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Popsicle Stick Photo Frame - Easy DIY Craft for Kids

Popsicle stick photo frames are one of the simplest crafts kids can master! All you need are craft sticks from the hobby shop and acrylic paint to create beautiful frames for displaying favorite photos. They're perfect for any holiday - try red, white, and blue for Fourth of July, or swap out the colors for an easy gift for any season. This beginner-friendly project helps kids create personalized keepsakes while developing fine motor skills and creativity!

30-60 minutes Ages 3-12 2 steps may need help

About This Project

A 30–60 minutes craft for ages 3–12, using supplies you likely already have — White Glue, Craft Sticks, and Photographs.

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:

Beginner Craft Projects
Holiday Gifts
Photo Display Ideas
Fourth of July Crafts
Easy Kids Activities

Project Tags

frame gift home decor patriotic fourth of july indoor recycled materials fine motor skills budget friendly boutique solo project keepsake pattern making

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

White Glue
Unknown cupboard quantity You have: unknown

Craft Sticks
Unknown cupboard quantity You have: unknown

Photographs
Unknown cupboard quantity You have: unknown

Paint Brushes
Unknown cupboard quantity You have: unknown

Acrylic Paint
Unknown cupboard quantity You have: unknown
2
Make Popsicle Stick Photo Frame

Messy Mode

Paint the sticks

Cover your workspace to keep it clean. Using a paint brush and acrylic paint, paint 15 sticks. A light coat of paint not only dries quicker, it looks more rustic. If you want more BOLD colors, give the sticks two or even three coats of paint. You only need to paint one side. For our frame, we painted 5 sticks in each of the three colors for the background, then two more in blue for the top and bottom. Mess free tip: Use a pliers to hold the wet sticks to keep your fingers from getting messy.

Line up your popsicle sticks

Flip over your popsicle sticks and then use an extra stick to line them up into a perfect row. We used a giant stick from another package. A chopstick, piece of cardboard, or other straight edge would also work.

Glue your sticks together

Use four popsicle sticks along the back side to hold the remaining popsicle sticks in place. Hot glue works best with older children. Use white glue with younger children and allow for plenty of time to dry.

Glue the photo down

Use a glue stick to glue the photograph to the frame. Then, glue the last two painted popsicle sticks to hold it in place. Decorate with stickers and other embellishments.

Display your creation!

There are a few ways to display your frame. 1) Attach strong magnets to the back and put it on the fridge 2) Take apart a clothespin and glue it to the back to make a small stand 3) Use command adhesive to stick the frame in your favorite spot.

Your creative buddy says:

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

Step 1: Paint the sticks

May need grown-up help

Cover your workspace to keep it clean. Using a paint brush and acrylic paint, paint 15 sticks. A light coat of paint not only dries quicker, it looks more rustic. If you want more BOLD colors, give the sticks two or even three coats of paint. You only need to paint one side. For our frame, we painted 5 sticks in each of the three colors for the background, then two more in blue for the top and bottom. Mess free tip: Use a pliers to hold the wet sticks to keep your fingers from getting messy.

Step 2: Line up your popsicle sticks

Flip over your popsicle sticks and then use an extra stick to line them up into a perfect row. We used a giant stick from another package. A chopstick, piece of cardboard, or other straight edge would also work.

Step 3: Glue your sticks together

May need grown-up help

Use four popsicle sticks along the back side to hold the remaining popsicle sticks in place. Hot glue works best with older children. Use white glue with younger children and allow for plenty of time to dry.

Step 4: Glue the photo down

Use a glue stick to glue the photograph to the frame. Then, glue the last two painted popsicle sticks to hold it in place. Decorate with stickers and other embellishments.

Step 5: Display your creation!

There are a few ways to display your frame. 1) Attach strong magnets to the back and put it on the fridge 2) Take apart a clothespin and glue it to the back to make a small stand 3) Use command adhesive to stick the frame in your favorite spot.
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 white glue. Where they belong:

— Don't forget! Close glue lids.

Put away craft sticks. Where they belong:

Put away photographs. Where they belong:

Put away acrylic paint. Where they belong:

— Don't forget! Make sure all paint bottle lids are shut tight.

Put away paint brush. Where they belong:

— Don't forget! Rinse all the paint out of your paint brushes.
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

Popsicle Stick Photo Frame - Easy DIY Craft for Kids

About This Project

Project Tags

Find Supplies

Make Popsicle Stick Photo Frame

Step 1: Paint the sticks

Step 2: Line up your popsicle sticks

Step 3: Glue your sticks together

Step 4: Glue the photo down

Step 5: Display your creation!

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