Narwhal Craft Stick Project
Let’s take a moment to appreciate the narwhal, nature’s weird little plot twist. I mean, it’s basically a swimming potato with a giant tooth sticking out of its face…yes you read that right tooth. If that doesn’t scream “make me into a craft,” I don’t know what does.
This narwhal craft stick project is fun, easy, and weird in all the best ways. It’s the perfect addition to any Arctic animal unit—or just a quirky afternoon project that gives you an excuse to talk about tusks, whales, or how confusing it is that this animal actually exists.
And yes, your kids are probably going to ask if it’s a unicorn. Honestly? Just roll with it.
Jump to Supplies Steps More crafts
What You'll Need for This Narwhal Popsicle Stick Craft
- Craft sticks (popsicle sticks) Shop
- Gray acrylic paint Shop
- Turquoise acrylic paint Shop
- White acrylic paint Shop
- Pink acrylic paint Shop
- Googly eyes Shop
- Black permanent marker Shop
- Hot glue gun or craft glue Shop
- Pencil with an eraser (for dot painting) Shop
- Scissors Shop
- Paintbrush Shop
- Ruler Shop
Let’s Build a Narwhal!
Step 1: Gather Your Supplies
Before we dive in, make sure you’ve got all your supplies on hand. You’ll want a clean surface and something to protect it, things are about to get wonderfully messy.
Step 2: Build the Base
Line up five craft sticks vertically and glue two trimmed sticks horizontally across the back to hold them together like a little fence panel. Let that dry flat.
Step 3: Cut the Flippers and Tusk
Use scissors to cut two rounded flippers from craft sticks and one triangle-shaped piece for the narwhal’s iconic tusk.
Step 4: Paint the Tusk
Grab that gray paint and brush it onto the narwhal horn. Set it aside to dry while we work on the body.
Step 5: Paint the Body and Flippers
Use turquoise to paint the full popsicle stick panel and both flippers. Let dry.
Step 6: Paint the Belly
Mix a tiny bit of turquoise with white to make a lighter shade, then paint an oval belly right in the center of your narwhal’s body.
Step 7: Attach the Tusk
Flip the base over and glue the dried tusk to the center top so it peeks out from behind like a horn.
Step 8: Add Flippers, Eyes and Cheeks
Glue one fin to each side of the narwhal’s body, aiming for that cartoon flipper look.
Glue on two googly eyes and use a pencil eraser dipped in pink paint to add two sweet rosy cheeks just below them.
Step 9: Dot the Belly
Use the eraser end of a pencil to dot gray spots around the belly. This is where your narwhal gets its sparkle.
Step 10: Draw the Smile and Swirls
Draw a big happy smile with your black marker, then add some swirl lines to the horn to make it extra magical.
All done!
Your magical narwhal is ready to swim!
We'd love to see yours! Snap a photo and share it in the comments.
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