Crafts with Pom Poms and Popsicle Sticks

Pom poms and popsicle sticks are one of the easiest, most colorful craft combinations you can keep on hand at home, school, or summer camp. These two simple materials transform into ice pops that never melt, fuzzy caterpillars, Christmas tree ornaments, and so much more—all in under 30 minutes per project.

This article walks you through specific, quick projects including pom pom ice pops, holiday trees, quirky critters, and even STEM-inspired ideas using just a handful of supplies. Most crafts work beautifully for ages 3–10, with clear notes about when an adult should step in to help with hot glue or scissors.

• Low cost: Bulk pom poms and craft stick packs run about $1–2 each
• Easy cleanup: Everything wipes off tables and sweeps into the trash
• Great for fine motor skills: Picking up small pom poms builds hand strength and coordination
• Perfect for rainy days or themed parties: Set up a craft station in minutes

Why Pom Poms and Popsicle Sticks Are a Perfect Pair

These two materials complement each other in ways that make crafting intuitive for little hands. Pom poms bring texture, softness, and vibrant color, while popsicle sticks provide structure, a handle, and a flat surface for gluing. Together, they create opportunities for both imaginative play and decorative art.

The developmental benefits add up quickly. Picking up small pom poms (ranging from 0.5 to 2 inches in diameter) strengthens pincer grasp and fine motor skills. Gluing them precisely onto sticks builds hand–eye coordination. And because there are no strict rules, children boost creativity by experimenting with patterns, colors, and designs.

Here are a few concrete examples of what kids can create:

• Pattern practice: Line pom poms along a stick in red–blue–red–blue sequences
• Simple bridges: Build a basic popsicle stick structure and decorate it with colorful pom poms
• Number sticks: Write numerals 1–10 on sticks and glue the matching count of pom poms on each
• Pretend food: Stack pom poms on a craft stick to simulate ice cream scoops or fruit pops

Practical pros for parents and teachers:

• Easy to store in a bin or shoebox
• Inexpensive multi-pack colors available at dollar stores
• Can be reused for new projects when glued to cardstock or foam
• No batteries, screens, or complicated setup required

Supplies Checklist for Pom Pom & Popsicle Stick Crafts

Before you start crafting, gather these materials or consider using DIY kits so kids can jump right in.

Essential supplies:

• Regular popsicle sticks (about 4.5 inches long) and jumbo sticks for larger projects
• Assorted pom poms in sizes from 1 cm to 3 cm
• White school glue for younger kids
• Hot glue gun for adults handling assembly
• Child-safe scissors
• Cardstock in various colors
• Markers or crayons
• Optional: googly eyes, pipe cleaners, construction paper, rubber bands

Storage tip: Keep everything in a labeled plastic shoebox or caddy so children can craft independently after initial setup.

Budget-friendly ideas:

• Buy 500-count pom pom bags and 200+ craft stick packs from craft stores or online
• Watch for back-to-school sales in August when supplies drop in price
• Save, wash, and dry leftover ice pop sticks from summer treats

Easy Pom Pom & Popsicle Stick Crafts for Preschoolers (Ages 3–5)

These projects take about 10–20 minutes each and use only school glue plus pre-cut fun shapes for safety. They’re perfect for preschoolers who love pressing, sticking, and decorating without needing advanced cutting skills.

• Pom Pom Ice Pops: An adult cuts cardstock into an ice pop shape (about 5–6 inches tall). Kids glue a popsicle stick as the handle, then cover the front with glue or double sided tape. Little ones press on colorful pom poms in stripes or rainbow patterns. This simple craft makes a summer treat that never melts—perfect for pretend play in July or August.
• Fuzzy Friends on a Stick: Children glue a row of pom poms along a craft stick, then add googly eyes and draw a smile with marker. The result? Adorable caterpillars, worms, or friendly monsters that double as puppets for playtime.
• Color Match Sticks: Paint or color each stick one solid shade (blue, red, yellow). Kids then glue matching pom poms along the stick. This project reinforces color recognition while keeping little hands busy.
• Counting Wands: Write numbers 1–5 on individual sticks. Children glue the corresponding number of pom poms on each. These become a quick math station in preschool classrooms or a fun game at home.
• Safety note: Adults should supervise all gluing. Avoid tiny pom poms (under 1.25 inches) if children are still mouthing objects, as they present a choking hazard.

Step-by-Step: Classic Pom Pom Ice Pop Craft

This featured project is perfect for summer playdates, birthday party craft tables, or setting up a pretend ice cream shop during the warm months. Kids love making these because they look delicious but last forever.

What you’ll need:

• Pastel or bright cardstock
• Standard popsicle sticks
• Assorted pom poms (3–5 per ice pop)
• Double sided tape or white glue
• Scissors

Step-by-step instructions:

1. Trace or draw an ice pop shape onto cardstock (rounded top, straight sides, about 5–6 inches tall)
2. Have the child cut along the lines, or pre-cut for younger kids
3. Glue a popsicle stick to the back as the handle
4. Cover the front with double sided tape or spread white glue generously
5. Press pom poms onto the sticky surface in stripes, sprinkles, or rainbow patterns
6. Let dry for 10–20 minutes if using glue

Design variations:

• Heart-shaped ice pops for Valentine’s Day
• Star shapes for the Fourth of July
• Pumpkin shapes for October “frozen treats”
• Rainbow stripes using one pom pom of each color

Extend the fun: Use finished ice pops to set up a pretend “ice pop stand” with a cardboard box counter and play money. This encourages imaginative play and introduces simple math concepts like counting and making change.

Holiday Crafts: Pom Pom & Popsicle Stick Christmas Trees

These festive trees make quick ornaments or classroom gifts and can be completed in under 30 minutes—ideal for December craft days when you need projects that feel special but don’t eat up the whole afternoon.

• Basic triangle tree: Arrange three popsicle sticks in a triangle and glue them together at the corners. Paint the sticks green or leave them natural wood. Fill the center with green pom poms as fluffy “branches.”
• Add ornaments: Use mini multicolor pom poms as decorations scattered among the green. Top the tree with one yellow pom pom, a foam star, or a small wooden star cut from cardstock.
• Glue options: School glue works fine for younger kids but requires patience—it takes 15–20 minutes to set. Hot glue is faster and more durable, but reserve it for older kids (12+) or adult handling only.
• Display ideas: Tie a ribbon loop through the top stick for hanging as Christmas ornaments. Attach finished trees to gift bags as toppers. Line them up on a mantel as a mini forest display.

This project works best when started in early December so the trees are ready to hang and enjoy all season long. They also make great handmade gifts for grandparents and relatives who love keepsakes.

More Themed Pom Pom & Popsicle Stick Ideas

This section rounds up additional quick ideas for different seasons and themes throughout the year.

• Pom Pom Fireworks Wands: Attach a pipe cleaner “burst” to the top of a popsicle stick handle. Add pom poms at the ends of each pipe cleaner strand for a colorful explosion effect. These are awesome for New Year’s Eve celebrations or Fourth of July parties.
• Spring Flower Garden: Glue a circle of pom poms at the top of each stick to form petals, with a contrasting pom pom in the center. Draw stems and leaves on a sheet of construction paper and arrange the flower sticks in a row for a paper garden. This is a great project to discover with kids in April or May.
• Pom Pom Monster Bookmarks: Glue a large pom pom “head” to one end of a stick. Add googly eyes and felt teeth so the monster peeks out of a book when used as a bookmark. These make fun back-to-school gifts or library day crafts.
• Fuzzy STEM Bridges: Older kids can experiment with building simple bridges from multiple sticks, testing how many pom poms the structure can hold before collapsing. This ties into basic engineering lessons and makes learning feel like play.
• Seasonal display sign: Glue sticks into a square frame and fill with pom poms in holiday colors. Add a cardstock tag that says “Happy Fall” or “Merry Christmas” for a quick seasonal decoration.

Tips for Safe, Low-Stress Crafting with Kids

Keep craft time fun instead of frustrating with these practical strategies.

• Cover your workspace: Lay newspaper or a kraft-paper roll over the table. Keep a small bowl nearby for stray pom poms. This makes cleanup take seconds instead of minutes.
• Reserve hot glue for adults: Hot glue guns should only be handled by adults or supervised teens aged 12 and up. For little ones, stick with white school glue or glue sticks.
• Organize with muffin tins: Sort pom poms by color in muffin tins or ice cube trays. This helps younger kids see all their options and choose colors easily without digging through a bag.
• Limit session length: Plan for 1–2 projects and about 20–30 minutes of working time for preschoolers. Shorter sessions match short attention spans and end on a positive note.
• Embrace imperfection: Let kids make “messy” creations and choose their own color combinations. A caterpillar with seven eyes or a rainbow tree with brown pom poms builds confidence and lets creativity flourish. There’s no wrong way to create art.

How to Store and Display Pom Pom & Popsicle Stick Creations

Helping kids feel proud of their work means showing it off at home or in the classroom—but also managing the inevitable pile of projects that accumulates over time.

• String gallery: Hang a string or twine across a wall and use mini clothespins to clip up lightweight crafts like ice pops and fuzzy friends. Rotate pieces weekly to keep the display fresh.
• Fridge magnets: Attach adhesive magnet dots to the back of sturdy pieces and display them on the refrigerator. Kids love seeing their art every time they grab a snack.
• Seasonal storage: Store off-season crafts (like Christmas trees or Halloween monsters) in labeled shoe boxes or plastic bins organized by holiday and year—for example, “Christmas Crafts 2025.”
• Digital craft album: Take photos of larger or more delicate projects before recycling materials. Create a simple digital album with dates and kids’ ages so you can look back without filling every shelf with physical crafts.
• Share the love: Send finished crafts home with playdate guests as party favors, or mail them to grandparents as surprise gifts. This clears space while spreading joy.

Wrapping Up: Keep Crafting with Sticks and Pom Poms All Year

With just pom poms, popsicle sticks, and a bit of glue, you can create ice pops, trees, monsters, flowers, and dozens of other projects limited only by imagination. These materials are inexpensive, easy to store, and work for children across a wide range of ages.

Adapt the ideas for monthly themes to keep things fresh: hearts and red pom poms for February, bunnies for April, bright sun shapes for July, and pumpkins and bats for October. The same basic techniques apply no matter the season.

Set up a simple craft bin by the end of this week. Fill a box with sticks, pom poms, glue, scissors, and a few sheets of cardstock. Place it somewhere kids can access independently, and watch them choose their own stick-and-pom-pom project on weekends or after school.

Making memories around the craft table doesn’t require special artistic skills or expensive supplies. It just takes a little time together, a handful of materials, and the willingness to let kids explore. Grab some sticks, dump out the pom poms, and see what you create.