This DIY Popsicle stick star garland is perfect for patriotic celebrations or Christmas decorations, and it won’t break the bank!
Creating holiday decorations with simple materials is a fun activity for the whole family. So why not start with popsicle stick star garland.
Supplies you will need to make this popsicle stick star garland
- Popsicle sticks/craft sticks – It’s great to have regular-size and jumbo ones to create two different-sized stars. You need 5 sticks of the same size to make one star. Buying ones that are already painted can save time if needed but letting the kids paint them is part of the fun.
- Paint and paintbrush, spray paint, markers, or crayons – Whatever you would like to use to add color to your stars. You can even wrap them in jute or yarn.
- Jute cord – or yarn/string – Some type of cord to attach your stars to so you can create the garland. Fishing line could also work if you have that on hand or would like the line/strand not to be noticeable.
- Hot glue gun and glue sticks, craft or regular glue – Depending on the age of the children making these stars will determine what type of glue is best to use. I prefer hot glue when I make them myself or with older kids just because it dries faster.
- Scissors – or something to use to cut the string or line you will use for your garland or homemade ornaments.
- Pipe cleaners or fuzzy sticks – This is optional – You will need about 5 to 10 depending on the length of your garland. This is used to add a fun or special look.
- Pencil – A pencil will be needed if you are making the pipe cleaner zig-zag or curly ques for your garland.
How to make stars out of popsicle sticks: First Big Step In Making Popsicle Stick Star Garland
- Color/paint your popsicle sticks. Or you can buy colored popsicle sticks.
- After your craft sticks are dry, you can start forming your star by arranging the sticks in the desired position. It’s best to do this before gluing them so that you can see how you want to place your craft sticks. Please refer to the picture below for a visual representation. Once you have decided on the placement of your craft sticks, you will be ready to create your craft stick crafts.
- Glue the 1st popsicle stick to the second stick forming the beginning of a capital letter A or a teepee. Use only a small blob of glue.
- Then follow any of the next steps you would like, to form your craft stick stars.
- I will go on instructing you one way but realize that there are multiple ways of making a star shape.
- As a Tip – make sure when forming your star that there is a big enough opening to put the string through the right and left top tips.
- Add the third popsicle stick as to cross the two sticks making a letter A. With a bit of glue push it down.
- Look at the picture for reference.
- Next add the fourth craft stick to one of the bottom ends of your A or teepee. Cross it diagonally to the end of the stick you crossed your A with and glue it.
- Now add the final craft stick to the other bottom end and glue it diagonally.
- There you have your final shape. Continue making your stars till you have enough to create your garland.
How to make a garland with your popsicle stick stars
1. First cut your jute/string/or yarn to your desired length.
2. Next you will put the jute through the stars. Look at the picture for reference. You will strand the string through the right and left top tips of the star. If you didn’t leave enough space then you can hot glue them with bits of glue to the string.
3. Continue to string on more stars till you have enough for your garland. Alternating different star sizes like jumbo and small ones throughout your garland can give the garland a personal touch.
4. The last step is to make a loop at each end of the jute so you can hang it.
5. This is an optional addition/step or a great idea to add some extra cuteness to your garland.
- Get a pipe cleaner and wrap it around a pencil or your finger. Then pull it off. It will give you a zigzag or spiral look. You can stretch it out a little for a cuter look.
- Twist that curly pipe cleaner onto the jute/string in the places you want to add it.
Now all you have to do is find a great spot to hang your popsicle stick star garland.
Once you have learned how to make your own stars, you can easily transform them into popsicle stick star ornaments by simply adding a small piece of string to hang them individually. You can also use them as star gift tags.
If you are planning to make these stars for Christmas activities, this would be an easy and fun project to undertake. You can decorate your entire house with these homemade decorations by adding them to a Christmas tree as Christmas ornaments and using them as garlands to hang over the mantle, tree, or doorways.
If you have a strand of holiday lights you could add some of the craft stick star ornaments to the light strand. This will then in essence create a popsicle stick star garland with the light strand being your rope.
Making these popsicle stars for a patriotic celebration can be lots of fun. They can be decorations in and of itself just scattered around or hung as ornaments. Patriotic popsicle star garlands can make wonderful table runners or a great decoration hung above or on a table for a 4th of July gathering.
I have many other garland ideas to look at that are fun for kids of all ages. Garlands can be made from cardboard, wood, or cloth among other items.
Making garlands can be an easy project and a fun way to decorate areas for the holiday season.
Don’t forget that it’s a great way to spend some quality time with the kids that won’t cost you much.