-Written by Rianna Jamieson
Making art can be enjoyable no matter your age or ability! So why should we restrict ourselves to only making art in class or in therapy? This series is all about making art fun again in the comfort of your own home. These short crafts are easily accessible and can help re-focus, reduce stress, and improve relationships between family members and friends!
This periodic series will include short, simple and enjoyable crafts with step by step instructions and advice on how to make art more accessible to loved ones in order to make something beautiful.
Today’s craft is Popsicle People
You will need:
- Popsicle sticks
- Scissors
- Colored pens or markers
- A fine point black pen
- A pencil
- White stickers or labels
To make the Anna and Elsa characters you will also need:
- A palm size amount of maroon and blue fabric
- 2 small elastic bands the size of a dime (we used blue and clear loom bands)
- A circle shape to draw around (could be a pencil pot)
Bonus Step!
Either draw out your own template or download and print ours. You can make your Popsicle people as realistic or abstract as you like!
To make a pirate or doctor:
Step 1
Measure out the width of your Popsicle sticks onto your stickers to ensure that you don’t draw your design too wide.
Step 2
Draw the clothing design of your character onto your label.
Step 3
Color in your design however you like.
Step 4
Stick your clothes stickers onto your Popsicle stick. Trace on and color in the rest of their features.
No stickers? Draw directly on your Popsicle stick!
To make the Disney Frozen characters, Anna and Elsa:
Start by following steps 1-4 from the pirate and doctor but with the appropriate Anna and Elsa stencil. Then follow the steps below.
Step 5
Place your circular object in the corner of your piece of fabric and trace around its edge.
Once drawn out this should look like a 2D cone with the two straight sides joining at a right angle and one curved side. Like this!
Step 6
Lay your puppet over your cone shape of fabric so the point is about in line with their eyes. Flip over your puppet and loop your small elastic band over the fabric to keep it in place. The band should be in line with the bottom of your character’s neckline on the other side to disguise it as a necklace.
Step 7
Loop your elastic band about three times like you would with a hair tie.
Flip your puppet back over and you’ll have a cool cape for your Queen to wear! Repeat with maroon fabric to make Anna’s cape.
The rest is up to you! Switch up your colors, characters, or even make your whole family and put on a puppet show. These cute little people can be easily taken all around the house to explore! Whatever you do with them, be sure to share your photos, videos, and any other ideas with us on social media by tagging us.
Facebook: Institute for Therapy through the Arts
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Twitter: @ITAArtsTherapy