DIY in the Forest: DIY Popsicle Stick Beach Chair

When I think of summer, the first thing that comes to mind is the beach. You can bring a little bit of that beachy feeling home with these DIY popsicle stick beach chairs. This mini craft is fun, creative, and surprisingly versatile—perfect for summer parties, fairy gardens, or seasonal décor.

These miniature beach chairs look adorable on a beach-themed cake (try placing them on “sand” made from crushed vanilla cookies), and they’re just as charming tucked into a fairy garden or miniature display. You can paint them any color to match your theme—classic stripes, coastal blues, bright summer hues, or even neutrals for a modern look.

Keep reading to learn how to make mini beach chairs with popsicle sticks, step by step.

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Mini DIY popsicle stick beach chair painted for summer décor

Materials Needed for Mini Popsicle Stick Beach Chairs

You’ll need just a few basic craft supplies to make these miniature chairs:

Popsicle sticks (I used thin sticks, not wide craft sticks — if you use wider craft sticks, you'll need to adjust the lengths)
Glue

Glue tip: You can use many types of glue for this project, but hot glue or super glue is the best glue for popsicle stick crafts because it dries quickly and creates a strong bond. If you’re crafting with kids, white glue works too—just allow extra drying time.

X-Acto knife or craft knife
Ruler
Paint (acrylic paint works best)
Paintbrush

Step 1: Cut the Popsicle Sticks to Length and Paint

Using the measurements shown in the reference photo below, cut your popsicle sticks to the following lengths:

Two 2½-inch sticks
Two 2¾-inch sticks
Three 2-inch sticks with the rounded end trimmed
Two 2⅛-inch sticks with notches
Two 2⅛-inch straight sticks
Three 1½-inch sticks with the rounded end trimmed
One 1¼-inch stick

The easiest way to cut popsicle sticks is to score them with an X-Acto knife, then snap them cleanly with your fingers.

Cutting popsicle sticks for a mini beach chair craft

Once all pieces are cut, paint them in your chosen color. Depending on the paint, you may need two coats for full coverage.

Assembling a popsicle stick beach chair step by step

Step 2: Assemble the Popsicle Stick Chair Pieces

Chair Back: Lay the two 2¾-inch sticks next to each other, leaving a small gap between them. Place a 2½-inch stick on each side. Glue a 1½-inch stick horizontally across the middle to hold the pieces together.

Chair Seat: Lay three 2-inch sticks side by side, leaving a slight gap between each. Glue the 1¼-inch stick across the center to secure them.

Chair Arms: Take one 2⅛-inch stick with a notch and add a small dot of glue inside the notch. Attach the end of a straight 2⅛-inch stick into the notch and hold until secure. Glue a 1½-inch stick along the flat underside of the arm. Repeat to create the second arm.