Looking for a fun holiday craft project you can do with the kids?
These lollipop yard stakes go together in an afternoon. And, the kids can do so much of the project themselves (actually all of the project, if they are pre-teen or older).
Natalie and I painted the paperplates in traditional mint candy fashion (plus one with polka dots). We actually painted them last year, but never got around to finishing them until this year. The nice thing about this holiday craft is that they are easy to store — and take up very little space if you unassemble them before packing them away.
Here’s what you need:
- Paperplates – the thicker kind works best (2 needed for each lollipop)
- Paint – we used the inexpensive acrylic paint from the craft store
- Brushes
- Scissors & Hot glue gun
- Cellophane Wrap
- Ribbon
- 1/2 – 3/4 inch wood dowls (in desired length for lollipop sticks)
Here are the steps:
1. Paint the backs of the paper plates with your desired design. Remember to paint two plates for each lollipop. We painted our designs in pairs, so each lollipop would look the same on both sides.
2. Once the paint has dried, you cut a notch in each paper plate the width of the wood dowl. When the plates are glued together, this will create a hole for the dowl.
3. Glue the paperplates together (facing each other, with the painted design on the outside). Be sure to align the notches to make the hole for the dowl. Once glue is dry/hardened, insert wood dowl in notched hole.
4. Cut a sheet of cellophane about 24 by 24 inches. You may need to adjust the size if your plates are larger or smaller. Place the cellophane over the two plates that are glued together and gather it together at the bottom so that the end of the dowel sticks out.
5. Tie the cellophane with a ribbon where it is gathered, making a bow.
Lollipops can be used in your yard, in potted plants, in planters … or like Natalie — she has one in her bedroom.
Happy Crafting!
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