How to Make Walking Sticks for Kids
Hiking is easier with a walking stick. According to "Boy's Life Magazine," a walking stick keeps your balance while hiking, and you can cover more ground with its help. Make a walking stick for kids by first taking a nature walk on a hiking trail or at the park. Look for a branch that is about the same height as your child. A fallen branch that is straight and thin enough for your child to hold would be ideal. The craft is simple, but most children need some adult guidance.
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Things You'll Need
- 4-foot tall tree branch
- Small saw
- Pocketknife
- Sandpaper
- Old T-shirt
- Scissors
- Tempura paint
- Paintbrush
- Clear acrylic spray-paint
Instructions
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Saw off any branches or stems from your found stick with a small saw. Children should have adult supervision if sawing themselves. Saw off an inch from both ends of the stick.
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2
Remove the bark from your tree branch with a sharp pocketknife. Young children should not handle the knife. Be sure to carve away from your body. Sand the entire branch to make it smooth.
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3
Cut 1-inch strips from an old T-shirt with scissors. Tie them together to form a long strand about 3 feet long.
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4
Wrap the old T-shirt fabric strand around the top six inches of your stick. Secure it by tying the looped end to the last few wraps.
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5
Paint the middle areas of your walking stick with tempura paint and a paintbrush. After the decoration is dry, spray it with a clear acrylic polyurethane or varnish to protect the paint. Allow it to dry completely before using.
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Tips & Warnings
Whittle the end of your walking stick, so it fits into a 0.75-inch diameter copper water pipe. Secure it with glue and it will protect the bottom of your stick.
Older children can carve out a face or animal head at the top of the stick.
Thread beads onto the T-shirt grip for additional decoration.
Young children should not handle sharp tools.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Photodisc/Photodisc/Getty Images
