There’s nothing quite like a walk or hike in nature to ignite the adventurous spirit in kids! And what better way to enhance their outdoor exploration than with a personalized DIY hiking stick? Here we’ll delve into the art of creating your very own DIY walking or hiking stick for kids. From finding the perfect stick to decorating it with colorful yarn or twine, this craft will not only serve as a helpful companion during outdoor adventures but also a keepsake of precious memories. So, let’s embark on this exciting journey of crafting and hiking, where nature’s wonders and creative expression collide!
WILL YOU TRY MAKING A DIY HIKING STICK WITH YOUR CHILD? Pin it for later!
Materials
- Long, straight stick
- Yarn or twine
- Items found in nature (leaves, flowers, pinecones, feathers etc.)
Crafting Memories: DIY Hiking Stick for Adventurous Kids!
Finding the Perfect Hiking Stick
Before we start crafting, let’s find a good hiking stick! Head outdoors with your kids and search for a sturdy and straight stick that reaches up to their armpits when standing. The ideal hiking stick should feel comfortable in their hands, offering a solid grip during their adventures. Look for sticks with a smooth surface and no sharp edges to ensure safety during the hikes. Surprisingly, we always find the best hiking sticks while exploring the shoreline of lakes.
Prepare the Hiking Stick
Once you’ve found the perfect stick, it’s time to unleash your creativity! Using colorful yarn or twine, wrap it gently around the hiking stick, not too tight, leaving enough space between each wrap. Secure the ends of the yarn or twine by tying a knot on both sides. This decorative touch will not only add a splash of vibrant colors to the stick but also make it easily identifiable and personalized for each young hiker.
Decorating Your Hiking Stick
As you go on your hike, allow your child to stop and discover different items along the way. Be sure not to disturb nature too much by pulling leaves or flowers off plants. Instead find items that have already fallen or that are on the ground or on the hiking trail. You can decorate the stick while on your next hike or before hand using items from your backyard. Great items to add are feathers, pinecones, leaves, flowers and any other fascinating treasures they find.
Hiking Tips with Kids
As you set off on your outdoor adventures with the newly crafted hiking sticks, here are some hiking tips to make the experience safe and enjoyable:
- Choose Kid-Friendly Trails: Opt for trails that are suitable for kids, with manageable lengths and mild terrains. Remember to check the weather and trail conditions before you head out.
- Pack Essentials: Bring along water, snacks, a first aid kit, and sunscreen. It’s also a great idea to carry a small backpack where kids can collect nature treasures they find along the way.
- Practice Leave No Trace: Teach kids about the importance of respecting nature and leaving it as they found it. Encourage them to admire and learn about wildlife from a distance without disturbing their habitats.
Crafting a DIY walking or hiking stick with kids is a memorable and empowering experience. As they explore the great outdoors with their personalized sticks, they’ll not only enjoy the practical benefits of having a steady companion but also develop a deeper connection to nature. From decorating the stick to collecting nature treasures, each step of this creative journey will foster a love for the outdoors and create cherished memories for years to come. So, let your creativity and curiosity run wild as you embark on your next hike, with your very own DIY hiking stick leading the way! Happy hiking!
Age Suitability
This activity is good for toddlers aged children 3 years old and up with adult assistance.
Mess Level
The mess level for this activity is medium.
Difficulty to Create
Low.
Skills Developed
Language development, shape recognition, color recognition, hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills, imaginative play, creativity.
Toddler and Preschooler Curriculums, Books & TV Show!
Play2Learn Toddler & Preschool Programs for Curious Toddlers
There is no limit to your toddler’s energy and curiosity. That energy and curiosity although a joy can be challenging at times. Their interest in just about everything around them is what makes them great learners. One and two year olds can soak up so much just from their senses!
But as a teacher or parent that thirst for learning can be exhausting. That is why I created this toddler and preschooler program. To help you get the most out of this time with your curious toddler without having to come up with creative ways to play and interact with them.
Play2Learn for Toddlers includes 20 Units for toddlers. Each 2-week toddler unit has 20 super easy to set up and engaging activities for toddlers 18 months to 3 years.
Play2Learn Preschool which includes 20 Units for preschoolers. Each 2-week preschoolers unit has 20 unique and easy to set up and engaging activities for preschoolers 3 years to 5 years. That’s over 800 learning activities for your toddler and preschooler at your fingertips! So many ideas you and your child will never be bored again!
These toddler and preschool lesson plans and activities will definitely keep you and your toddler and preschooler busy playing and learning!
Click here for more information: Play2Learn
Designed for toddlers 18 months and up.
Book: Exciting Sensory Bins for Curious Kids
Did you know I wrote a book of sensory bins? Click here for more information Exciting Sensory Bin for Curious Kids. Or grab your copy at Amazon.
Boring afternoons are made exciting with awesome animal-based bins, like Salty Shark Bay or Yarn Farm. Pretend play bins like Birthday Cake Sensory Play or Bubble Tea Party encourage creativity and imagination. And your kids will have so much fun they won’t even know they’re getting smarter with STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) activities like Sink or Float Soup, Magnetic Letter Hunt or Ice Cream Scoop and Count.
Designed for toddlers 18 months and up.
Book: Super STEAM Activity Book for Kids
Learning all about science, technology, engineering, art, and math sets kids up for scholastic success―and it can be so much fun! Watch kids enjoy building STEAM skills as they color friendly fish, help water find its way to tree roots, solve math problems with mazes, and more.
Find out more and grab your copy here.
Designed for preschoolers 3 years old and up.
Book: Big Book of Riddles for Kids
Riddle me this: What’s an exciting way to practice critical thinking while having a blast? The Big Riddle Book for Kids, of course! From hilarious puns to tough brain teasers, kids can build problem-solving skills with hundreds of riddles tha. t show them how to think outside the box.
- 350 riddles for kids—Have hours of fun with riddles, puns and jokes, and math and logic puzzles that’ll get their wheels turning!
- Level up their skills—Riddles get trickier as kids progress through the book, challenging them as they get better at solving puzzles!
- Double-check their work—Kids can check their answers in the back of the book with a handy answer key.
Help children expand their minds while having fun with this puzzle book for kids!
Designed for kids ages 6 years old and up.
TV Show: Curious Crafting
I’m so excited to share my crafting TV show Curious Crafting which launched in July 2022 on TVOkids and TVOkids YouTube! Season 2 airs in the summer of 2023! We were also nominated in 2023 for Best Live Action Preschool Series by the Youth Media Alliance Awards of Excellence.
Set in the ultimate crafting space, Curious Crafting is a short form pre-school age series about the joy of making crafts. I lead a rotating cast of adorable little preschoolers (including my own) making magic out of common household objects.
In each episode we transform recycled items into magical crafts like a milk carton school bus, paper bag puppet or cotton pad turtle. The crafters learn and laugh their way through each activity while demonstrating what their young imaginations can create.
Curious Crafting shares the adventure and joy of making art with takeaway lessons for creating crafts at home.
This show designed for toddlers and preschoolers 2.5 years old and up.
WILL YOU TRY MAKING A DIY HIKING STICK WITH YOUR CHILD? Pin it for later!
