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Indoor activity

Popsicle Stick Picture Frame

Build and decorate a colourful picture frame from popsicle sticks — then frame your favourite drawing or photo!

Ages 3-10 0-1 hours Education 4/10

Materials

  • Popsicle Sticks
  • Poster Paint
  • PVA Glue
  • Stickers optional
  • String optional

Illustrated Steps

1

Build the Frame

Lay 4 popsicle sticks in a square, overlapping at corners. Glue and add a second layer for strength.

2

Paint Your Frame

Paint the frame with poster paint — one colour or a different colour on each side. Let it dry!

3

Decorate and Personalise

Add stickers, buttons, or gems to make your frame unique and one of a kind.

4

Mount Your Picture

Tape a drawing or photo to the back. Add a string loop for hanging or a card stand for display!

What You’ll Create

Frame-worthy art deserves a frame-worthy FRAME! 🖼️ Your little artists will build a sturdy picture frame from popsicle sticks, paint it in gorgeous colours, decorate it with stickers and patterns, and use it to display their favourite drawing, painting, or family photo. It makes a brilliant homemade gift — especially for grandparents!

Have fun!

  • 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Make frames for the whole family — each person decorates their own style!
  • 🌊 Theme your frame — seashells for a beach photo, leaves for an autumn picture!
  • 🧲 Glue a magnet to the back for a fridge frame!
  • 📅 Make seasonal frames — one for every holiday throughout the year!

Why It’s Amazing

  • Construction Skills: Aligning sticks, applying glue, and building layered structures teaches basic construction and patience. 🏗️

  • Design Thinking: Choosing colours, patterns, and decorations develops aesthetic sense and personal expression. 🎨

  • Gift-Giving: Making a frame for someone else teaches children the value of thoughtful, handmade gifts. 🎁

  • Pride in Work: Framing their own artwork shows children their creations are valued and worth displaying. ⭐

Pro Tips

For ages 3–5: Pre-glue the frame and let them focus on painting and sticker decoration. Use chunky stickers and thick brushes. Help them choose a special drawing to frame.

For ages 5–8: Let them build the frame with guidance. Show them how overlapping corners creates strength. Challenge them to create a themed frame that matches the picture inside.

For ages 8–12: Introduce more complex designs — hexagonal frames, multi-opening frames, or frames with a “window” cut from card behind the sticks. Challenge them to make frames as gifts, thinking about what the recipient would like.

Secret Pro Move: Before painting, wrap the sticks with coloured washi tape for an instant no-mess decoration — the tape adds pattern and colour without any drying time! 🎀