Exploding Popsicle Sticks

If you have some bored teenagers this summer, you will want to check out this fun activity. We had a bunch of 9 to 13 year old kids at summer camp this year and they were completely engrossed in this activity for almost an hour. It takes patience to weave the sticks together. But the explosion at the end is well worth the effort! Our kids were racing to see who could build the longest chain.

The only supplies that you need are large size popsicle sticks. Then let the building and the fun begin.
This is also called Cobra Weaving because when the sticks start to explode, the chain reaction looks a little bit like a snake. Our campers even added a fun cobra's head to the end of their popsicle stick chain.

The weaving can be a little bit challenging in the beginning, but if you can stick with it for 10 to 15 minutes you will be able to master it. It really is easier to do with two people at first.

Here is a video of the exploding sticks in action!

We loved this tutorial:

Exploding Popsicle Sticks

There is also a video and instructions at Steve Spangler Science.

Popsicle Stick Chain Reaction


Popsicle Stick Bombs are another fun way to use your popsicle sticks. And they are even easier to build than a cobra weave. Check out this tutorial.

Popsicle Stick Bomb

Looking for more ways to use the big box of popsicle sticks? (We bought ours at Walmart for about $4.00.)

Here are some other fun ideas:

Homemade Popsicles

Popsicle Stick Frames

Popsicle Stick Vase

Popsicle Stick Puppets

Popsicle Stick House

Popsicle Sticks are such a versatile craft supply with almost unlimited uses. I remember as I kid we would eat our popsicles and then wash off the sticks and save them in an empty ice cream bucket so we could use them for projects later. I love that you can now buy clean, non-licked sticks just for fun!