Popsicle stick nativity craft displayed on a pink background with layered text reading “Nativity Popsicle Craft Sticks.”

This nativity popsicle stick craft is one of those projects that feels meaningful without being complicated. It uses simple dollar store supplies, comes together in about 30 minutes, and creates a finished piece kids are genuinely proud to display.

It works well for home, classrooms, and church groups, especially when you want a hands-on activity that feels calm and intentional during the busy holiday season.

Jump to Supplies Steps Printable

Materials for This Nativity Popsicle Stick Craft

Before you start, gather your supplies and set up a clear workspace. This project goes more smoothly when everything is within reach, especially once the glue gun is involved.

Most of these supplies are easy to find at the dollar store, and colors can be adjusted based on what you already have.

Materials:

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Jumbo craft sticks Shop
Glue gun and glue sticks Shop
Wooden star Shop
Acrylic craft paint (brown, yellow, and a flesh tone of choice) Shop
Craft felt (white, green, blue, and yellow) Shop
Scissors Shop
Paintbrush Shop
Black marker Shop
Pencil Shop
Nativity patterns

Once everything is laid out, you’re ready to build the manger.

How to Make a Nativity Popsicle Stick Craft

This is one of those crafts where it helps to think in three chunks: build the manger, make the people, then glue it all together. Nothing fancy, just a bunch of small wins that stack into something really cute.

Step 1: Gather your supplies.

Set everything out on your work surface so you’re not hunting for the felt while holding a hot glue gun like it’s a tiny lava wand.

Step 2: Build the manger base.

Line up eight jumbo craft sticks side by side to form the manger background. Hot glue one jumbo craft stick across the bottom to hold them together.

Step 3: Make the roof and trim the manger shape.

Cross two jumbo craft sticks to form the roof. Place them at the top of the manger base and trace the roofline with a pencil. Use scissors to trim the sticks along the traced lines so the manger has a peaked top.

Step 4: Attach the roof.

Hot glue the two roof sticks onto the top of the manger base and set aside.

Step 5: Cut the craft stick pieces for Mary, Joseph, and Jesus.

Cut one jumbo craft stick to 2 inches for Jesus.

For Mary, cut two jumbo craft sticks to 2.5 inches and secure them together with a small craft stick piece on the back.

For Joseph, cut two jumbo craft sticks to 3 inches and secure them together with a small craft stick piece on the back.

Step 6: Paint the manger.

Basecoat the manger with brown acrylic paint. Let it dry, then add a second coat if needed.

Step 7: Paint the faces.

Paint the top half of Mary, Joseph, and Jesus with a flesh tone acrylic paint. Let dry and add a second coat if needed.

Step 8: Trace the felt patterns.

Print and cut out the nativity patterns. Trace Mary’s clothing onto blue felt, Joseph’s clothing onto green felt, and Jesus’ halo onto yellow felt.

Step 9: Cut the felt pieces.

Cut out all felt pieces, cutting slightly inside the traced lines for a clean fit. Cut four to five thin strips of white felt for wrapping Jesus.

Step 10: Wrap baby Jesus.

Wrap the white felt strips around the bottom half of Jesus and secure the ends with hot glue.

Step 11: Add the felt clothing and halo.

Hot glue the yellow felt halo to the back of Jesus’ head. Attach the felt robes and head coverings to Mary and Joseph using hot glue.

Step 12: Draw the faces.

Use a black marker to draw simple half-circle closed eyes on Mary, Joseph, and Jesus.

Step 13: Paint the star.

Basecoat the wooden star with yellow acrylic paint. Let it dry and add a second coat if needed.

Step 14: Assemble the nativity.

Hot glue Mary and Joseph side by side in the center of the manger. Glue Jesus in Mary’s arms. Attach the painted star to the top of the manger with hot glue.

Step 15: Display your finished nativity craft.

Let everything cool and fully set, then place it on a shelf, mantel, windowsill, or craft display area. It also makes a sweet classroom display piece for December.