

[Wasagi]

Great, Good instucrutions!

[GorillazMiko]

awesome, i didnt know that you had to cut and stuff..

[LMO]

You can buy "building sticks", but they have a lot of unnecessary notches and holes in them - in short, this procedure takes more time, but I think it looks better. The building sticks are fun to play with though!

[Weissensteinburg]

This is awesome! I used to love playing with Lincoln logs, but never thought of them as a Christmas ornament. I'd get out the hot wheels and build little cities out of them. Good job! too bad my dog would eat these if i made them for around the tree now.