SRC 2015: Build It! Tween Activity Theme #3. Build it Yourself: Popsicle stick building: Birdhouses and more! Prepared by Beverly Westerby, TNRD Library System Suggested Books: Staff should display books about construction‐themed crafts or anything that includes craft sticks/popsicle sticks. Books about skyscrapers and other buildings would also be interesting just for theme’s sake. The purpose is to show kids how craft sticks/popsicle sticks can be used as building blocks for many different crafts. For this activity, staff will be setting up a craft space with a large supply of craft/popsicle sticks. While there will be some templates available to guide children with a few projects, creativity and imagination should also be encouraged. Here are a few ideas for build it yourself DIY projects: bird feeders, boats and airplanes These are all great summer build it projects that are fairly simple and inexpensive for children to make. Alternatively, the library can provide the instructions for some of these activities for children to take home and do at home if the library is limited on supplies. Instructions for different crafts Bird feeder Materials 50 popsicle sticks (for each house) 1 large popsicle stick (tongue depressor) bird seed 1 tub of outdoor paint 2 long pieces of thick string for hanging (per birdhouse) Glue Directions Line up 12 popsicle sticks. Glue 2 sticks across them. Turn it over. Do a second row of popsicle sticks going in the opposite direction to strengthen the base. Alternate popsicle sticks around the frame once. Glue down to the tongue depressor. Continue alternating popsicle sticks around the outside until you have 6 rows, gluing each popsicle stick down as you go. Set aside to dry. Let the kids paint their bird feeder, (if desired) and set aside to dry. Staff: using a hot glue gun, attach the hemp cord to the underside of the bird feeder. Thread the cord underneath the top round of popsicle sticks (as shown above) and again, glue using a hot glue gun. Give each child some birdseed to put in their feeder when leaving. Popsicle stick boats For the boat's bottom, glue sticks, slightly spaced (they expand in water), onto support sticks. Leave space in middle for mast to fit snugly. Glue sticks across top (cut away part of middle stick to make room for mast). For mast, overlap two red sticks; glue. Cut newspaper or construction paper into a sail and cut slits in sail. Put sail on boat. Popsicle stick/Clothes peg Airplanes Provide 3 craft sticks 1 clothes peg Paint Craft foam Paint one spring‐style clothespin, two craft sticks, and one mini craft stick. Once dry, glue a craft stick on top and bottom of the clothespin as wings, and the mini craft stick as the tail. Cut a triangle from crafts foam and glue it upright atop the mini craft stick. If you want to make it into a magnet, once dry, glue strong magnets on the bottom of the clothespin. Table Activity: Help the bluebird find her way into the birdhouse to feed the baby birds