How to Make a Lantern and Planter out of Popsicles

It’s time for Adult Summer Camp Crafts! I love going old school with popsicles!!! Too many exclamation points?!? Haha nope. Okay, getting into it. We couldn’t limit ourselves to one project with the popsicles so we did two! And don’t fret, we’ve got your adult cocktail at the end of this post! I found most of the supplies needed for these projects at the dollar store, except for the adult cocktails.

For the lantern project you’ll need popsicles, wood beads, craft twine, wax paper and either wood glue, elmer’s glue or tacky glue. We used elmer’s glue and tacky glue! You’ll also want an LED tealight. NEVER use an open flame with popsicle lanterns because they are wood and flammable!

For the lantern I went for a triangle design and made sure my LED tealight could fit inside. I failed to take pictures of my friend, Angie’s, lantern, but she did a square design! Really whatever design you want, I say go for it! Crafting is to be fun and carefree!

Back to the design, I started with a triangle and kept layering it in the same order until I had 6 high on each side.

Then I drank too much of my fun cocktail and didn’t take any more progress pics (whoops!) But I glued a large wood bead to each corner. Then I laid another layer of 3 popsicles and then another round of wood beads, then finished with another 3 layers of popsicles high.

Once I completed all of that, I cut and glued wax paper to the inside of the lantern. This allowed it to feel more like a lantern and let the flicker of the LED tealight more magical!

When the glue dried on the wax paper and wood I took a piece of craft twine and got it through a wood bead. The spot where the knot was, I made be the bottom and then I glued two popsicles around that knot so it, “locked in” the wood bead and twine loop! I added another popsicle to the back of those two, also.

I left the bottom open and plan to only have the lantern displayed sitting on something because I wanted easy access to my LED tealight.

The second project was a can planter! You’ll need cans (washed and rinsed!), popsicles, hot glue, dirt, and seeds. For our planters I found packets of Parsley at the dollar store so that’s what we planted.

I was able to save and wash a can that once held beans, cream of chicken and Beef ravioli. I LOVED getting to upcycle for this project!!

Once your hot glue gun is ready just out a dollop of hot glue near the top and bottom and place a popsicle vertically. Continue to do this all the way around! We found we were only able to glue one to three at a time because the glue would get too cool too fast! Once all the popsicles are glued, feel free to paint your popsicles, color with markers, tie with ribbons or twine – go crazy! We didn’t go crazy haha we just added a simple piece of twine.

My kitchen is “Cottage Chic” so a simple planter coordinates perfectly. But to ruin any illusion that everything is cohesive in my kitchen I have as many ceramic cat things as I’ve been able to find. Maybe that’s cottage chic, maybe I just want to be like any awesome grandma with kitschy stuff in her cottage kitchen?

Also I did these crafts about a month ago and my Parsley has sprouted up nicely! I only water it when the soil seems dry so like maybe 2 times a week and it sits in a windowsill that gets a LOT of afternoon sun. According to my girl Martha, herbs need a lot of sun.

Cocktail time! Or maybe these should be at the start of the post? We’re starting the week off with a sangria! I call this, Strawberry Peach Rosé Sangria! I know, it’s so original! Thanks, I pride myself on my creativity 😉

Below is the recipe, but it’s really simple. I kept it at a small quantity but it’d be easy to double, triple or quadruple! Basically I was able to create recipes around only needing a can of Rosé. You can also split a typical bottle of Rosé if you’re wanting to make two different kinds of Sangria or wine mixers.

Ha! Told you it was easy! I read that a good sangria will always have a liquor in it so you’ll see a theme this week, but again, if you’re looking for budget conscious, you’ll be happy to use similar ingredients and get different results!

I hope y’all enjoyed today’s adult summer camp craft! I loved being able to play with popsicle sticks and create things that I actually like and will keep in my house! Obvs kids can enjoy making these things as well and I think they’d make thoughtful gifts for birthdays and holidays!

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Share your creations with me on socials! It always brightens my day when y’all do! Check in tomorrow for another delicious cocktail and fun project!

XOXO
-Robin