Sticks and Stones Family Nature Play Session

A few local families and I meet every week for a nature play session. This week's theme was "Sticks and Stones." We started out with some "loose parts" play using several baskets full of twigs, natural building blocks (see my earlier post from July 2012 on how to make them), and stones. I set them up on a asphalt path, and set up a sample design. My idea was for the kids to set the stones and twigs in various patterns, build with them, etc. I also provided various "squirt bottles," such as misters, old dish soap bottles, liquid soap pumps, etc. This had an interesting effect on the colors of the stones! The kids loved the water.

This little boy brought his own Lego toy for added fun! Mixing the natural with modern toys can add new dimensions!

The boy on the right is tipping a squeezie "ketchup bottle" style container over some rocks. The rocks changed colors!

Even the smallest little ones can have a great time with sticks and stones. This little guy was making a line. Great way to teach shapes, too!

The second portion of our session included making walking sticks to use on our hike. I also gathered the walking stick idea from programs at the Garfield Park Conservatory (http://www.garfieldconservatory.org/families.htm). I provided yarn, leather cording, beads, a small compass and "natural treasures" sack to tie onto the stick. The compasses were about 1 inch in size and light enough to tie on to the stick. I ordered muslin sacks premade from San Francisco Herb Company, but you can make your own if you are handy. I'll explain the "natural treasures" idea below.

Family Walking Stick under construction

A good shot of the "natural treasures" sack and compass here.

 After everyone made their sticks, we headed out for our hike. Each child used their stick to manage the terrain and we stop and explored "natural wonders" like a carpenter ant, spider, burr oak acorns, moss growing on a fallen piece of bark, pebbles, etc. If the (non-alive) item was small enough, we each took one and added it our natural treasures bag. Everyone got a piece of the moss on bark!

About 1.5 weeks before this photo was taken, I placed a charred log alongside the trail. When we walked by, we rolled the log over and it was teeming with life! Pill bugs, millipedes, daddy long legs, several beetle species, larvae, and more were scampering away as we flipped over the rock.

You can see the two little guys (pink shirt and striped shirt) testing out their walking sticks.

It was a fun day! I hope our little budding hikers keep their walking sticks for years to come!

String some garland with dried seed pods from your garden!

As fall nears, seed pods will start to dry and will present an excellent opportunity for crafting with nature! Below I have pulled two stems of dried seed pods commonly found in home gardens. I have selected Love in the Mist and Blue False Indigo. Both are perennial shrubs. The seed pods make an excellent natural shaker, too! Allegedly, Blue False Indigo was used as Native American baby rattles.

Pictured from top to bottom: Love in the Mist and False Blue Indigo

Tools needed for creating seed garland.

You will need bendable wire from the craft store. Floral wire is too thin and too short for making any fun designs. It can be found in the jewelry section.

String pods on in desired pattern.

It is very easy to poke the wire through the seed pods (if you are using the kind of wire I suggested). Our 7 year old here is doing it all on her own without my help (=20 minutes of quiet time for mom).

Keep stringing.

One design possibility.

Seed pod garlands make fun yard art. 

 

 

When the seed garland is done, arrange or use as decor in a variety of ways, including decorating your yard or garden. It's a great way to cheer up a drab chain link fence. The seed pods, because they are natural, should weather pretty well for a while.