INSPIRATIONS - Advanced Stick Activities

Advanced stick activities using tools, including whittling, drilling and making simple wooden items for older children in outdoor learning settings.

Introduction

Take stick exploration further with this collection of more advanced, tool-based activity ideas designed for older or more experienced learners. From whittling and drilling to crafting functional items like cooking sticks, broom sticks and simple whistles, these activities introduce practical bushcraft skills in a hands-on way.

Ideal for Forest School, outdoor education and home learning, it supports safe tool use, patience and precision while building confidence and independence. Learners can shape, split and work wood to create purposeful objects, linking creativity with real-world skills.

A valuable progression resource, encouraging responsible risk-taking and deeper engagement with natural materials in outdoor learning environments.

What you'll need

sticks!

This activity has been provided by

Useful items from our shop

Item available from our shop

Environmental Considerations

Consider the environmental impact of preparing, carrying out & completing this activity. Could this impact be reduced? Specific considerations for this activity could include:

collecting natural materials
use dead wood

Health & Safety Considerations

Follow your usual operating procedures and carry out appropriate risk benefit assessments.
Some considerations particular to this activity include:

discuss keeping sticks away from faces
if you are carrying a big stick keep one end in your hand/arm and the other down on the ground
or if you are carrying a big stick ask a friend to hold the other end – both ways avoid hitting someone else
tool use if whittling