Popsicle Stick Bracelets a Fun and Wearable Kids Crafts

Popsicle sticks are good for a lot more than just holding frozen treats. I’ve made craft sticks into planters, tramp art, baskets and more. Popsicle stick bracelets have long been on my crafty “must try” list. This is the perfect summer craft for kids – leave the bracelet boiling to the grown-ups but then set the kids free with embroidery floss, paint, washi tape and more to make their own customized accessories.

There are a million different variations on these popsicle stick bracelets you could try but here I am going with a simple embroidery floss wrapped option. Floss is inexpensive and comes in a bazillion colors.

As a Girl Scout leader I was taking notes that this could be a great project for my troop. Three of my girls are modeling here.

Popsicle Stick Bracelets a Fun and Wearable Kids Crafts

One of the added bonuses of this project is that you don’t need many supplies. Once you have tongue depressor bracelets made how you adorn it, or in this case wrap it, is up to you.

Supplies for Bracelets

Craft sticks

Pot

Embroidery floss

Scissors

Drill

Glue

Step 1 – Boil Your Craft Sticks

Fill a pot with water and bring to a boil. Pop your sticks inside and let them get hot and saturated. This part should not take long.

Will the popsicle sticks burn me when I bend them?

Remove with tongs if you want, but I found that the sticks did not burn me when I touched them. Obviously use something besides your fingers to grab them out of the boiling water. There is a moment or two when the craft sticks are malleable from being boiled and cool enough to touch. Again this step is for adults.

Step 2 – Warp Popsicle Sticks Into Bracelet Shape

During that magic moment between too hot to handle and too cold to mold make the popsicle sticks into the shapes of cuff bracelets by putting inside cups or jars. This will allow the bracelets to dry and keep their shape? Remember the larger the cup the bigger the bracelet so think about whether these will be for kids or adults.

How long should I let the popsicle stick bracelets dry?

Overnight or 24 hours should be enough time to make sure your new craft stick cuff bracelets keep their shape.

Step 3 – Drill Holes In the Ends of Popsicle Sticks

You can leave the bracelets as just cuffs, but I found adding string to the ends to make them more adjustable was helpful. Smaller wrists tend to need the extra string at the end to tie the bracelet together. Use a hand drill to add a hole to each end of the craft stick bracelet.

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Step 4 – Begin Wrapping Popsicle Stick Bracelet

Starting at one end add a bit of craft glue and begin wrapping your bracelet. Cover the tail of the embroidery floss as you wrap. This is the part where you can get creative with patterns.

No need to add glue as you wrap if you are using the same thread for the entire thing. However, if you are doing stripes add a bit of glue each time you change colors.

Step 5 – Continue Wrapping and Attach Closure

Continue wrapping all the way until the end of the bracelet. Use two short lengths of yarn or floss to tie to the holes you drilled. These will help pull the ends of the popsicle stick bracelet tighter if need be. Speaking of yarn, you could do this same thing with yarn and it the wrapping would go quicker.

Did somebody say popsicle stick bracelet variations? Let’s go! These are from an older post I did for DIY Network but they are still just as cute today!

Washi Tape Wrapped

Short on time? Washi tape is your best friend here. No muss, no fuss – plus you can change the tape with your outfit whims!

Mix and match prints for a stack that looks intentional (safari zebra + leopard + tiger, anyone?). This is a great one for tweens who want something a little more “fashion” and a little less “camp craft.”

Pom-Pom & Trims

As I always say: everything is better with pompom trim and popsicle stick bracelets are no exception to this rule. After boiling and bending add pom-pom trim, glitter ribbon, or scalloped lace trim with hot glue.

Fabric Wrapped

Got fabric scraps left over from another project (who doesn’t) – this is their moment. Light weight fabric like cotton work best for this option. Attach the fabric to the popsicle stick using decoupage medium or a bit of Tacky glue.

Bonus points if you combine the fabric wrap and pompom trim options!

Photo Stickers

This one is great for party favors or camp crafts. Print small photos (or use printable photo sticker paper) and apply them to your blank popsicle stick bracelet. If you are feeling really ambitions you can seal with a strip of clear packing tape or Mod Podge .

So what do you think? Just for kids or would you wear one of these too? I’m telling you there are some super cute options out there that are surprisingly sophisticated for popsicle stick bracelets.

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Want more DIY jewelry inspiration? Keep reading!

Trendy Transformations for Craft Store Beads – Plain craft store beads are a lot like bracelets made from popsicle sticks – you can paint them, wood burn them or wrap them in embroidery floss.