Find an activity
Back to ideas

Explore · Wild and Tumble activity

Bucket pulley

Up, up and away! Use a rope over a branch to lift a bucket of treasures.

  • 20 min total
  • Low mess
  • Ages 3–5*
  • Outdoors
  • Any season
Let's do this

*Illustrative age guidance. Your child's development and circumstances matter more than a number.

A tiny plan for your day

Estimated time: 5 min to set up · 13 min to play · 2 min to tidy. It's fine to stop early.

Before you start

What you’ll need

  • A small bucket with a handle
  • A rope
  • A low, sturdy branch

Let's begin

Five simple steps

That's the whole activity. Tick each step off as you go, and stop whenever you like.

  1. Grown-up job

    An adult throws the rope over a low branch and ties one end to the bucket.

  2. Little one leads

    Your child fills the bucket with treasures: pine cones, leaves, a teddy.

  3. Pull the other end of the rope. The bucket goes up!

  4. Let it down gently.

  5. Is it easier to lift a heavy bucket or a light one?

All done!

That's every step. However it went, you made a little moment together.

If you enjoyed this

More little ideas like this.

All activities