Posted on 05/27/2016
We began looking at some simple, natural items that can fuel unplugged play time with your kids. If you’re anything like me, these ideas sound like activities you’d actually want to stick around for — or even participate in — instead of leaving the room or escaping to some screen time of your own. Why is that? This kind of open-ended play can be freeing, instead of limiting. The possibilities are endless. And once you start an activity with your kids, they’ll probably surprise you and take it a direction you hadn’t even considered. We’ll look at a few more stick-related ideas before crossing over into our next favorite play tool: dirt.
Stick Bombs
For those action-oriented kids, a favorite use for popsicle sticks and tongue depressors can be stick bombs! By leveraging the tension of the sticks, you can create various designs that will “explode” (well, fall apart, anyway) upon contact with whatever they hit. Especially a favorite with kinesthetic (or movement-oriented) learners, they provide a challenge as well as an activity.
Expand the same idea for chain reactions — like this 1,000-piece stick bomb! Again made from everyday objects, stick bombs provide a lot of bang for your buck. If you’d rather have an all-in-one set, complete with instructional video, color-coded guide, and carrying case, sometimes you can find Stick Bomb Kits on etsy.com.
Stick-Built Toys
Again constructed from popsicle sticks, these ideas provide challenging projects that older kids can complete on their own and toys that kids of all ages can enjoy later on! First are these Marble Runs, made from a shoe box, craft sticks, and a little glue. We also like these popsicle stick Photo Puzzles, sure to be a hit with grandparents, too.
These catapults just take rubber bands and bottle caps. Or you could create miniature versions of your child's toys for miniature people or animal play. This swing set is a simple design, and this house is a little more involved.
While the straight shape may seem a bit limiting, did you know that you can also boil popsicle sticks to make them bendable and even make Popsicle Stick Jewelry?!
Painting with Sticks
Your sticks can combine with other natural elements to create your own unique Natural Paint Brushes, each of which will allow you to paint unique textures on whatever surface you choose. Or you could actually paint the sticks you collect on nature hikes and use them for indoor play or to make decorations or gifts like these mobiles.
Stick Writing Activities
From preschoolers needing to fine-tune fine motor skills to older kids playing games, improving handwriting or practicing math or spelling skills, it’s fun to nix the paper and pencil sometimes and go with something a little more sensory-oriented — like sticks and dirt! From outdoor, organic methods, which are completely free, to a salt tray like this rainbow version or this scented, holiday-themed one, the variations are nearly endless.