[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 (21–30)
wooden box
Let’s try making a wooden box that can hold small items like snacks or trinkets.
We’ll combine popsicle sticks to create the bottom and sides of the box.
You can use the sticks as they are, or, if you want a smaller box, cut the sticks into shorter pieces.
Popsicle sticks can be glued together with wood glue, so use the glue to assemble and shape the box.
You can use the finished box as is, or paint it with paints for a colorful finish.
felt ice
Let’s use popsicle sticks to make colorful, decorative popsicles.
They look cute and pop when you stand them up on a display.
Cut a puzzle mat—which you can buy at 100-yen shops—into any shape and size you like.
If it’s thin, glue two layers together and insert a popsicle stick in the center.
Glue felt in your favorite color to the outside, and make toppings from felt as well and stick them on to finish.
With a bit of creativity, you can make adorable popsicles.
bow
Let’s make a cool bow out of popsicle sticks and have some fun! Use about five sticks to form the shape of the bow, and use rubber bands for the bowstring.
Make the arrows using items like straws, and shape them with vinyl tape.
If the targets are light, they’ll be easy to knock down—try shooting at stacked paper cups or empty plastic bottles! As a group activity, enjoy a target practice game with friends, or compete to see whose arrow can fly the farthest.
Of course, it also makes a great gift for your grandchild.
Colorful folding fan
If you look closely, popsicle sticks resemble the ribs of a folding fan, don’t they? Let’s make a fan using origami and popsicle sticks.
It’ll look nice as a home decoration and would likely make a delightful gift, too.
This fan is the circular type.
Fold a sheet of origami paper into an accordion, then fold it in half; make four of these pieces.
Connect the four parts with double-sided tape.
Attach popsicle sticks to both ends, then flip it around and spread it open in the opposite direction to finish.
ice koma
Let’s try making an ice top that’s cool, refreshing, and beautiful to look at.
Freeze decorations like colorful, glittering beads or small toys inside the ice.
Silicone cups are recommended as molds.
Since silicone peels away smoothly from the ice, it’s easy to make.
Insert a popsicle stick to serve as the top’s spindle before freezing.
Once it’s chilled and solid in the freezer, it’s done.
To make it glide and spin more easily, give it a few spins at the start to shape and smooth the tip.
The decorations inside the ice look especially beautiful while the top is spinning.
Mini shuriken
Mini throwing stars that are perfect as gifts for your grandkids or as recreational play equipment.
Combine two ice cream sticks in an X shape to make them.
If you use the sticks as they are, the throwing star will be a bit large, so you can cut them to about half size if you prefer.
You can launch the finished star by placing it on your palm and flicking it with your finger.
To avoid mixing them up with others, it’s recommended to color them or write your name on them.
When using them in a group activity, try competing to see whose can fly the farthest.
Phone stand
These days, many older adults also have smartphones.
Having a stand to place a smartphone on is convenient and prevents you from misplacing it.
Let’s make a smartphone stand using popsicle sticks.
Assemble it in the shape of a chair; using a hot glue gun is handy because it bonds quickly.
Be careful when handling it, as the tip gets hot.
Adding bright colors will give it a cute finish.
Even if you accidentally cut a piece, you can easily fix it by gluing it back together with the hot glue gun.