How to make exploding popsicle sticks in six easy steps

Exploding popsicle sticks are way fun! Your kids will love it. But, first, you gotta figure out how to do it. As a cub scout leader, making a chain of exploding popsicle sticks is one of the requirements. I admittedly wasn’t very excited about it, until I realized it wasn’t as hard as I thought.

Watch the popsicle sticks in action

Before you make your own popsicle stick chain reaction, check out this video of what ours looked like. My boys loved it!

Get started in six steps

All you will need to get started is a package of jumbo colored wood craft sticks. Then, follow the six easy steps outlined below. Here’s a FREE PRINTABLE – Exploding Popsicle Sticks instructions if you want to print them out.

Popsicle stick chain reacion — Popsicle stick chain reaction

After you complete step six, just keep placing the popsicle sticks under and over as you make the chain. The key is to ALWAYS apply pressure on the most recent stick that you place on the chain otherwise it will explode. Here’s a great video that shows these steps as well.

exploding popsicle sticks, cub scouts — *Several boys in my cub scout troop watching our exploding popsicle sticks in action.*

Tips and tricks

Only use JUMBO craft sticks. The regular-sized popsicle sticks are aren’t as flexible.
Colored popsicle sticks make it easier to follow the steps, but you can use plain popsicle sticks if you’re in a pinch.
Continually adjust the popsicle sticks as you go so they are aligned correctly.
Try setting up your exploding popsicle sticks on carpet. It makes it easier to place the sticks.
If you need to step away from your popsicle stick chain, use another popsicle stick to hold down the end sticks where you were applying pressure. Then, just pull that stick out when you’re ready and watch it explode.