How to make a Wooden Shack on an Aquarium with Popsicle Sticks

Materials
– Popsicle sticks (1 x 11.5 cm)
– Cardboard
– Acrylic paints
– Printed layout or sketch of the house
– Superglue
– Pruning shears
– Craft knife
🧰 Bonus: You can download the free printable PDF plan at the end of this guide to follow along easily.

1. Use pruning shears to cut off both rounded ends of the popsicle sticks

   

2. Lay the sticks in a parallel pattern to mimic real wooden flooring.

   

3. Secure them with glue

   

4. Repeat the steps to make walls

   You can place some pieces with different length unevenly to give the shack a rough, unstable and makeshift look.
   

5. Complete the remaining parts of the model

   

6. Make the pillar

   Using a clamp to press 4 popsicle sticks together, then apply glue to secure them firmly in place.
   

7. Make 5 more pillars for the shack to stand above the fish tank.

   

8. Painting the model with acrylic colors

   

9. Blend multiple layers of paints for rich tones and varied shades

   

10. Paint the model

    You can add more green shades to mimic the mossy, weathered look of the wooden shack
    *Tips: Acrylic paint can be removed easily from skin, but is very difficult on clothing. So it’s best to avoid spills or wear old clothes while painting.
    

11. Finish painting on every part of the house

    

12. Attach every parts of the house to the wooden floor

    

13. Make corrugated roofs

    To make corrugated roofs, peel off one outer layer of the cardboard sheet to reveal the roof-like pattern. Make sure to clean off any leftover paper pieces stuck on the corrugated surface.
    
    You can cut the cardboard into small rectangle pieces and color them with red and grey shade to mimic old, rusty roofs.
    

14. Build a simple railing and color it with mossy shade

    

15. Arrange the cardboard roofs to cover the shack

    

16. Use some pieces of cardboard to cover the railing

    

17. Add more details to the model

    

18. Prepare the aquarium

    Prepare a small aquarium. Line the bottom with layers of gravel, fine sand and nutrient-rich soil. You can add decorative rocks for a natural look.
    

19. Plant some aquatic plants into the aquarium

    

20. Leave the aquarium for 10 days

    After 10 days, moss has started to grow onto the rocks, giving them an aesthetic look
    There you can place the model over the tank. Remember to secure the shack’s pillars to the bottom.
    *Tips: You can add white LED lights to enhance the total appearance.