Everyone loves a stick

The ultimate toy of toys.  There is nothing to compare.  It is the stick.

Every time I wander in the wild with the kidlings a stick is, almost without exception, found.  It’s never just picked up, it’s selected by size shape and form for a purpose.  Perhaps it will be a long whippy one today, with extra length and flickability especially suited to scything grass.  Or perhaps it’s a Gandalf-esque staff complete with a “You shall not pass” in a slightly higher voice than expected.  I don’t often get gun sticks any more; last time I was shot by a stick I lay down and played dead until the kiddywinks got bored, it hasn’t happened again.  Once, when I was prepared, we had flag sticks with squares of fabric and ribbons tied on.

Sometimes we’re blessed with too many sticks to hold.  Then it’s time to build a lean-to.  Find one big fallen branch - at least 6 foot long and with a v end if possible - and a tree.  Lean the big stick up against the tree and then stack smaller twigs along the supporting sticks length.  15 minutes hard child labour will have a fairly draft proof  lean-to.  Pack a thermos of pea soup, and tell them it’s nettle (though real nettle soup ain’t bad if you add cream); or a pocketful of chocolate raisins and convince them its bunny poo.

Enjoy.

Update
Typical, I blog about the inevitability of sticks, go for a walk with my boys and they avoid any stickage whatsoever.

tag... play for today, 3up, 5up, 8up, out and about