Create an urban parklet

What can we use instead of craft sticks, fake plants, or pebbles if those are hard to find?

If you don't have craft sticks, fake plants, or pebbles, substitute sturdy strips cut from a cereal box or thin cardboard for the benches, folded green paper or felt scraps for plants, and buttons or dried beans for mini decorations when arranging and attaching items to the base.

My benches fall apart or the pathway strips curl—how can we fix those problems?

Clamp glued craft-stick benches with clothespins while the glue dries, press pathway strips flat under a heavy book before and after gluing, and score cardboard with a ruler before folding plant boxes to keep pieces from tearing during the 'build benches', 'make a pathway', and 'fold small pieces of cardboard' steps.

How can I adapt the parklet project for younger kids or for older kids who want more challenge?

For younger kids, pre-cut the cardboard base, pathways, and plant boxes and let them place big stickers and paint simple benches, while older kids can use a craft knife with supervision, add scaled measurements, fine paint details, or tiny furniture when drawing the outline and building the layout.

What are creative ways to extend or personalize the parklet before sharing it on DIY.org?

Personalize and strengthen your finished parklet by varnishing or sealing painted benches and the base, adding a small battery LED to light the pathway, and glueing bottle-cap planters or a tiny community sign as extra decorations before sharing on DIY.org.