DIY Gifts: Make a popsicle picture frame, memory game, and herb planter

If you need a gift for a friend or family member, why not make one instead of buying it? These three cool gift ideas are plastic-free and turn old stuff into something amazing! You’ll make someone smile and help protect the Earth. How awesome is that?

Popsicle Picture Frame: What photo will you put in your frame?

You’ll need:

• 4 used popsicle sticks
• Clear glue
• Fun things to decorate with (like paint, string, ribbon, magazine pictures, or little buttons)
• Scissors (ask an adult to help!)
• An old cereal box
• Your favourite photo

Let’s do it!

1. Lay out 8 lolly sticks in a square shape (2 on each side). Glue the corners to stick them together.
2. Decorate your frame however you like – go wild with colours and cool things!
3. Print or choose your favourite photo. Ask an adult to help cut it so it fits nicely in your frame.
4. Stick your photo onto a piece of cardboard (cut from a cereal box).
5. Turn the frame over and glue the cardboard/photo to the back. Done!

Fun Memory Game

Make your own memory game with cute pictures!

You’ll need:

• 2 old cereal boxes
• Glue
• Scissors (with an adult’s help)
• Some old magazines with pictures (like animals, food, or toys)

Let’s play!

1. Cut out 20 small cardboard squares (about the size of a big coin).
2. Find 10 pairs of pictures in your magazines—like 2 lions, 2 cakes, or 2 flowers.
3. Cut them out and glue them onto your cardboard squares.
4. Mix them up and place them face down.
5. Take turns flipping two over. If they match, you keep them. The player with the most pairs wins!

Cute Herb Planter

Grow a plant and give it as a gift!

You’ll need:

• A small pot (terracotta is great!)
• Soil
• Herb seeds (like mint or basil) or a small herb plant
• Decorations (paint, ribbon, stickers, pebbles, little toys)
• Clear glue

Let’s plant!

1. Ask an adult to help you get the pot, soil, and seeds or a plant.
2. Decorate your pot with fun things—paint it, wrap ribbon around it, or glue on tiny toys!
3. Add the soil to the pot. – If you have seeds: sprinkle a few on top, then cover them with a little more soil. – If you have a plant: dig a small hole, put the plant in, and press the soil around it.
4. Water your plant and place it in the sun. Don’t forget to water it if the soil feels dry.

tracy-lynn.ruiters@inl.co.za

Weekend Argus