Watermelon Popsicle Stick Craft

Want a simple and sweet summer craft for kids? Celebrate the season with this cheerful Watermelon Popsicle Stick Craft! Grab a few basic supplies—like popsicle sticks, paint, and buttons—and let kids create their own slice of watermelon. They can hang it on the fridge, decorate a summer bulletin board, or gift it to someone special.

Does your child love someone “berry” much? They may enjoy making our Popsicle Stick Strawberry Craft!

Popsicle Stick Watermelon Craft

Kids build fine motor skills as they paint, glue, and cut during this easy craft—making it a great activity for preschoolers, kindergarteners, or early elementary students. They can also turn it into a charming keepsake for parents or grandparents by adding a name and date on the back. Whether you’re crafting at home, in the classroom, or at summer camp, you’ll enjoy bright, creative time together with this fun summer project.

Craft Supplies Needed

Before you start this craft, make sure you have all the right supplies.

• Popsicle Stick Watermelon Craft Printable
• White cardstock
• Scissors
• White school glue
• Wide popsicle sticks (11)
• Hot glue
• Pink, green, and light green acrylic paint
• Paper plate (for the paint)
• Paintbrush
• Wallet-sized photograph
• Small black buttons (8)
• Magnet (optional)

Craft Stick Watermelon Directions

Once you’ve gathered your supplies, follow the simple steps below to make the craft.

STEP 1: Print the template. Begin by downloading the free craft template using the link in the supplies list. Print it on white cardstock for best results.

STEP 2: Paint the popsicle sticks. Next, paint 6 wide popsicle sticks pink. Then, paint 3 more wide popsicle sticks green and add watermelon stripes to mimic the rind.

STEP 3: Glue the base together. Once the paint dries, line up 8 wide popsicle sticks in a row with the green rinds on the outside edges. Use hot glue to attach 2 additional sticks horizontally across the back to hold everything in place (see photo below).

STEP 4: Add the final rind. Flip the craft over and glue the last green rind stick along the bottom edge.

STEP 5: Attach the photo and text. Now, glue the printed photo and text from the template onto the popsicle stick base, following the placement shown below. If you want to make a seedless watermelon, end the craft here!

STEP 6: Add the seeds. Glue 8 black buttons around the pink area of the watermelon to look like seeds. Your popsicle stick watermelon is ready to display, gift, or hang up for summer fun! If desired, turn it into a refrigerator magnet!

Watermelon Popsicle Stick Craft Variation

Prefer a more classic version? Skip the photo keepsake and try a traditional triangle-shaped craft stick watermelon instead—or check out the fun variation below! To make it, you’ll use the same supplies listed above, plus the following:

• 40 mm wiggly eyes (2)
• Black pipe cleaners (1)

Take it Further

Extend the learning and fun with these hands-on activities that connect the craft to reading, sensory exploration, math, and more.

• Start with a story: Pair this craft with a watermelon-themed picture book such as The Watermelon Seed by Greg Pizzoli. Reading before or after the craft sets the stage for meaningful connections.
• Add a sensory twist: Host a watermelon taste test! Try red, yellow, and seedless varieties. Encourage kids to describe the texture, color, and flavor of each one using descriptive words.
• Incorporate math skills: Cut out paper watermelon seeds and use them for counting, sorting, or simple addition and subtraction problems. You can also create number sentences using a ten frame.
• Encourage creative writing: Ask older children to write a summer-themed story, a silly watermelon poem, or even a recipe for a make-believe watermelon treat.
• Try a science experiment: Explore how seeds grow by sprouting watermelon seeds on a damp paper towel. Track the growth over several days and discuss what plants need to thrive.
• Make it musical: Sing fun watermelon-themed songs like “Down by the Bay” or create your own silly summer song and clap or drum along with popsicle sticks.
• Practice scissor skills: Provide kids with extra red, green, and black paper and encourage them to cut out their own watermelon slices or seeds for a collage.
• Create a summer display: Add your Watermelon Popsicle Stick Craft to a larger summer-themed bulletin board with sun, lemonade, and other seasonal crafts.
• Explore patterns and colors: Offer paint or paper in different watermelon shades and invite kids to create abstract watermelon art using patterns, stripes, or dots.
• Build vocabulary: Introduce and define words like rind, pulp, seed, juicy, and harvest. Create a mini word wall to go along with the craft.

More Summer Crafts for Kids

We have a lot of fun summer crafts for kids! You may also enjoy: 

• Watermelon Suncatcher Craft
• CD and Button Turtle Craft
• Starfish Texture Art
• Tissue Paper Snail Craft
• Coffee Filter Butterfly Craft

Save This Craft

Save this craft on Pinterest using the image below!