[For Seniors] Fun Recycling! A Collection of Craft Ideas Using Ice Cream Sticks
Why not make some lovely creations using ice cream sticks? The sticks left over from your fun summer memories are actually a versatile item for all kinds of crafts.
You can make plenty of practical pieces useful in daily life, like smartphone stands, small organizers, and coasters.
There are also ideas for play—such as 10-yen coin games, rubber band cars, and bows—so making them together with your grandchildren will surely be a hit.
Hands-on work also serves as brain training, making it perfect for supporting the health of older adults.
The methods are simple and fun, so give it a try!
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[For Seniors] Fun Recycling! A Collection of Craft Ideas Using Ice Cream Sticks (11–20)
catapult
Let me introduce a fun-to-play catapult.
Paint some color onto the popsicle sticks, stack five of them together, and secure both ends with rubber bands.
Take the remaining two sticks, band them together, then insert the stack of five between them and fix in place.
Secure the center by crossing a rubber band, and glue a plastic bottle cap to the end to finish.
Put a pom-pom in the bottle cap and launch it to play.
Making a target to aim at will make the game even more exciting.
It’s also fun to write numbers on the targets and turn it into a point-scoring game.
Pin Friends
Let me introduce some very cute “pin friends” made from popsicle sticks.
Draw faces on the sticks and add color.
Using washi tape or colored pens to create patterns will make them look bright and adorable.
Once you’ve finished drawing, glue the popsicle sticks onto clips and you’re done.
They’d look stylish and cute attached to a small message card or letter.
Making several in different sizes to create a set of pin friends would look festive when lined up, too.
Give it a try!
cabbage white (butterfly)
Here’s how to make a cabbage white butterfly using ice cream sticks.
Glue the sticks together to form the wing sections.
Shape the wings so they have a rounded form by trimming, shaving, and cutting as needed.
Make the body and antennae, then attach them.
Paint each part, and once dry, glue them together in the shape of a cabbage white butterfly to finish.
Each piece is delicate, so assemble carefully.
The large wings have a three-dimensional look, as if the butterfly might take off at any moment.
Give it a try!
rubber band car
Let me show you how to make a rubber band car where ice cream sticks quickly transform into a car.
Start by gluing the ice cream sticks together to create the base of the car.
Cut a straw and glue the pieces on to make the axle holders for the wheels.
Fit plastic bottle caps onto cut bamboo skewers and glue them in place to create the wheels.
Make a hook or catch for the rubber band, and once you attach the rubber band at the end, it’s complete.
The car launches using the spinning force from the rubber band, and it’s a lot of fun.
Try painting the ice cream sticks and make your very own original car!
dragonfly
Let me introduce an original dragonfly craft made with popsicle sticks.
Use two popsicle sticks and draw patterns with colored pens to create the wings.
You’re free to choose any colors and designs, so try drawing your own vibrant, original patterns.
Do the same by adding color to the body.
Use glue to attach the wings together, then glue them onto the body.
Finally, stick on the eyes and draw a mouth to finish.
It’s a great way to brighten up your room with your own handmade dragonfly.
Accessory stand
Ice-pop sticks might seem easy to collect in large quantities during summer, but if you can’t gather many at once or are concerned about hygiene, you can also buy them at 100-yen shops.
Let’s make an accessory stand using these sticks.
For the part where you display the accessories, neatly apply masking tape to the sticks in advance.
It’s fun to create various designs to match the amount of accessories you have.
Since it’s a hands-on activity, it’s also great for brain training.
[For Seniors] Fun Recycling! A Collection of Craft Ideas Using Ice Cream Sticks (21–30)
wooden clip
Let’s try making something useful for daily life with popsicle sticks.
It’s very easy and practical, so give it a try.
All you need is one wooden clothespin and two popsicle sticks.
Place the two sticks together and apply glue to the middle area.
Clip the glued part with the clothespin, and you’re done.
It’s handy for sealing wider items like snack bags, so be sure to make one.