Create a long skinny rectangle

Add two circles to the ends that are the same height as the rectangle.  Center the circles over the end of the rectangle.

Combine/Unite all 3 objects.

Create 6 copies and line them up so the edges touch.

Add a rectangle or square around the outside.

Round the corners so it will be comfortable for small hands to hold.

Center the popsicle sticks in the middle of your rectangle.

Copy the rectangle so there is a second one without the sticks. This will be your backer.

Set all objects to Cut.

Add a design to your popsicle sticks.  A “coloring page” style line art design will be best here.

I created a smiling sunflower and added a stem to it.

Animals or mandalas would be really cool here, too.

Set this design to Score.

When do you paint?  

You can paint the wood white and then cut and score.  You'll need to clean up any smoke residue afterwards.

You can cut (not the scored part) and then paint.  This makes a cleaner paint job.  But you'll need to score after the paint dries in a second step.  

The second method involves more steps but I do it this way so I can have blank templates that can be scored on site with custom graphics or added names.

You can paint the design OR you can make them as a “paint your own” style.

I painted mine with paint pens but you can use regular acrylic paint, color markers, or even crayons.

After painting these can also be sealed with a clear spray paint.