Do your kids love fireworks? Make these popsicle stick firecrackers for a fun 4th of July craft for kids. You can create these in about 30 minutes and use them for decorations.

There are several types of fireworks and firecrackers used for holiday celebrations. Extend this craft project by learning about Independence Day, Diwali, and Chinese New Year.

Looking for more fireworks crafts? Check out our list of craft ideas for kids.

White woman's hand holding up a popsicle stick firecracker craft project painted like the American flag. Two more completed projects with different red, white, and blue designs are in the background.

Letting the kids transform craft sticks into pretend fireworks is a safe alternative to playing with snaps or sparklers. So grab your supplies and create your own popsicle stick firecrackers!

More Fourth of July Crafts for Kids

Firecracker Popsicle Stick Craft Supplies

I love simple crafts that use stuff I generally have in my craft stash. If you don’t have everything on hand already, you can easily find it in your favorite craft store or browse my influencer storefront (we earn a commission on qualifying purchases) Amazon craft shelf.

When making your popsicle stick firecrackers, if you don’t have craft foam, you could use construction paper or colored cardstock instead.

To embellish the firecrackers, you can use all sorts of things. Glitter glue, wooden stars, and even stickers. It’s a great opportunity for kids to get creative in their designs.

You can use either a glue gun or tacky craft glue for this project. Liquid glue will take longer to dry. We like using a Low Temp Glue Gun when making decorations because they hold up better.

Three completed firecracker crafts made with jumbo craft sticks. Each one is painted in a different design using red, white, and blue paints. One is striped, another has polka dots, and another is flag inspired.

Here is the full list of materials you’ll need:

Jumbo Craft Sticks
Red, White, and Blue Craft Paints
Yellow and Orange Craft Foam
Silver Tinsel Chenille Stems
Silver Glitter Glue
Wooden Stars or Stickers
Glue Gun
Paintbrush
Round Sponge Applicator or Pom Pom
Scissors
Pencil

How to Make Popsicle Stick Firecrackers

You will need about 4 jumbo popsicle sticks per firecracker. It works well to make a few at one time. We suggest the jumbo sized ones because they are wider. However, you could use regular size ones if that is what you have on hand, just increase the number to create a good sized firecracker.

Three groups of jumbo craft sticks in sets of three. Two have pieces of another stick cut and glued across the back with a glue gun.

Start by lining up three jumbo craft sticks next to each other. Cut another stick with scissors to glue across the back. This will keep the three for the base together. You can also glue them onto a piece of cardstock instead.

Three sets of jumbo popsicle sticks. One painted all blue, one painted red and white vertical stripes with top section all blue. Another one is completely white.

Paint the craft sticks using red, white, and blue paints. Let the kids get creative or use our photos as inspiration. For example, you can paint each craft stick a different color or paint different sections of the base.

Have fun with creating stripes across or diagonally. To make large dots, dip a round sponge applicator or a pom pom into paint then gently press it against the painted popsicle sticks.

Three different craft stick firecracker bases. Left one is blue with white and red dots. Middle one is decorated like the American flag. Right one has diagonal red, white, and blue stripes. The white is accented with silver glitter glue.

For embellishments, use buttons, glitter glue, wooden stars, craft foam, or stickers. If using wooden shapes, paint them white then cover with a thin layer of glitter glue. Secure everything in place using glue.

Cut a silver chenille stem (aka pipe cleaner) into sections that measure about 4 inches long. Bend it in half to create the pretend fuse of the firecracker.

Candle flame shapes being cut out of yellow and orange craft foam.

Draw a large teardrop shape and a smaller teardrop shape to create the flame. You can draw them on cardstock first to use as a template. Then trace and cut out the large flame shape from orange craft foam. Use yellow craft foam for the smaller flame shape.

Three different firecracker crafts. Left and middle ones are completely assembled. Right one shows how to glue the craft foam flame pieces to the back and front of the chenille stem fuse.

Lay the large orange flame piece down and glue the bent silver chenille stem to it near the bottom. Glue the yellow flame piece on top of that. The chenille stem should be sandwiched between the craft foam flame pieces.

Finally, attach the “fuse” with the “flame” onto the back of the craft sticks near the top (on the unpainted side).

Three completely finished and assembled popsicle stick firecrackers lined up next to each other leaning against the wall. They are made with craft sticks, chenille stems, craft foam, and paint.

Make several and use twine to join them together for a banner. I like that these also look like patriotic candles.

4th of July Printables for Kids

Encourage your child’s enthusiasm for learning by providing more themed learning opportunities. You can have a week of different patriotic crafts and activities for your kid to do independently or as a family.

Here are a few printables you can use to engage your children:

Another way to extend this project is by discussing how and why fireworks are part of Independence Day and other holiday celebrations around the world. You can also discuss the history of them, how they work, and more by putting together a fireworks unit study.

More Popsicle Stick Crafts for Kids

Popsicle Stick Firecrackers Craft

Yield: 1

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Active Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Difficulty: Easy

Estimated Cost: $5 or less

Make these popsicle stick firecrackers for a fun fireworks craft for kids!

Materials

Jumbo Craft Sticks
Red, White, and Blue Craft Paints
Yellow and Orange Craft Foam
Silver Tinsel Chenille Stems
Silver Glitter Glue
Wooden Stars

Tools

Glue Gun
Paintbrush
Round Sponge Applicator or Pom Pom
Scissors
Pencil

Instructions

Line up three jumbo craft sticks next to each other. Cut another stick with scissors and glue it across the back to secure the base together. Do this for each one you want to make.
Next paint the front and sides of the craft sticks using red, white, and blue paint. Create whatever design you would like: stripes, diagonal lines, dots, etc.
Add embellishments such as wooden stars that have been painted white with a thin layer of glitter glue applied. Glue embellishments in place. (See photos in post for inspiration)
Cut off a 4 inch long piece of silver chenille stem then bend it in half to create a pretend fuse for the firecracker.
Create the flames by cutting out a large teardrop shape from orange craft foam and a smaller teardrop shape from yellow craft foam.
Glue the flame pieces together with the chenille stem placed in between them.
Attach the “fuse” with the craft foam “flame” to the back of the painted craft sticks at the top.