How to Make a Detailed Popsicle Stick Castle

Purchase packages of craft sticks at any well-supplied craft store.

Whether it's for a princess or a pirate, a craft stick castle is as much fun to play with as it is to make. For children interested in making a workable stick castle, the key is using sturdy cardboard supports and getting creative in the details. This activity is best for older elementary-aged children, and could even double as a school project.

Things You'll Need

• Pencil
• 250 craft sticks
• Scissors
• Glue gun and glue sticks
• Shoe box
• 2 to 4 round cardboard canisters, such as from powdered drink mixes or chip tubes
• Paint and brushes
• Construction paper
• Toothpicks

Instructions

1. Set the cardboard box in front of you, open side up and one of the long sides facing you. The box will be the main part of the castle. Use a pencil to sketch where the large drawbridge will be, as well as any small windows, on the box. Measure the drawbridge so that it is about the length and height of a craft stick.

2. Cut the drawbridge door out of the cardboard box with scissors and set the cardboard piece aside. Cut out any windows as well. Measure the height of the box against a craft stick, and trim down any excess cardboard that is taller than the stick. The top of the shoebox should not be higher than an upright stick.

3. Glue craft sticks onto the side of the shoebox. Begin at one corner of the box. Run a thin line of glue on the back of one craft stick, then immediately press the stick to the box. Sticks should be vertically aligned. Glue another stick right next to the first so there is no cardboard visible between them. Continue gluing craft sticks until you reach a cutout area featuring a door or window.

4. Cut craft sticks to fit around the window and door shapes. Snip craft sticks easily with sturdy scissors. Glue snipped stick pieces around windows and door cutouts, taking care not to cover these up. Continue gluing whole and snipped craft sticks around the shoebox until it is completely covered. Allow these to dry, about 10 minutes.

5. Create the castle parapet by gluing snipped craft sticks along the top of the castle walls. Snip 1/3 off a craft stick, then place a dot of glue near the cut end. Glue it onto the castle so that the rounded end rises up. Repeat with more craft stick ends, spacing them about 1 inch apart to create the "sawtooth" look of traditional medieval castles. Allow these to dry, about 10 minutes.

6. Use the same gluing technique on the round cardboard canisters. Start at one point on the canister and glue a craft stick in place. Glue another stick right next to the first. Check that the sticks are completely touching sides to ensure complete coverage. Repeat with other cannsters until all of them are covered by craft sticks. Allow these to dry, about 10 minutes.

7. Create tower roofs by cutting half circles out of 8- by 11-inch construction paper. Fold the paper into a cone and glue the ends together to keep the shape. Carefully glue the paper roof onto the round canister towers. Allow them to dry, about 10 minutes.

8. Make a drawbridge for the castle using craft sticks. Lay two sticks in front of you about 2 inches apart, parallel and horizontal. These are the support sticks. Place a dot of glue on each end of the two sticks, then set another craft stick onto the glue, perpendicular. This connects the two support craft sticks. Continue gluing craft sticks perpendicular to the support sticks until the entire length of the support sticks is covered with craft sticks. Let these dry completely, about 10 minutes.

9. Attach the round towers to the main body of the castle using the hot glue gun. Place a tower on each side, or at each corner if you desire. Glue the drawbridge to the door frame, either closed, open or halfway open. Allow the castle to dry, about 10 minutes.

10. Add details to the castle. Try painting the craft sticks to resemble gray stone by using a light gray base coat and use a sponge dipped in darker gray paint to create texture. Add small flags on the tower roofs using construction paper and toothpicks. Add craft moss around the base of the castle walls to resemble shrubs and trees. Make a coat of arms to hang above the drawbridge. Include small action figures inside the castle.

Tips & Warnings

• A craft stick castle can be made even bigger and more detailed by using several more boxes and canisters in different shapes and sizes.

• If this project must be transported, such as to school, consider attaching it to a large flat piece of cardboard to form a base. You can decorate the base with additional details if desired.

• Try building other craft stick accessories, such as catapults and bridges, to enhance the detailed castle.

• Small children should not snip craft sticks without the assistance of an adult.

References

• Home and Garden Ideas; Simple Craft Stick Castle; Holly Schoch; March 23, 2011
• The Artful Crafter: Popsicle Stick Bridges
• Kaboose: Crafts with Popsicle Sticks