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3D Popsicle Stick Picture Frame - DIY Gift Craft for Kids

Make a Popsicle stick picture frame that really POPS with a few simple 3D layering tricks! This impressive craft creates beautiful handmade gifts for mom, dad, and grandparents using two copies of the same photograph to achieve a cool 3D effect. Kids will love decorating their frames with markers, stickers, and glitter while learning basic layering techniques. Perfect for special occasions or anytime you want to showcase favorite family photos!

10-30 minutes Ages 3-10 3 steps may need help

About This Project

A 10–30 minutes craft for ages 3–10, using supplies you likely already have — Glitter, Round Magnets, and Stickers.

GlueStick supports kids from setup to cleanup. After they choose a project, we guide them through gathering the supplies, making it, and cleaning up when they're done. We'll even help them share it safely with trusted family and friends.

Ad-free and kid-safe library — designed by a mom who wants kids to explore and create independently.

This project is perfect for:

Handmade Gift Projects
Popsicle Stick Crafts
Picture Frame Making
Family Photo Displays
Summer Camp Crafts

Project Tags

frame gift home decor indoor recycled materials fine motor skills budget friendly boutique solo project keepsake pattern making mothers day fathers day grandparents day christmas

1
Find Supplies

Do you have everything you need?

Create a free GlueStick account to track supplies and see if you have what you need at a glance. Leave your kids tips about where supplies are stored in your household so they can set up and clean up their creative spaces independently.

00:00

Glitter
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Round Magnets
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Stickers
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Scissors
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White Glue
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Markers
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Identical Photographs
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Popsicle Sticks
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Glue Dots
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2
Make 3D Popsicle Stick Picture Frame

Messy Mode

Select and print your photos

Select a great photo and print two identical copies. For best results with standard popsicle sticks, photos should be about 4 inches square. You may need to cut it down with a ruler.

Color your popsicle sticks

Color four of your popsicle sticks in any color or pattern you choose.

Glue two sticks to the trimmed photo

Using white glue, carefully glue your two plain popsicle sticks to the back of one of your photos. We placed our sticks on the top and bottom of the photo for stability.

Cut out the subject from the second photo

Using a scissors, carefully cut out the subject of the second photograph. The subject of a photo is the person, people, animal(s) or object(s) the photo is a picture of. Ask an adult for help if needed.

Make the 3D effect with glue dots

Using your glue dots, glue the cut photo to the first photo, making sure to line up the subjects carefully.

Add the frame

Glue the colored popsicle sticks to the front of the photograph using white glue.

Decorate and display

Decorate your frame with stickers, glitter, or other embellishments. Glue a magnet to the back to proudly display it on the fridge! Always supervise young children with magnets.

Your creative buddy says:

"I can't wait to make a project with you!"

Step 1: Select and print your photos

May need grown-up help

Select a great photo and print two identical copies. For best results with standard popsicle sticks, photos should be about 4 inches square. You may need to cut it down with a ruler.

Step 2: Color your popsicle sticks

Color four of your popsicle sticks in any color or pattern you choose.

Step 3: Glue two sticks to the trimmed photo

Using white glue, carefully glue your two plain popsicle sticks to the back of one of your photos. We placed our sticks on the top and bottom of the photo for stability.

Step 4: Cut out the subject from the second photo

May need grown-up help

Using a scissors, carefully cut out the subject of the second photograph. The subject of a photo is the person, people, animal(s) or object(s) the photo is a picture of. Ask an adult for help if needed.

Step 5: Make the 3D effect with glue dots

Using your glue dots, glue the cut photo to the first photo, making sure to line up the subjects carefully.

Step 6: Add the frame

Glue the colored popsicle sticks to the front of the photograph using white glue.

Step 7: Decorate and display

May need grown-up help

Decorate your frame with stickers, glitter, or other embellishments. Glue a magnet to the back to proudly display it on the fridge! Always supervise young children with magnets.
3
Clean up
Put things away so your space is tidy for next time.
Tidy up our space

Pick up anything that fell on the floor.

Wipe up any spills on the table.

Put your completed project somewhere safe!

Throw away all your trash and recycling.
Put away our supplies

Check off each supply when it is put away — and any clean-up tips underneath are done too. You might find a fun surprise!

Put away glitter. Where they belong:

Put away round magnets. Where they belong:

Put away stickers. Where they belong:

Put away white glue. Where they belong:

— Don't forget! Close glue lids.

Put away markers. Where they belong:

— Don't forget! Close all marker caps tightly.

Put away photographs. Where they belong:

Put away popsicle sticks. Where they belong:

Put away glue dots. Where they belong:

Put away scissors. Where they belong:
Update what we have left

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4
Save

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About the Author

STL Motherhood

I’m a boy mom, crafter and former reporter who loves taking my kids to superhero movies. Join me for a mix of traditional kid crafts, STEM fun and 3D printing.

More projects by this author

3D Popsicle Stick Picture Frame - DIY Gift Craft for Kids

About This Project

Project Tags

Find Supplies

Make 3D Popsicle Stick Picture Frame

Step 1: Select and print your photos

Step 2: Color your popsicle sticks

Step 3: Glue two sticks to the trimmed photo

Step 4: Cut out the subject from the second photo

Step 5: Make the 3D effect with glue dots

Step 6: Add the frame

Step 7: Decorate and display

Clean up

Tidy up our space

Put away our supplies

Update what we have left

Save

More projects you might like

Use what’s already at home

About the Author

STL Motherhood