Crab Popsicle Stick Craft for Kids

This crab popsicle stick craft is a perfect beach or ocean activity for kids! With a few craft sticks, some bright red paint, and red cardstock for the claws and legs, your little ones will create an adorable little crab that is perfect for a summer or ocean theme.

Graphic with text “crab popsicle stick craft” over a background image of the finished craft

Materials for This Crab Popsicle Stick Craft

Before you start, gather your supplies. Most of these basic craft supplies are probably already in your stash, making this a great easy ocean craft for kids.

Supplies

Regular craft sticks (5)
Acrylic craft paint – red
Paintbrush
Red cardstock
Googly eyes
Scissors
Glue gun and glue sticks
Black marker
Pencil

Once everything is ready, let's build this little crab!

How to Make a Crab Popsicle Stick Craft

This crab popsicle stick craft comes together with painting, cutting, and gluing. Follow the steps below to make your adorable ocean craft.

Step 1: Gather Your Supplies

Gather all the supplies for this crab popsicle stick craft. Having everything laid out ahead of time makes the process easy and fun.

Craft supplies including red paper, popsicle sticks, scissors, paint, brush, marker, and glue stick on a white background

Step 2: Paint the Craft Sticks

Paint all 5 craft sticks red. Set aside to dry and apply a second coat if necessary.

Paintbrush and red paint next to three painted red popsicle sticks

Step 3: Assemble the Crab Body

Once dry, lay 3 painted sticks side by side and glue them together to form the crab's body.

Three red popsicle sticks arranged in a triangle shape on a white background

Step 4: Trace and Cut the Claws and Legs

Trace and cut 2 large claw shapes and 4 small leg shapes from red cardstock with scissors.

Red paper cutouts shaped like claws and legs beside colored paper sheets

Step 5: Attach the Claws

Glue the 2 large claws to the top corners of the crab body, one on each side.

Triangle made from red popsicle sticks with two claw shapes attached on each side

Step 6: Attach the Legs

Glue 2 small legs along each side of the crab's body.

Red popsicle stick triangle with attached claws and additional leg shapes added on both sides

Step 7: Add the Eyes

Attach white circles or googly eyes to the bottom center of the crab's body.

Red popsicle stick triangle with paper claws, legs, and two white circles placed at the bottom

Step 8: Add the Final Details

Use a black marker to draw a wide smile, eyes (if you didn't use googly eyes), and/or any additional details you like.

Red popsicle stick triangle craft with drawn eyes attached at the bottom

Your adorable crab popsicle stick craft is ready to head to the beach!

Completed red popsicle stick craft with paper claws and legs placed above blue paper shapes

Grab the Crab Popsicle Stick Craftivity

Want to make this ocean craft even easier? The Crab Popsicle Stick Craftivity includes printable templates and step-by-step instructions — perfect for beach-themed parties, ocean unit studies, or a fun summer craft afternoon.

More Ocean and Beach Crafts Your Kids Will Love

If your kiddos had fun making this crab popsicle stick craft, don't stop the fun here! Below you will find some more of our favorite ocean and beach crafts we have shared on the site.

Please Share This Crab Popsicle Stick Craft

Did your kids love making this crab popsicle stick craft? We'd love to see your little crabs! Share on social media and tag us, and pin this project to your ocean crafts board on Pinterest!