Today I am sharing a fun DIY toy soldier Christmas decoration which I made as part of the Ryobi Glue Gun challenge.
As you may know, we love to make crafts, decorations and create new things and Ryboi challenged Sylvia and me to create our very own Christmas decoration using the Ryobi 18V ONE+ Cordless Glue Gun.
We chose to make some toy soldier decorations which I totally adore. They turned out great and now I'm sharing how we made this super cute Christmas decoration. They were simple and easy to create. Enjoy!
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💖 Why You'll Love This Craft
- Timeless Tradition: This classic decoration brings a touch of nostalgia and a festive feel to your holiday decor.
- Durable Keepsake: Once made, this charming soldier will last for many holiday seasons, becoming a treasured part of your decor.
- Great for All Ages: Easy enough for kids to get involved, yet detailed enough for adults to enjoy, making it a great family craft!
🎨 Supplies Needed
- Ryobi 18V One+ Cordless Glue Gun
- Popsicle sticks
- Posca paint pens
- Buttons
- Googly eyes
- Glue sticks
- Pencil
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🖌️ How to Make This Fun DIY Christmas Decoration
- Step 1: I drew the outline of my toy soldiers onto the four popsicle or lollipop sticks using a pencil. This was a guide so I knew what colour to paint each area of the popsicle stick.
- Step 2: Next I used Posca paint pens to paint the different areas of the toy soldier. You can use paint pens or everyday acrylics. I find paint pens easier and I had some to hand.
- Step 3: Once the wooden popsicle sticks were dry, I glued the buttons onto the Soldiers jackets.
- Step 4: I then drew an outline using the black and silver Posca pens, adding details to the Soldiers body. Then I glued googly eyes to the face using the Ryobi Glue gun.
- Step 5: The final step was to glue ribbon to the back of the popsicle sticks to create a hanging loop for my decorations.
- Step 6: Once the toy soldier Christmas decorations were completed I was able to hang them on our Christmas Tree. I think they look great! Do you! I was gifted the Ryobi Glue Gun to create this Christmas decoration
💡 Pro Tip: Add small embellishments, like miniature drums or trumpets, to enhance the soldier's character and give your decoration a festive touch.
🧑🎨 Expert Tips
- Uniform Precision: Use a ruler or stencil to ensure uniformity in the soldier's attire, maintaining consistent proportions for buttons, belts, and other decorative elements.
- Facial Features: Opt for small, evenly spaced features to convey a disciplined, toy-like appearance. Consider using fine-tipped markers for precise detailing.
- Hat Construction: Craft a tall, cylindrical hat using black cardstock or felt, adding a gold trim or emblem to signify rank and add visual interest.
- Color Consistency: Stick to a traditional color palette of red, black, and gold to evoke the classic toy soldier aesthetic, ensuring all elements complement each other.
- Attachment Method: Secure all components with a strong adhesive, such as a hot glue gun, to ensure durability and longevity of the ornament.
- Hanging Mechanism: Attach a loop of ribbon or string at the back of the soldier's hat, allowing for easy hanging on the Christmas tree or other display areas.
💭 FAQs
Making toy soldiers helps children learn about historical military figures, reflecting the traditions of 18th-century European armies.
Toy soldiers undeniably symbolize protection and festivity, drawing from rich folklore and holiday traditions across diverse cultures.
Creating these decorations sparks conversations about their significance in holiday traditions and how they have changed over time.
Engaging in this craft allows families to share stories and traditions, fostering a deeper understanding of their cultural backgrounds.
DIY Toy Soldier Christmas Decoration
Materials
- Ryobi 18V One+ Cordless Glue Gun
- Popsicle sticks
- Posca paint pens
- Buttons
- Googly eyes
- Glue sticks
- Pencil
Instructions
- I drew the outline of my toy soldiers onto the four popsicle or lollipop sticks using a pencil. This was a guide so I knew what colour to paint each area of the popsicle stick.
- Next, I used Posca paint pens to paint the different areas of the toy soldier. You can use paint pens or everyday acrylics. I find paint pens easier and I had some to hand.
- Once the wooden popsicle sticks were dry, I glued the buttons onto the Soldier's jackets.
- I then drew an outline using the black and silver Posca pens, adding details to the Soldiers body. Then I glued googly eyes to the face using the Ryobi Glue gun.
- The final step was to glue a ribbon to the back of the popsicle sticks to create a hanging loop for my decorations.
- Once the toy soldier Christmas decorations were completed I was able to hang them on our Christmas Tree. I think they look great! Do you!
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