If you have ever done crafts with popsicle sticks before, you will know that you can’t just use any glue you find lying around. Some glues are very versatile, but that does not mean these glues are the best to use.
Popsicle sticks are made from wood, and the glue you need on wood needs to be sturdy and long-lasting. Wood glue can take some time to set, so it is a good idea to have a clamp or something ready to hold the popsicle sticks together while the glue dries.
Not using the right glue will mean your craft project will not stay intact for very long, and it will be a bit of a waste of your time.
Which is the best glue to use for popsicle sticks? The best glue to use for popsicle sticks are super glue, waterproof PVA glue, rubber cement, or even epoxy. All work well on popsicle sticks, but their different drying times and other properties should be taken into consideration when deciding which would be best for your project.
You will need to know the requirements of your project first before you decide which glue to use.
Choosing the Right Glue for Popsicle Sticks
To help you better decide which glues would be best for sticking together popsicle sticks, here is a little more information on each:
Super glue – Super glue is a great option for craft projects as it is a strong adhesive and it has a quick curing time. One drop of superglue is enough to hold two popsicle sticks together, so you don’t need to go through too much glue to complete a project.
Waterproof PVA glue – PVA glue is mainly used as wood glue, and as they are water-resistant, they are able to sustain soaking and drying without the glue failing or the pieces falling apart.
Rubber Cement – Rubber cement is commonly used for paper-collage type applications, but it does work well when sticking wood together. Rubber cement does not damage glued items when you pull them apart, with reasonable care.
Epoxy – Epoxy can be used to glue popsicle sticks together, but it is important to remember that it takes a long time to set. However, if you are prepared to wait the time it takes for the epoxy to set, you will be rewarded with a very strong bond.
Below are the best glues you can use to glue popsicle sticks together. They are all perfectly suited for different projects, so keep this in mind when choosing one to use.
The 5 Best Glues For Popsicle Sticks
Now that you know what to look for, we have a few suggestions to help you narrow down the wide array of glues available to you in this day and age:
| Rank | Product | Key Features |
| 1. | Gorilla Super Glue Gel | Fast-setting, impact-tough, versatile |
| 2. | Lotice Ultra Gel Super Glue | Instant bond, dries clear, flexible |
| 3. | Gorilla Wood Glue | Water-resistant, versatile, 20-30 min. clamp |
| 4. | Barge All-Purpose Cement Rubber | Strong bond, multi-use, dries clear |
| 5. | Devcon 2 Ton Epoxy | Very strong, water-resistant, 30-min. set |
We’re sure any one of these will work excellently to keep your next project nice and secure. Read on for more about these top glues:
1. Gorilla Super Glue Gel
For projects where you need to stick lots of popsicle sticks together, the Gorilla Super Glue Gel is the best option. The no-run control gel formula from Gorilla is ideal to use on popsicle sticks, as it can easily be used on vertical surfaces without dripping or messing.
It is a strong glue and dries in 10-30 seconds, which means there is no clamping needed. An anti-clog cap tops the superglue bottle, and it prevents the glue from drying out, keeping the glue ready to be used time and time again.
The super glue is impact-tough, with unique rubber particles that increase impact resistance and strength, which will help your projects be more durable.
The versatile glue is great to use on wood and popsicle sticks, but it is also a great addition to your craft and DIY toolbox, as it can also be used to bond plastic, metal, ceramic, rubber, leather, paper, and much more.
2. Lotice Ultra Gel Control Super Glue
The rubber toughened glue from Loctite is a very durable super glue with a formula made to resist water, impact, vibrations, and shocks, and is ideal for popsicle crafts which will undergo regular use or which will be placed in harsh conditions.
With a no-mess formula, there is no dripping or running, which allows you to use the glue on vertical surfaces, so you can easily work up a project from the start without having to lay it flat to dry.
The glue dries invisibly and can set without clamping, and with the fast drying time, it is great to use for popsicle crafts as you don’t need to waste any time with clamping the pieces one by one to dry.
The Loctite Ultra Gel Control Super Glue works well on porous surfaces and can glue wood, rubber, metal, paper, ceramic, hard plastics, and other materials, so you can even stick your popsicles to other surfaces using this glue.
While the glue comes in a small bottle, a little bit goes a long way, and you will not need to use more than a drop of glue to stick two popsicle sticks together!
3. Gorilla Wood Glue
The Gorilla Wood Glue is so easy to use, and the water-based adhesive has strong holding power and is perfect to use for hobby projects which use wood, such as popsicle sticks.
You will need to use clamps when letting your popsicle sticks dry with the Gorilla Wood Glue, so it is better suited for projects where there aren’t too many popsicle sticks to stick together in one go.
However, you do only need around 20-30 minutes of clamping time to allow the wood glue to dry, and a further 24 hours for the glue to cure completely.
It is a versatile glue and can be used for projects that will be kept both indoors and outdoors, and can be used on hardwoods, softwoods, and natural wood composites.
Wood glue would obviously be one of the better choices to use for sticking popsicle sticks together, but the drying time is not always convenient when you have lots of sticks to stick together.
4. Barge All-Purpose TF Cement Rubber
The Barge All-Purpose TF Cement Rubber has incredible bonding power, and can really help to create a strong bond between popsicle sticks!
It helps you make a strong, durable project that can withstand quite a bit of strain. If you’re making decorations, this means they’ll hold up for years.
The glue is incredibly versatile, and while it works really well on wood, and therefore popsicle sticks, it can also mend leather, shoes, and even glass and cork.
It dries clear, which means it will not get in the way of any decorative work you want to do with your popsicle craft!
5. Devcon 2 Ton Epoxy
Devcon 2 Ton Expoxy is ideal for joining wood and will bond popsicle sticks together with an incredibly strong bond. It can also be used to bond popsicle sticks with metal, concrete, glass, ceramics, china, and other wood as well.
The epoxy takes 30 minutes to set, and you will need to use clamps to allow the popsicle sticks to bond, which is not ideal for projects that involve sticking together many different popsicle sticks.
But once the epoxy has cured, it has a strength of up to 2500 pounds per square inch, so you know there is little chance of your project breaking due to the glue failing.
It is water-resistant and dries clear, so it will give your project and crafts the protection and durability they need, without interfering with the look of the project by adding in any unwanted colors.
You will need to find out the ratio to use between the resin and the hardener, to ensure that the reaction is as high-strength as possible and resistant to most chemicals.
If you want the strongest bond possible, the Devcon 2 Ton Epoxy is just what you need.
Related Questions
What Causes Glue to Dry?
What causes glue to dry depends on the glue you are using. Most glues dry due to exposure to air, which is why you won’t find glue sticking to the inside of the bottle, as the bottle should be airtight. However, some glues, such as super glue, harden when they come into contact with moisture.
Which Glues For Popsicle Sticks Are Non-Toxic?
If you are looking for a non-toxic glue to use to bond popsicle sticks together, it would be best to stick with wood glue. These are usually non-toxic, but check the label before making a purchase. This is ideal for crafting with kids.
Can I Use Scissors to Cut Popsicle Sticks?
Flat blade scissors will not cut through popsicle sticks well, however you can use serrated scissors that are used for kitchen purposes to cut popsicle sticks. A large pair of craft scissors will also work to cut popsicle sticks.
The Best Glue For Popsicle Sticks
Before you decide on the best glue to use to stick popsicle sticks together, you need to know exactly what your project entails.
If you are needing to glue lots of sticks together and do not want to take the time to clamp each one to dry, you should use super glue.
If you don’t mind spending time clamping the sticks together to dry, PVA wood glue, rubber cement, or epoxy are good options and will give you a very strong bond.
Up Next: The Best Glue For Paper Mache In 2020
