This is an easy project we did the last time we went to the river. I call them "Wilding Sticks". All you need is a variety of colorful electrical tape, scissors, and some feathers. After you've collected the walking sticks, add the tape and feathers in whatever design is appealing. I think they're so cool to look at and the kids love using them.
We also made these nature bracelets which were very easy. Make a bracelet of duct tape with the sticky side out. Now, collect bits and pieces of flowers, seeds, grasses and other things you find and stick them on the bracelet. I like this project because it really tunes you into the variety of plant-life growing around you.
Just brilliant! Can't wait to share this with my kids when they wake up tomorrow!
Posted by: wendy | April 28, 2010 at 09:15 PM
Hello, I'm the photo editor for a children's magazine, who has a website. On it we would like to mention your wilding sticks and use one image of the boy with the sticks wadding in the water. We would need a copy of the image.
Will you please email me so we can discuss this further.
I am leaving town tomorrow for a few days, and I will get back to you, when I return.
Thank you.
Posted by: Carol Parden | March 24, 2009 at 06:58 AM
Great ideas!
Those remind me of my childhood, interesting!
Posted by: Bracelets | March 18, 2009 at 01:18 AM
Love these sticks--and they're so perfect because my maiden name is Wilding! Thanks so much for the idea. Me and my four year old (who's middle name is Wilding) will be making these for sure.
Posted by: Jenny | February 23, 2009 at 04:14 PM
Hello!-- I work for Kristin on her Sew,Mama,Sew! blog and we'd love to get permission to re-post your image for an upcoming series about handcrafts for children. Could you contact me via email for details? I wasn't able to locate your email on the site (though I often miss such things!).
Thank you!
Beth
beth(at)sewmamasew(dot)com
Posted by: Beth | December 09, 2008 at 05:15 PM
I did this project with my son yesterday and posted about it on my blog (http://icelandicbarbie.wordpress.com/) with a couple links back to your page (both the wilding sticks page and your main page)I hope that is okay. My son and I sure had a blast doing this project. Thanks!
Posted by: Barbara in Minnesota | October 09, 2008 at 01:10 PM
Love this craft! We just finished 'Camp Meme' last week and I would have loved to have this craft for our two grandsons.
Tanya
Posted by: Yo Mj | August 01, 2008 at 02:31 PM
Hi there I really love reading about all the things you do with your kids . Can I ask you what do you do with all the things you make. My kids get very attached to all their art projects and the house is bursting. Especially things that are made from " nature" when the leaves crumble etc it is difficult to know what to do. We have only so much wall space! Help!
Posted by: Ger O'Leary | July 09, 2008 at 01:28 AM
that is so cool !!!
I will definetly do this with my kids this summer near the river.
Posted by: matilou | April 02, 2008 at 03:55 PM
great ideas! I think we may try doing the sticks but with acrylic paint since we don't have colorful electric tape : )
Posted by: ohtoseethesunset | March 30, 2008 at 03:10 PM
Fantastic! A simple idea with a lot of impact!
Posted by: little red hen | March 28, 2008 at 05:44 AM
way cute stuff!!!
Posted by: e.beck | March 27, 2008 at 07:45 PM
I've seen walking sticks decorated with yarn too. You put glue on the stick and then tightly wrap the yarn around.
Posted by: Stef | March 26, 2008 at 03:01 PM
Wow - those wilding sticks would have been great at our recent garden party. You take beautiful photos and this is a lovely blog!
Posted by: Gwyn | December 10, 2007 at 02:25 AM
Those look beautiful! I think we are going to do that this week. I love your ideas.
Posted by: Brit | July 16, 2007 at 11:19 AM
These are great ideas! My children will love them. Thanks.
Posted by: Ellen | July 13, 2007 at 12:33 PM
Great idea! Easy to do with my little guys. They always grab a stick when we go hiking. I know my husband has a lot of electrical tape down in the basement. I'll have to go dig around in his stuff :)
Posted by: Melissa | July 09, 2007 at 06:49 AM
Wonderful ideas! I love that you've combined electrical and duct tape with all the nature stuff. It's like nature meeting industry and I like it. It's also much more realistic than binding them with rawhide or some such stuff. I've got duct tape and electrical tape, so this is very doable. In fact, we might go do it now.
Thanks.
Posted by: Wendy | July 02, 2007 at 04:45 PM