Slide into the holiday spirit with this popsicle stick sled ornament! Made with just a few simple supplies — craft sticks, paint, and a little creativity — this mini sled is the perfect Christmas craft for kids, teens, and adults alike.
Whether you decorate it with pine sprigs and berries or keep it simple and rustic, this DIY sled ornament looks absolutely adorable hanging on the Christmas tree. It’s quick, easy, and full of cozy handmade charm — just the kind of craft that makes the season feel extra special!
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DIY Popsicle Stick Sled Ornament
Materials:
Equipment:
- Scissors (or craft knife)
Instructions:
Step 1: Find what you need
- Gather your supplies and materials.
Step 2: Connect the main part of the sled
- To make the base of the sled you’ll need 4 mini popsicle sticks.
- Line them up vertically so the center 2 stick out about 3/8 inch above the others.
- Cut another popsicle stick so that it has 2 flat ends and is about 1-1/4 inches long.
- Add hot glue (or tacky glue) to one side of this short stick.
- Set it in place horizontally across the mini popsicle sticks, connecting them. There should be a bit of space on either side.
Step 3: Paint the sled pieces
- Paint the popsicle sticks with red acrylic paint (or another colour of your choosing).
- Paint another mini popsicle stick with the same colour.
- Once they’re dry enough (this should only take a few minutes), flip them over and paint the back. Be sure to get the edges of the popsicle sticks as well.
- For the sled runners you’ll need 2 regular sized popsicle sticks.
- Paint both sides and the edges of these popsicle sticks with brown acrylic paint. Allow to dry.
Step 4: Put the sled together
- Add a thin line of hot glue on the back of the sled base, along the side.
- Set one of the brown sled runners on its side into the glue. Place it so about 1/2 inch sticks out below the base.
- Glue the second runner on the other side.
- Flip the sled over and glue the steering bar horizontally across the sled runners, placing it about 1/2 way between the sled base and the end of the runners.
Step 5: Decorate the sled
- Cut a 6 inch piece of metallic baker’s twine. This will double as the ornament hanger and the tow rope of the sled.
- Glue the ends of this twine to the back of the sled, on either end of the steering bar.
- Gather pieces of faux Christmas greenery to add to your sled.We used a small piece of garland, and cut a mini pine cone and holly berries from a holiday candle wreath.
- Then glue these items to the center of the steering bar.
- Your popsicle stick sled ornament is complete!
Helpful Tips:
- Adjust the size: If you don’t have mini popsicle sticks, you can easily use regular ones instead. Leave them full length for a larger sled, or cut them down to about 2-1/2 inches for a smaller ornament.
- Choose your hanger style: Use jute twine for a rustic farmhouse look, or go with thin satin ribbon to give your ornament a more polished, festive touch.
What size popsicle sticks do I need to make this sled ornament?
You’ll need:
- 6 mini popsicle sticks (about 2-1/2 inches long)
- 2 regular popsicle sticks (about 4-1/2 inches long)
These sizes give you the perfect proportions for a small sled ornament that looks cute on the tree, but is sturdy enough for some pretend play too.
How can I decorate my popsicle stick sled ornament?
You can keep your sled simple or dress it up however you like! Try one or more of these fun ideas:
- Leave it natural for a rustic look
- Use paint markers to add festive details, your name, or the year
- Add faux greenery, berries, and a mini pine cone
- Glue on jingle bells
- Add a glittery foam star
- Attach Christmas-shaped buttons or charms
What paint works best on a popsicle stick sled?
We recommend using acrylic paint for this craft. It gives great coverage with just one coat, dries quickly, and comes in tons of colours. You can even find it at the dollar store!
If you’re crafting with young kids, tempera paint is a washable option, though you might need to add an extra coat or 2 for solid colour.
This popsicle stick sled ornament is such a simple and charming way to celebrate the season. With its classic design and endless decorating options, it’s a craft that’s just as fun to make as it is to display.
Whether you hang it on your Christmas tree, tie it to a gift, or use it as part of your holiday decor, this little sled brings a perfect touch of handmade warmth to your winter celebrations.
Here’s even more easy Christmas craft ideas:
Glittering Popsicle Stick Christmas Trees
Now available
Low-Mess Crafts for Kids Book
72 cute and fun crafts that kids and parents alike can enjoy. All with as little mess as possible!
Where to buy:
You can purchase Low-Mess Crafts for Kids from Amazon, or wherever books are sold:
Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Books-A-Million | Indiebound | Amazon Canada
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