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How to Build a Skyscraper Out of Popsicle Sticks

This fun and easy craft project produces impressive results, and makes an excellent accompaniment to social studies lessons about urban areas, or even basic lessons about architecture. Younger children will need someone to supervise to ensure proper assembly, and possibly to help with some of the construction aspects.

Things You'll Need

  • Styrofoam boards, 2 inches thick
  • Utility knife
  • Permanent marker
  • Ruler
  • Popsicle sticks (at least 100)
  • Glue (optional)
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Instructions

    • 1

      Cut a piece of 2-inch thick square Styrofoam, the sides of which are 6 inches long. Use a utility knife for a clean edged cut.

    • 2

      Draw a 5-inch square in the center of the foam.

    • 3

      Line the sides of the square you just drew with rows of Popsicle sticks by sticking the ends of the Popsicle sticks 1 inch deep into the foam. The Popsicle sticks should be touching side by side, forming a wall of sticks on each side of the square. This is the first level of the sky scraper.

    • 4

      Cut a second square of Styrofoam with sides 5 1/2 inches long.

    • 5

      Draw a square in the center of the foam, the sides of which are 3 1/2 inches wide.

    • 6

      Line the sides of the square you just drew with rows of Popsicle sticks by sticking the ends of the Popsicle sticks 1 inch deep into the foam. The Popsicle sticks should be touching side by side, forming a wall of sticks on each side of the square. This is the second level of the skyscraper.

    • 7

      Cut a foam square 4 inches wide. Stick a single Popsicle in the center of the foam. This is the cap on the building, with a Popsicle antennae in the center.

    • 8

      Place the cap on top of the second level of the skyscraper. Press the cap into the walls of Popsicle sticks on the second level, so that the cap is secure.

    • 9

      Place the second level of the skyscraper on top of the first level of the skyscraper. Press the foam base of the second level into the wall of Popsicle sticks on the first level, so that the second level is secure.

Sculpture

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