Introduction: Fun With Popsicle Sticks for Kids

Hi All,

It is summer vacation time in India.. Kids are home playing or watching TV.... To keep them engaged in activities, to boost their creativity, motor skills and teach science concepts, We could do many things...

In this instructable I will share how to have fun with popsicle sticks buy making 5 easy to do projects

  1. Catapult
  2. Switch balde
  3. Extender
  4. Pencil stand
  5. Boat

With little supervision, kids can make these by themselves,

Please share your comments and suggestions. Enjoy Summer Vacation !!!

Step 1: Catapult

Materials Needed

  • 7 Popsicle sticks
  • 4 small rubber band
  • A bottle cap
  • Double side tape

How to make ?

  • Using rubber bands holder 5 popsicle sticks together
  • Insert a popsicle stick between the stack, as shown in image
  • The last popsicle stick will hinge on top, with the hep of a rubber band ( medium tight)
  • Using the last rubber band ( Red in image) tie the popsicle stick as tight as possible, without breaking anything
  • Adjust the angle for optimal angle close to 45 degrees
  • Using double side tape, stick the cap on the popsicle stick

Play ?

Place a small ball in the cap and hold it down . Aim and fire

Step 2: Switchblade

Materials Needed

  • 2 popsicle sticks
  • 2 Rubber Bands
  • one Match stick

How to Make ?

  • Cut one of the Popsicle stick in ratio ( 4:1)
  • Shape the larger piece like a knife and fix it pointing outwards using a rubber band
  • Smaller piece is hinged using a match stick and rubber band

Play ?

Turn the blade till it locks in the hinge at the bottom.

Use the hinge mechanism to release blade when desired

Step 3: Extender

Material needed ?

  • 6 to 10 popsicle sticks
  • 1 Skewers
  • Dremel to drill holes
  • Sandpaper
  • Cutter

How to Make ?

  • Drill 3 holes using a dremel ( under adult supervision only)
    • One at the middle
    • And other 2 near the edges
    • Do not make hole close to any edge, as the popsicle sticks may spilt
  • Using skewers make a "X" shaped hinge as shown
  • Make 3 or 4 such hinges
  • Connect them all at the edges with skewers
  • If the skewers are too thick, use bigger drill or using sandpaper, then them down

Play ?

  • One could put a snake hood on it
  • or Supports to hold a bottle

Step 4: Pencil Stand

Material Needed ?

  • 15 to 20 popsicle stick
  • Card board
  • sheet of paper
  • Fevicol or PVA glue
  • Colors for decoration

How to Make ?

  • On a thin sheet of paper ( 10 cm wide X 20cm Long), glue popsicle sticks
  • Stack them next to each other, so that there is no gap in between them
  • Now stick the ends together to make a cylinder
  • Fix a circular cardboard at the bottom of the cylinder to complete your pencil stand

Decorate

  • Let the kids decorate the pencil stand with colors and design of their choice

Step 5: Boat

Material Needed ?

  • 20 popsicle stick
  • Colored paper
  • Fevicol or PVA glue
  • Colors for decoration

How to Make ?

  • Place 15 to 17 popsicle sticks together making a square
  • Place 2 more popsicle sticks perpendicular to above sticks
  • Glue them in place, let it dry for 10 minutes
  • Turn over and fix the host flag, made from a popsicle stick and paper

Decorate

Let the kids decorate the boat with colors and design of their choice