Sticks provide endless opportunities for fun! Here are some simple ideas to invite open-ended play with sticks.
Draw with sticks dipped in mud or water, or use sticks to carve into dirt or mud
Paint sticks in different colours and patterns
Find a good sized stick to make a walking stick and decorate it
Make a tic tac toe board with sticks
Make a stick collection and order it from largest to smallest
Make magic wands using paint or wrapping sticks with coloured thread
Weave sticks and/or plant stems together
Collect sticks for practical purposes like bonfires
Build fairy homes with sticks
Go for a walk to collect as many sticks as you can
Create small structures or small bridges with sticks
Use sticks to bang on different types of materials - pots and pans, trees, and containers that are empty or containers that are filled with water all make different sounds and feel different to hit with a stick
Peel the bark off of old sticks
Use sticks to stir potions, stews, and nature soup.