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Move and play · Wild and Tumble activity

Pooh sticks race

Drop, dash, look! Whose stick will win the race under the bridge?

  • 15 min total
  • Low mess
  • Ages 2–5*
  • 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: 3 min to find sticks · 10 min to play · 2 min to head home. It's fine to stop early.

Before you start

What you’ll need

  • A footbridge with railings over gently running water
  • A short stick each, all different so you can tell them apart

Let's begin

Four simple steps

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

  1. Choose a stick each and spot what makes yours special.

  2. Stand on the upstream side, where the water is coming towards you.

  3. Drop the sticks at the same time. Don't throw!

  4. Together

    Hurry to the other side together and see whose stick pops out first.

All done!

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

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