Sticks ~ Natures Perfect Toy

Today Is our finial day of the Play Inspired with Nature series that we are doing with  Growing A Jeweled Rose.  We have had a blast creating and playing with nature and I am sad to see the series come to a close.  So far we created, played and were inspired by nature in the following ways:

Mud, Muds Glorious Mud ~ Mud Play Recipes

5 fun ways to paint in the rain ~ Magical Princess Puddle Play

Nature Prints ~ Nature Inspired Texture Paints.

Nature Stick Garden Sculptures ~  Nature Play Garden

Like I said we have been having a blast! Today we are introducing you to some of natures best toys!  Crystal is sharing an exciting Magic Mud Recipe and we are introducing you to the Stick ~ Natures Perfect Toy.

……………………………………………………………

An Airplane, a fairy house, a sword, a magic wand, a fort, an alligator, a fishing pole, a paint brush…just a few of the things that your child sees when they pick up a stick.  It may not be what you or I see, but to a kid the stick is magical   Kids have amazing imaginations, that can turn everyday objects into something wonderful and magical.  Sticks fall right into that category.  They are readily available, come in every shape and size and my favorite part…they are free.  All that combined easily makes sticks ~ natures perfect toy.

Yep that is me as a little girl determined to carry a HUGE stick!

How many times have you gone on a walk with your kids only to return with your child dragging a stick home.  I promise that you are not alone.  Like peanut butter and jelly, kids and sticks just go together.

While most of us are cringing inside at all the possible injuries that could result from our kids playing with sticks; the kids are being imaginative, playing, problem solving and having fun.  All things we would normally be encouraging our kids to do, however when it comes to the simple stick we often have a different opinion.

Seems backwards.

So why do we cringe when our kids pick up a stick and zoom it around like an airplane, or use it to draw something fun?

I have no answers  but I do know that I have heard myself more than once tell my kids to “put down the stick” or “be careful, you might poke someones eye out”.  The funny thing is, I let my kids use the electric drill and hot glue gun, so why does a stick seem so dangerous?  Like anything, stick can cause harm when miss used.  I’m not saying remove common sense, but with supervision in wide open spaces lets encourage our kids to embrace what they already know is simply wonderful!  While we are at it, surprise your kids and join in on the fun as well:)

This is us at the apple orchard playing one of the kids favorite games… Rotten Apple Baseball.  What is Kaleb using for a bat?  Yep, it is a stick!

I love these simple stick self portraits my kids did.  

Even creating art from simple sticks is fun!

No need for blinking lights or plastic parts.  All you need is a little imagination and some good old fashioned fun!  How do you view stick play in your house?  I would love to hear your thoughts.

……………………………………………………………