DIY Popsicle Stick House with a Secret Opening Roof – Full Interior Reveal!

Welcome to FOBIRD!
In today’s DIY project, we’re building a popsicle stick house — but not just any house. This time, we’re adding a creative twist: a secret opening roof that reveals the full interior.
In this step-by-step guide, you’ll learn how to craft a detailed miniature stick house using simple materials. From the walls and windows to tiny furniture and finishing touches, we’ll walk you through every part — and yes, you’ll even learn how to make the roof lift up to showcase the entire inside layout.
Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned model-making fan, this is a fun, hands-on project you’ll love to build and proudly display.
Let’s get started!

🧰 Bonus: You can download the free printable PDF plan at the end of this guide to follow along easily.

Materials You’ll Need:
– Popsicle sticks (1 x 11.5 cm)
– White wooden sticks with a diameter of 2.5mm
– Small wooden sticks with a diameter of 1.6mm
– Transparent mica sheets (for windows)
– White formica sheets (for floors, roofs and walls)
– Printed layout or sketch of the house
– Superglue
– White glue
– Miniature bushes
– Decorative grass or greensward
– Pruning shears (to cut sticks)
– Sandpaper for smoothing out popsicle sticks (optional)

Instruction to make a Popsicle Stick House with a Secret Roof

1. Draw a Detailed Sketch

   Create a blueprint of your house. You can draw it by hand or use design software like AutoCAD for precise measurements.
   
   

2. Build the Base Panel #1

   Prepare a Formica sheet (24 x 24 cm), then spread an even layer of white glue across the entire surface.
   (Tip: Be careful with glue to avoid sticking your fingers!)
   
   

3. Build the Base Panel #2

   Place the popsicle sticks (1 x 4 cm) next to each other in a staggered pattern, like real wood floors. Use a tiny drop of glue where each stick connects.
   
   

4. Build the Base Panel #3

   And that’s it! You’ve created a realistic wooden floor all on your own!
   
   

5. Building the Walls

   Repeat steps 2 and 3, this time using another Formica sheet as the base. Attach the sticks according to your sketch or floor plan, making sure to follow the layout carefully.
   
   For the windows, you can use a transparent mica sheet — just cut it to size and glue it in place from the inside. This will make your model look like it has real glass windows, which adds a nice touch of realism.
   
   

6. Repeat the process to build the other parts of the house

   

7. Making the Chimney

   Grab some sticks and start building the chimney, a square cylinder with a 4 x 3 cm width and a height of 11 cm. Use superglue to join the sticks at the corners, forming a rectangular outline. Make sure each layer is aligned properly to keep the structure straight.
   
   Next, let’s add two more windows on each side of the chimney. Make sure they’re evenly spaced and aligned with the existing design. For the window panes, use pieces of transparent mica sheet, trimmed to fit each opening. Glue them in place from the inside, just like before, to give a clean, glass-like finish.
   
   

8. Connecting these parts above to build the living room

   

9. Building the Walls

   Cut and prepare wooden panels to form the exterior walls of the house. Ensure that each panel fits according to your house dimensions. While assembling the front wall, remember leaving a designated space for the door
   
   

10. Attaching them together
    

    

11. Building the Second Floor #1

    Create a smaller flooring section measuring 10 x 12 cm. Use wooden sticks arranged in the same alternating pattern as the first floor from Step 4.
    
    This panel will serve as the second floor, specifically designated for the bedroom area. Ensure all sticks are securely glued and edges are aligned to maintain stability. Optionally, you can glue extra sticks around the edge to make the floor raised and polished.
    
    

12. Building the Second Floor #2

    Once the second floor panel (10 x 12 cm) is complete, attach it securely on the half of the main structure, aligning it carefully with the existing walls. Apply glue evenly along the contact edges to ensure a stable bond.
    
    Next, attach an additional wall panel with a window to form the upper section of the model. Ensure the wall aligns properly with the floor panel and adjacent walls. Press firmly and allow adequate drying time to maintain structural integrity.
    
    

13. Attach the above section to the whole structure

    

14. Building the Staircase #1

    Prepare a popsicle stick with both ends carved into a triangular shape, making sure both ends are smoothen by sandpaper. This will help it fit securely into angled joints
    
    

15. Building the Staircase #2

    Attach several wooden pieces, each measuring 1 x 4 cm, to represent the staircase. Position them in a stepped arrangement, spacing them evenly to resemble real stair steps.
    
    Use a small amount of glue on each piece to secure them in place. Ensure the alignment is consistent to maintain a realistic and clean appearance.
    
    

16. Building the Staircase #3

    

17. Once the stair steps are in place, attach a floor panel above the staircase to represent the upper landing or second floor extension.
    
    

18. Attaching the Staircase to the Model

    Carefully position the completed staircase against the main structure, aligning it with the floor opening or landing area. Apply a small amount of glue along the bottom and back edges of the staircase.
    
    (Press it gently but firmly into place, ensuring it is straight, flush with the wall, and properly aligned with the second-floor panel).
    
    

19. Placing the Model on the Base Panel

    Prepare the wooden floor panel created earlier to serve as the base. Carefully position the house model on top of this panel, aligning it toward one side to leave space for adding a garden and other decorative elements.
    
    (Ensure the model is secured firmly in place using glue or adhesive, while keeping the surrounding area open for landscaping).
    
    

20. Adding more details to the model’s exterior appearance

    

21. Building the Balcony

    You can add more features to your model, such as a tiny balcony. To create the balcony, glue together two popsicle sticks, each measuring 4 cm by 1 cm, placing them side by side.
    
    Slightly raise the balcony platform by covering the side edges with the same type of sticks. This will definitely give the balcony a lifted appearance.
    
    

22. Adding the Railing

    Once the platform is in place and secure, add the railing using small vertical wooden sticks (2.5mm)
    
    

23. Decorating the Model with Tiny Furniture Pieces

    Enhance the realism of your model by incorporating miniature furniture pieces such as sofas, tables, and beds. Use scaled measurements to match the proportions of your house layout.
    
    (Remember to secure these furniture with glue to keep them all in place)
    
    

24. Building the Roof #1

    Trim one end of each popsicle stick to create a clean, straight edge. Then, lay the sticks side by side in parallel, forming a flat surface.
    
    Once the panel is complete, cut out a small section to leave space for the chimney column. Make sure the cut aligns with the position of the chimney in your layout, so everything fits together neatly.
    
    

25. Building the Roof #2

    Repeat the same process to create another roof panel with the same pattern. Once completed, you can use smaller wooden strips to cover any visible cuts or joints. This will help create a cleaner look and add a more finished, realistic appearance to the roof.
    
    

26. Placing the Roof on top of the House model

    

27. Decorating your Model

    By adding decorative elements such as miniature trees and bushes, you can elevate your house model, making it more detailed and lifelike.
    
    Place them strategically around the house, along pathways, near windows, or in the garden area to bring your model to life and add a natural, finished touch.
    
    

28. Adding some Final Touches to the Exterior of your Model

    

29. And there you have it — your model is complete! Feel free to display it on your desk, in a display case, or even use it as a centerpiece for a school or art project.

    

30. When you remove the roof, you can see the entire interior — including all the rooms and furniture you’ve added. It’s a great way to showcase the layout and design details inside the house.