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Clean and Scentsible

Handmade Christmas Ornaments – Popsicle Stick Sleds

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I always like to make at least one handmade Christmas ornament each year. They add that personalized touch and I really enjoy looking back at older ornaments as I pull out the Christmas decorations.  This year I’m doing a wintery Christmas cabin theme in our family room so I decided to make some cute popsicle stick sleds.  I’ve seen a few different versions of these popsicle stick sleds on Pinterest but initially saw them over on Fireflies and Mudpies.

Popsicle stick sleds. These easy handmade Christmas ornaments can be dressed up or done as a simple kids Christmas craft.

Popsicle Stick Sleds Christmas Tree Ornaments Tutorial

These cute little popsicle stick sleds are an easy Christmas craft that’s fun for both kids and adults.  Make them as simple as you would like or dress them up with some creative embellishments!

MATERIALS

  • popsicle {craft} sticks {2 regular sized and 5 small per sled}
  • wood glue
  • wood stain
  • paint
  • twine
  • glue dots
  • embellishments if desired {I used a couple of jingle bells, some faux flocked greenery, and baker’s twine}

This post contains affiliate links.


Popsicle stick sleds. These easy handmade Christmas ornaments can be dressed up or done as a simple kids Christmas craft.

INSTRUCTIONS

  • Glue 4 of the small craft sticks together staggering the end stick on each side slightly lower.  I found the easiest way to apply the glue for this project was to squirt some glue out onto a paper plate and then use a large toothpick or skewer to apply the glue along the edges.  Allow to dry.

Popsicle stick sleds. These easy handmade Christmas ornaments can be dressed up or done as a simple kids Christmas craft.

  • Paint the small craft sticks whatever color you would like.  Allow to dry.
  • Stain the regular sized craft sticks using a rag.
  • Glue on the stained sled runners to the smaller popsicle sticks.  Again this is much easier to do if you use a skewer or large toothpick to apply the glue.

Popsicle stick sleds. These easy handmade Christmas ornaments can be dressed up or done as a simple kids Christmas craft.

  • Glue on the cross stick to the front of the sled.

Popsicle stick sleds. These easy handmade Christmas ornaments can be dressed up or done as a simple kids Christmas craft.

  • Add whatever embellishments you would like.  I took a few little sprigs of faux greenery, wrapped them in baker’s twine, and then threaded on a couple of small jingle bells.  I then just tied the baker’s twine around the cross bar.  If you’re doing this project with kids, they could decorate the sled or write their name and year on it.  I’ve even seen some that add a photo to the sled.

Popsicle stick sleds. These easy handmade Christmas ornaments can be dressed up or done as a simple kids Christmas craft.

  • Cut some regular twine to your desired length and attach to the underside of the cross bar using glue dots.  If you don’t have glue dots, you can use regular craft glue but, honestly, those glue dots are so much easier and way less messy.

Popsicle Stick Sleds DIY Video

 

Popsicle stick sleds. These easy handmade Christmas ornaments can be dressed up or done as a simple kids Christmas craft.

These little sleds look cute hung on the tree, but if you use a little creativity they can be used in many other ways as well.  Use them in rustic Christmas vignettes, add them to Christmas presents, or use them as name cards on your Christmas table.  The possibilities are endless!

Popsicle stick sleds. These easy handmade Christmas ornaments can be dressed up or done as a simple kids Christmas craft.

Popsicle stick sleds. These easy handmade Christmas ornaments can be dressed up or done as a simple kids Christmas craft.

For more handmade Christmas ornaments, check out these posts…

Sweater Star Ornaments

Rustic handmade Christmas star ornament using an old sweater.

Cinnamon Christmas Ornaments

Cute cinnamon Christmas ornaments. These smell SO good and are cute for gift toppers too!

Chalkboard Art Ornaments

Create these chalkboard art ornaments to add to your Christmas tree or other Christmas decor.

These rustic popsicle stick sleds are so pretty. They're an easy DIY Christmas tree ornament that and are so much fun to make!

 

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Comments

  1. Beverly says

    November 28, 2016 at 3:00 am

    These sleds are so adorable. I think I will make some with my grand kids this week.
    Bev

    Reply
    • Laura Horlacher says

      November 27, 2019 at 5:43 pm

      So far I decided that I want to do my tree in the red Christmas trucks and the sleds and then I’m going to find other ideas for maybe something different and I’m thinking burlap for the Garland

      Reply
      • Jenn Lifford says

        December 14, 2019 at 11:49 am

        Oh that would be awesome!

        Reply
  2. Katie - Mommy Scene says

    November 28, 2016 at 8:28 am

    So cute! My kids would love to make these. Saying hi from Family Joy Blog Link Up Party

    Reply
    • Jenn Lifford says

      December 3, 2016 at 4:43 pm

      Thanks so much Katie!

      Reply
  3. Sabrina says

    November 28, 2016 at 6:09 pm

    These are so adorable and so easy to make! I love them!

    Reply
  4. angie says

    November 29, 2016 at 2:09 am

    I love your handmade ornaments. For years my mothers tree was covered in them I have many on my own tree that get put up year after year and now my daughter has her own childrens art work on the tree. I love the ones you shared as I said I have also shared some on my blog at Shop Annies.

    Reply
  5. Melinda Mitchell says

    November 30, 2016 at 6:37 am

    So far, I’ve used all my popsicle sticks to make picture frames. I better get to licking some more! lol
    2ut

    Reply
    • Jenn Lifford says

      December 1, 2016 at 3:07 pm

      It’s a tough job but someone has to do it! 😉

      Reply
  6. Antonella | White House Crafts says

    November 30, 2016 at 7:26 pm

    These are so adorable!

    Reply
  7. Mother of 3 says

    December 2, 2016 at 12:58 pm

    These are just darling! I bet my boys would enjoy making them too! Pinned. Thanks for the idea and the tutorial

    Reply
  8. Melissa Lennig says

    December 3, 2016 at 1:51 am

    Very pretty! Thank you for linking to my sled ornaments!

    Reply
    • Jenn Lifford says

      December 3, 2016 at 4:40 pm

      Thanks for the inspiration! 🙂

      Reply
  9. JaneEllen Jones says

    December 4, 2016 at 12:10 am

    Love adorable sleds, cute, easy and affordable to make, winner all the way. Don’t know if will get to make for this year but will print out to have for next year.
    Just before Thanksgiving I get out my huge folder of holiday projects to do, sift thru for ones want to make, delete, usually add to from blogs offering projects, then decide again. So many wonderful holiday projects to make is hard to decide every year.
    Usually find several on your blog.
    Enjoy weekend and upcoming week.

    Reply
  10. Sara says

    December 5, 2016 at 4:15 am

    I think I’m going to have to make these with my kids this year! So cute and easy!

    Reply
    • Jenn Lifford says

      December 7, 2016 at 4:33 am

      Hope you have fun with them!

      Reply
  11. Kris @ Junk Chic Cottage says

    December 6, 2016 at 3:17 pm

    These are so precious. I pinned away. Thanks for sharing your inspiration.
    Kris

    Reply
    • Jenn Lifford says

      December 11, 2016 at 12:29 am

      Thanks so much Kris!

      Reply
  12. Nancy Elizabeth says

    December 6, 2016 at 3:36 pm

    Jenn, I found your blog today and love the idea of the sleds. Garden Club will be delighted to make these as a place setting favor for our Christmas Party! for each member to take home.

    Thank You
    Nancy Elizabeth

    Reply
    • Jenn Lifford says

      December 7, 2016 at 4:30 am

      What a wonderful idea! Thanks for letting me know.

      Reply
  13. Nancy says

    December 10, 2016 at 3:02 pm

    Love the little sleds! Thanks!

    Reply
    • Jenn Lifford says

      December 11, 2016 at 12:25 am

      Thank-you! Merry Christmas!

      Reply
  14. Heather says

    December 11, 2016 at 3:06 pm

    These are so clever and a little different from the usual ornaments. I’ve never seen short popsicle sticks; where did you find them?

    Reply
    • Jenn Lifford says

      December 11, 2016 at 7:44 pm

      Thanks so much! The short popsicle sticks were just from Michaels but I’m sure other craft stores would have them and maybe even the dollar store too.

      Reply
  15. Cucicucicoo: Eco Sewing and Crafting says

    December 12, 2016 at 9:19 pm

    Oh wow, my mother’s friend made me one of these when I was a little girl and I always loved it! I have to try this! 🙂 Lisa

    Reply
    • Jenn Lifford says

      December 13, 2016 at 2:26 am

      Full circle! 🙂

      Reply
  16. Krystal Stanich says

    May 10, 2017 at 10:39 am

    I’m a librarian at a public library and would love to do this craft this coming Christmas season. Would it be possible for me to use your image (with your credentials on it) to promote the craft? We promote with fliers around the library and social media posts.

    Reply
    • Jenn Lifford says

      May 11, 2017 at 6:50 pm

      Yes, you’re welcome to use the image with credentials or a link back to the post if on any social media. I hope it works out well for you!

      Reply
  17. Debby Koestner says

    October 15, 2017 at 8:08 pm

    I try to make my friends a Christmas ornaments every year I just love this idea.Thanks I plan to start tomorrow because Christmas is just around the corner.

    Reply
    • Jenn Lifford says

      October 15, 2017 at 8:17 pm

      Smart idea to get started early. Time between now and Christmas always flies!

      Reply
  18. Rebecca says

    October 30, 2017 at 2:35 pm

    What size bells did you use? 1/2 inch or 3/4th?

    Reply
    • Jenn Lifford says

      October 31, 2017 at 9:19 am

      I didn’t measure them but I think they would either be 1/2 inch or possibly even a little smaller.

      Reply
  19. Teresa says

    November 7, 2017 at 1:31 pm

    These sleds are darling! What kind of paint did you use to get that rich red color?

    Reply
    • Jenn Lifford says

      November 7, 2017 at 2:30 pm

      Thanks! I like to buy the little jars of sample paints from Home Depot. This one was a BEHR one coat paint – I think it might have been called Barn Red?

      Reply
    • Teresa says

      November 8, 2017 at 9:27 am

      Thank you, Jenn! Hope to try it with my 8 year old grandson as gifts for his step siblings coming from England for Christmas. He likes crafts, but nothing “girly”!!

      Reply
  20. Chardel Gerlach says

    November 12, 2017 at 6:54 pm

    Could you please tell me how many inches long the small sticks are on this sled ornament? Thank you

    Reply
    • Jenn Lifford says

      November 13, 2017 at 11:15 am

      I would guess about 3 inches? At our craft store they had small popsicle sticks (that were used for the top and sled platform) and the regular sized sticks that you find on popsicles (that were used for the sled runners). There are also jumbo popsicle sticks – I guess you could use these for the base and regular sized sticks for the top and sled platform if you wanted a bigger sled.

      Reply
      • Chardel Gerlach says

        November 13, 2017 at 2:17 pm

        Thank you fo
        r your quick reply! Looking forward to making them.

        Reply
  21. Chardel Gerlach says

    November 12, 2017 at 6:56 pm

    Also, what kind of paint do you recommend? Thank you

    Reply
    • Jenn Lifford says

      November 13, 2017 at 11:08 am

      You could really use any kind of craft paint. I used some paint samples of BEHR paint left over from another project.

      Reply
      • Chardel Gerlach says

        November 13, 2017 at 2:19 pm

        So Behr, being wall paint??

        Reply
  22. Joanne e. Brown says

    December 9, 2017 at 5:33 am

    I had forgot about making these sleds years ago for my family. Putting their name on them. Thanks for being this back to me. Joanne

    Reply
    • Jenn Lifford says

      December 9, 2017 at 1:28 pm

      There’s nothing like Christmas memories! Glad they brought back some nice memories!

      Reply
      • christine.ewing says

        September 17, 2018 at 5:17 pm

        Thanks for this great idea. I am going camping with my niece and her two little girls. This will be great to do if it rains.

        Reply
        • Jenn Lifford says

          September 23, 2018 at 9:27 am

          Good to be prepared! 😉

          Reply
  23. Tom Stuart says

    October 24, 2018 at 12:56 pm

    Linn, this is a great sled. We are always looking for new ways to decorate for the holidays. These could be made in earth tones for Thanksgiving also. Popsicle sticks come in different sizes so there is a lot of flexibility to add these to wreathes, as ornaments, or centerpieces. Thank you for posting it.

    As my mind is racing I realized that by using scrap wood a version about 2 feet long could be made for the front porch either leaning there or with presents piled on top of it.

    Reply
  24. Amelia says

    October 28, 2018 at 9:29 pm

    Just so you know, these things take a long time to make so I would suggest making them in smaller batches if you don’t have much time.

    Reply
  25. Jessica says

    December 9, 2018 at 7:57 pm

    Could you use a hot glue gun for This? Since my daughter has started school I’ve become quite handy with one so I always have glue sticks around!!! I’d like to make some of these for her teachers and my fellow hair stylists at work!!!

    Reply
    • Jenn Lifford says

      December 9, 2018 at 8:41 pm

      Yes, for sure!

      Reply
  26. Kate says

    March 31, 2019 at 3:27 pm

    Years ago when one of my sons was in elementary school(he will be fifty years old his next birthday) his teacher made all her students sleds like these for Christmas gifts and I still hang his on our Christmas tree every year. Glad to learn how to make them now.

    Reply
    • Jenn Lifford says

      April 9, 2019 at 8:20 am

      Oh that’s so cool! I love that you have kept it all of these years. Thanks for sharing your story!

      Reply
  27. Pranali says

    December 2, 2019 at 8:32 am

    Such an adorable sled. Love the idea. My 10 years old is taking on this project this year give his friends as a Christmas gift.
    I have also included this in my blog post, please check it out. Thank you so much again.

    Empirical Mom – 51 DIY Christmas Ornaments

    Reply
    • Jenn Lifford says

      December 14, 2019 at 11:48 am

      Thanks so much! I hope your son has fun with them!

      Reply
  28. Michelle says

    November 17, 2020 at 10:38 pm

    Absolutely love these! I am unable to find longer sticks for the sleigh “runners” at the dollar store, but thought I could possibly use dollar store emery boards. Do you think this would work? If not, any other suggestions?

    Reply
    • Jenn Lifford says

      November 21, 2020 at 9:24 pm

      You can buy the popsicle sticks on Amazon or at Michaels. My concern with the emery board is that it might be too thin with not enough material to glue – but you could always give it a try! The sleigh runners are usually the easiest popsicle sticks to find as they’re just the standard sized popsicle sticks. You might have more luck at another dollar store if you have others around you.

      Reply
  29. Lindsey says

    December 15, 2020 at 8:51 am

    So sweet!!! What color and type of wood stain did you use for the runners?

    Reply
    • Jenn Lifford says

      December 21, 2020 at 2:17 am

      Any wood stain will work. I believe this was MinWax in a dark walnut stain.

      Reply

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Meet Jenn

Hi there! I'm Jenn, mommy to two busy {and very cute!} boys and wife to a very tolerant hubby. I love all things crafty and creative and have created this blog to share my ideas and favorite finds. I hope you enjoy your visit! Read More…

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