Find an activity
Back to ideas

Move and play · Wild and Tumble activity

Pick-up sticks

Steady hands, don't wobble! The classic game, played with sticks from the garden.

  • 10 min total
  • Low mess
  • Ages 4–5*
  • Indoors or out
  • 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: 2 min to gather · 7 min to play · 1 min to tidy. It's fine to stop early.

Before you start

What you’ll need

  • About 15 thin sticks, roughly the same length

Let's begin

Five simple steps

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

  1. Hold the sticks in a bundle, then let them fall into a pile.

  2. Together

    Take turns lifting one stick off the pile.

  3. If any other stick moves, your turn is over.

  4. Keep the sticks you collect.

  5. Who has the most at the end?

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