🎈 Balloon Stickman Game

🎈 DIY Stickman Balloon Game

In this Instructable, you’ll learn how to create your very own stickman-shaped balloon target using everyday materials like sticks, colored plastic threads, strings, and balloons. The idea is simple: design a quirky stickman, attach balloons to its body, and let players try to pop the balloons using straws.

Craft Materials:

1. Balloons x2 – For the stickman’s body and the target (get a few extras in case some pop early)
2. Barbecue sticks (1 pack) – These will form the skeleton or “bones” of your stickman
3. Colorful strings x2 – For wrapping joints and adding creative touches
4. Plastic threads x1 – Adds structure and can be used to secure balloons or add flair
5. Toothpick sticks (1 pack) – For small parts or detailing (like fingers or accessories!)

️ Tools:

1. Wood saw x1 – To cut barbecue sticks to the desired lengths
2. Glue gun x1 – For strong and quick bonding of parts
3. Glue sticks x2 – Used with the glue gun for strong bonding

Start by gluing the barbecue sticks together to form your stickman's three main body parts: hands, legs, and torso :

🔹 Part 1: The Hands

We’ll create a hollow rectangle using 4 barbecue sticks:

1. Attach them from 3 sides only (see Image 5).
2. Leave the fourth side open — this will allow us to insert the string later on (see Image 4 for the shape).
3. Repeat this for the second hand.

🔹 Part 2: The Legs

Each leg will be made from 7 sticks, arranged in a shape like the one shown in Image 6.

1. Glue the sticks only from the outside.
2. Leave the inner stick unglued, so it can be removed later to thread the string inside.

🔹 Part 3: The Body

The torso is a larger version of the leg, using 19 sticks.

1. Form the same structure as the legs, but add an outer layer of sticks for strength (see Image 9).
2. Again, do not glue the inner stick — you'll need to remove it later to fit the string through the body.

Now that you know the shape and structure of each part, it’s time to cut the barbecue sticks to the correct sizes.

Cutting Guide:

=> Hands and Legs:

1. Cut to 5–6 cm in length

=> Body Sections:

1. Cut to 7–8 cm in length

Total Pieces You’ll Need:

1. 4 Arm pieces
2. 4 Leg pieces
3. 2 Body pieces

now it is time to assemble the joints of hands and legs:

=> prep Instructions (Before tying):

1. Prep Legs by Removing the inner sticks (image 1+2).
2. Thread your string through the empty space(image 3+4).

=> Tying Instructions (for Hands and Legs):

1. Before Part 1: Tie a 🪢 knot (anchor point).
2. After Part 1: Tie another 🪢 (secures first limb).
3. Add Part 2: Slide the next piece in.
4. Final Tie: 🪢 after Part 2 (image 7+8).

i put the body in a seperate step because it is not as strait forward even though it is so easy

Instructions:

=> Head & Legs

1-Prep Like Legs

1. Remove inner sticks from body frame .
2. Insert one long string through the hollow center (will connect head + legs).

2- Leg Tie (Shoe Style) 👟

1. On the leg side, tie a shoelace knot (double-loop)(image 2+3).

3- Head Tie (Simple Knot) 🪢

1. On the top side, tie a single tight knot for the head (image 4).

=> Hands Attachment

1. Tie a normal knot on hand strings.
2. Slide between body sticks (no glue yet).

Finally :

1. Trim excess string .
2. Blast knots with glue gun to secure them in place.

No, it’s not optional :) You must do it — so it looks cooler.

Instructions :

Just wrap your strings around the parts to color them, and secure them with glue on each side of each part so they don’t fall off.

📝 Note: I ended up changing the color because I didn’t like it :)

Now it's time to put everything together.

Instructions:

1- Link the hands and legs to the body in their correct positions.

2- Trim excess string .

📝 Note: Isn’t red and white cooler? :) 🎀

Time to bring your Stickman Warrior to life!

Instructions:

1- Build the Shield

Start by assembling the shield — simply glue toothpicks together in the shape you like(image 1).

2- Control Sticks

1. Glue a barbecue stick to each hand.
2. These will let players control the arms during the game.

3- sword & Shield

1. Sword Hand: Attach a toothpick (or pin) as a weapon .
2. Shield Hand: Glue on sticks shield .

4- Base Setup

1. Glue the legs to a wooden base (25–30cm ).

❗important Note: Position the sword hand in the first toy facing the shield hand in the second toy .

How to Play:

1. Hang a balloon on head.
2. Players use the control sticks to:
3. Defend (block with shield)
4. Attack (pop the balloon with sword)
5. Score Points:
6. +1 per popped balloon 🎯
7. -1 if stickman falls ☠️

Finally 🙏

Special Thanks to Instructables — they helped me discover the limits of my creativity and pushed me to go further.

I’ve had this idea in mind for a couple of months, and when I saw the Instructables contest, it felt like the perfect call to action.

And thank you, the reader, for finishing my Instructable.

I hope you build it, enjoy it, and maybe even feel inspired to create something of your own. 😊