Picture Frames: Popsicle Stick Frame

Have you preschooler pick up those popsicle sticks and start gluing to make this easy-to-decorate frame.

Materials:

• 8 popsicle sticks
• White glue (or hot glue)
• Cardboard
• Scissors
• Decorating material
• Double-sided tape

Place popsicle sticks side by side, lengthwise, in sets of two. Glue each pair together. Now place one pair along the top and one along the bottom of your photograph. They should overlap the photo slightly (trim photo if necessary). Then, line up the other two pairs vertically along the left and right edges of the photo, so that the photo doesn't show through (again, trim photo if needed). Slide out the photo and glue the frame together. When the glue is dry, decorate the frame.

Next, cut a piece of cardboard, smaller than the widest part of the frame. Use double-sided tape to stick the photo to the centre of the cardboard. Glue the cardboard to the back of the frame, making sure the photo sits centred in the window.

Variations: try using twigs, pieces of driftwood, or colour pencils instead of popsicle sticks

Notes:

• To hang frames, simply glue a piece of string or ribbon to the top two corners, or attach magnets to the back.
• Ideas for decorating materials: markers, pom-poms, wool, ribbon, raffia, foam shapes, jellybeans, candy, crayons, beads, buttons, glitter, wallpaper scarps, feathers, paint, fabric, pebbles, rocks, sand, stickers, stamps

By Rochelle Strauss