TigerChef

Summer is finally here and you know what that means- hot weather and of course Popsicles!!! Ever noticed how many Popsicle sticks you can collect in just a short amount of time? If your family loves Popsicles as much as mine does, you are now going to love the sticks even more.  Learn how creative you can be with those sticks once thought to be so annoying.

1) Plant marker

If you’re anything like me, let’s just say you have a hard time remembering which plant is growing where in your garden. Nothing to worry about, it is just that we have a whole load of other things to on our minds. Is that plant parsley?... or maybe it’s thyme? Let the Popsicle sticks do the remembering for you by using them as plant markers. Simply mark the stick with the type of seed you planted and stick it into the ground.

2) Paint Stirrer Say good-bye to paint/glue marked fingers. Use the Popsicle sticks instead of your fingers to spread white glue or paint. You can also use it to stir paint when you want to mix colors or just need to stir some paint in a container.

3) Puzzles

Depending on how large you want the puzzle to be, that is how many Popsicle sticks you should put together. Lay the Popsicle sticks alongside each other and put a strip of tape over it to keep the Popsicle sticks from moving while drawing. Turn them over so that the tape is on the bottom and draw whatever picture you would like using markers. Remove the tape and mix up the sticks. Now try putting them back together. For a greater challenge, draw two different pictures- one on each side.

4) Bookmarks

When you’re all curled up on the couch reading a book and licking a Popsicle, don’t get rid of that Popsicle stick just yet. There is nothing like a bookmark when it is made of a Popsicle stick. Just stick the stick into your book and voila!

5) Home-Made

Finished with the Popsicle? Why not save yourself a buck or two by reusing the sticks to make home-made Popsicles. Pour some juice or yogurt into a Popsicle mold or a good, old-fashioned plastic cup, stick in a stick and stick it in the freezer!

6) Finger Splint

Let’s say that you were playing basketball when the ball landed right on the tip of your finger and you have reason to believe that it is either broken or badly sprained. Here is a short-term solution. Take a Popsicle stick and convert it into a splint until you can get your digit checked out by a professional.  Simply tape a stick to your finger to help alleviate some pain. The Popsicle stick will keep your finger immobile and prevent further injury.

7) Puppets

Want to make a puppet show but have no puppets? You can either draw faces on paper plates and stick them onto the tip of the Popsicle sticks or you can actually use the sticks as the puppets itself. Cut out clothing from either color paper or felt, use yarn for the hair and googly eyes for the eyes.

Filed under: How-To • General

Tags: popsicle sticks