This miniature hanging swing chair is made mainly from popsicle sticks, with small beads, thread and metal chains added to create the suspension system. The finished chair has a simple wooden seat, armrests and a decorative geometric backrest, making it suitable for a dollhouse porch, miniature garden or small-scale outdoor scene.
In this step-by-step tutorial, I’ll show you how the individual wooden pieces are cut, assembled, reinforced and sanded before the chains and decorative details are added. It may look intricate when finished, but the construction starts with a very simple square seat made from short pieces of popsicle stick.
Materials You'll Need
Before you get started, gather the following materials:
- Popsicle sticks (craft sticks)
- matchsticks
- Crafting Glue (like Grab Fast Tacky glue)
- Craft knife or hobby knife
- Metal ruler
- Cutting mat
- Pencil
- Sandpaper (fine grit)
- Small beads
- Strong thread or jewelry cord
- Small metal jump rings
- Fine decorative chain
- Scissors
- Pin vise (or mini hand drill)
- Jump rings (6–8 mm)
- Fine jewelry chain
- Wood stain, acrylic paint or varnish (optional, for finishing)
Optional tools
- Mini clamps or tweezers to hold small parts while the glue dries
This project is suitable for several miniature scales depending on the final dimensions.
Step-by-step tutorial
Let's get straight to the tutorial again!
Step 1: Build the Seat Base
Begin by cutting five pieces measuring approximately 5 cm long from a popsicle stick. Arrange them side by side to create a square seat measuring about 5 × 5 cm.
Next, cut two support strips, each approximately 4.5 cm long, and glue them across the back of the seat—one near the top and one near the bottom. These reinforcement pieces will hold the seat together and keep it nice and sturdy.
Once the glue has completely dried, turn the seat over and use fine-grit sandpaper to smooth the edges and gently round the four corners. This simple step gives the seat a much cleaner, more professional finish and prepares it for the rest of the build.
Step 2: Attach the First Side Support
Cut one full-width popsicle stick to 5 cm. This piece will become the first side support of your miniature swing.
Apply a thin line of glue along one long edge of the stick and position it vertically against the side of the seat base, making sure it sits flush with the bottom edge. Hold it in place for a few seconds until the glue has set.