Wooden Craft Stick Creativity

Classic Wooden 'Flyer Sled' Christmas Tree Ornament

Easy to Make and 'Gift' to Someone!

By Chris Dunmire

You don't have to eat that many ice cream novelties to get the wooden craft sticks you'll need to make this classic runner sled Christmas tree ornament. In fact, each snow sled needs only eight craft sticks and craft glue to put together.

Once the sled is assembled and dry, you can paint it whatever color you like (red and green are popular ) and tie on a piece of curling ribbon for the hanging handle. The finished sled will have "runners" just like the real thing!

Project Materials & Tools:

• 8 Wooden Craft Sticks (aka Popsicle ® Sticks)
• White or Clear Craft Glue
• Red or Green Acrylic Paint and Brush
• Curling Ribbon
• Gluing Surface

Sled Making Tips:

• Choose craft sticks that are straight and solid. Warped or cracked sticks (often found in bulk boxes) won't align flush and may affect the sled's integrity.

• Plastic cling wrap or aluminum foil makes a good surface to glue the sticks together. When the glue dries, the plastic wrap or foil will tear away easily without leaving bits behind (unlike paper).

Project Instructions:

You will be working from the "bottom view"
of the sled for the first three steps.

1. Lay down first three panels.

Place three craft sticks down on your surface (for the sled "panels"). Stagger the outer two sticks about 1/4" (or length of your choice) down from the middle stick as shown. Whatever stagger length you choose at this point will be repeated for the rest of the sticks on the sled.

Glue each of the outer sticks to the middle stick by applying a thin bead of glue to the each side of the middle stick and pushing the outer sticks into it. Hold firm for about 15 seconds.

2. Assemble runners.

Next, assemble and glue two more craft sticks (the sled "runners") to the outside panel sticks. The runners should be placed on their sides and glued flush with the panels.

3. Assemble end panels.

Assemble and glue the last two panels as shown. Allow the partial sled assembly to dry before moving onto step 4.

You will be working from the top view
of the sled for step 4.

4. Turn over and assemble top cross beam.

After the sled is dry from step 3, turn it over and glue the "cross beam" craft stick onto the top of the sled as shown.

Allow it to dry before moving onto step 5.

5. Decorate the sled.

When the glue on the sled is completely dry, you can decorate it as you wish. For this project, I painted my sleds with green and red acrylic paint. After the paint dried, I tied a piece of curling ribbon onto the cross beam for the sled "handle" and hanger.

You can be more creative with your sled decorating if you wish. Embellish it with found objects, glitter, polymer clay figurines, or anything else that sticks to it.

When your sled is finished, you can hang it on your Christmas tree. Or, if you'd like to use the ornament as a gift, you can thread one of my free printable snowflake gift card tags onto the curling ribbon handle and 'gift' it away! •

© 2005 Chris Dunmire. All rights reserved.

We hope you enjoyed this feature, which is copyright © Chris Dunmire and not available for reprint on your Web site, blog, or publication. Please respect the creator's copyright by not duplicating this material elsewhere.

About the Author
Chris Dunmire is engaged creatively in life as an author, artist, humorist, creativity coach, and workshop facilitator. She's authored dozens of creative projects and playbooks including the famous Dollar Bill Origami Money Plant project book to encourage creative exploration and expression in people of all ages. Learn more about Chris's fun printable e-playbooks at CreativeSlush.com.

12/04/05

More Christmas & Winter Projects & Free Printables:
Christmas Tree Coloring Page, Christmas Word Search Puzzle, Polymer Clay Penny Snowman, Christmas Glitter Ornament Gift Tags, Happy Snowman Gift Tag & Card, Runner Sled Craft Stick Ornament, Homemade Gift Wrapping Paper, More Winter Craft Resources »