Kia ora,
Helen Upson here from Creativity Beyond the Classroom. In this blog, I’m taking a slightly different approach from my previous post about using scissors and Sellotape outdoors. Today, I want to share one of the simplest yet most powerful natural resources we use during our forest programme—sticks!

Often in early childhood centres, sticks can be seen as a challenge. They’re frequently associated with unsafe play—being used as weapons, for hitting, or mimicking guns. However, when we guide tamariki to use sticks with a purpose and respect, they can become incredible tools for learning, exploration, and creativity.

During our forest programme, we encourage tamariki to collect sticks of all shapes and sizes. Here are some ideas on how we use sticks safely within our community and in our centre by using sticks in a variety of open-ended ways:

 Measuring and Estimating

Sticks are perfect for developing early maths concepts. Tamariki use them to measure how deep the mud or water is, or to see how tall someone is by lying down beside the stick. We ask questions like, “How many sticks tall are you?” or “Can we find a stick longer than your leg?” These playful interactions introduce comparison, estimation, and the language of measurement in meaningful contexts.

 Nature Art

Sticks become beautiful art pieces. Tamariki arrange them into shapes, letters, or create a frame of weaving a nature loom. They often combine them with leaves and flowers to create their art piece.

 Construction and Engineering

Whether it’s making a tepee, a miniature hut, or a bug hotel, building with sticks promotes problem-solving, teamwork, and fine motor skills. Tamariki learn about balance, stability, and spatial awareness as they experiment with how to stack and secure their creations.

Imaginative Play

Sticks are never just sticks. In the minds of tamariki, they transform into fishing rods, magic wands, walking sticks, or dinosaur bones. This kind of imaginative play encourages storytelling, role play, and communication—essential foundations for early literacy and social development.

Sorting and Classifying

As we gather sticks, tamariki naturally begin to sort them—by length, thickness, colour, or texture. We support this curiosity by asking open-ended questions like, “Which ones are smooth?” or “Can you find three that are the same length?” These activities promote early science and maths skills in a hands-on, sensory-rich way.

By shifting the narrative around sticks—from weapons to wonderful tools—we not only support tamariki’s development but also build a stronger connection to the natural world. The forest and our community are full of learning, and often, the simplest resources offer the richest opportunities.

To support tamariki in exploring and playing with sticks safely, we established a set of simple yet effective guidelines. These rules empower tamariki to understand boundaries while still allowing creativity and exploration. By setting expectations early, we create a safe and respectful learning environment for everyone involved.

Stick Safety Guidelines

• Sticks are tools, not weapons – We use sticks for building, creating, and exploring, not for hurting.
• No hitting – Sticks are not to be used to hit people, animals, or property.
• Keep sticks below your shoulders – Sticks must always stay below head height to avoid accidents.
• Ask for help with big sticks – If your stick is longer than you are tall, you need two people to carry and use it safely.
• Be aware of your space – Make sure you have plenty of room around you before moving or playing with your stick.
• Respect others’ play – Be mindful of where and how you are using your stick when others are nearby.

By embedding these guidelines into our forest and outdoor community and in our centre, we are encouraging tamariki to develop responsibility, collaboration, and care for others—all while enjoying the rich possibilities of nature-based play.

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog! I hope it’s given you some ideas you can use in your own teaching or adventures with tamariki. Just a quick reminder — you don’t need a forest programme to explore sticks. A simple walk around your local community or park can offer plenty of inspiration and opportunities for learning.

I’d love to see your ideas for how you use sticks in outdoor play — feel free to share! Helen Upson.