Colorful waxed string formed into a figure with curly hair, a snail, a flower, and a tree. All are standing on a piece of white paper.

Sticky Stick Figures

Stick figures are a good place to start when drawing people. Imagine a circle for the head, a line for the body and two lines each for arms and legs. Many professional artists will sketch a quick stick figure in order to determine the right position or action they want their final figure to represent. By making a curved line instead of a straight one, a stick figure can go from standing to running. Or, what about shifting the whole drawing so that now it looks like it’s flying? A simple stick figure can communicate a lot with just a few little adjustments.

Both video instructions and written instructions below!

Make a Sticky Stick Figure Scene

Step 1: Make Your Sticky Actors

The colorful sticks in this kit are pieces of string coated with colored wax. They can be twisted into shapes and stuck to each other. Create a couple of stick figures that you can play with to create a scene of a story or movie. You may want to use some of the sticks to create props and costumes. Or you can find things around you that make great additions. Be careful not to stick them to clothes or other fabric, as the wax from the string may transfer to it. Scissors can be used to cut smaller pieces.

Step 2: Decorate the Space

Use the mini canvas board as your stage and create a scene by pressing the sticky stick figures to it. Decorate the scene with things you find or with the rest of your wax sticks. Small pieces of wax sticks can be cut to use as “glue” for items that aren’t staying put.

Step 3: Ready, Set, Play!

Move the characters you have created to make different scenes. If you have a phone with a camera, think about taking pictures. You may even want to make a mini stop motion movie by taking a picture as you move the characters very slowly. When you flip through the pictures later, they will look as though they are moving.

Things to Think About:

  1. If you had to choose a sticky stick figure that was most like you, which one would it be and why?

  2. What props might you give your character to help them through the scene?