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Explore · Wild and Tumble activity

Tree stump birthdays

How old was this tree? Count the rings on a tree stump to guess its birthday.

  • 10 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: 2 min to find a stump · 7 min to count · 1 min to head off. It's fine to stop early.

Before you start

What you’ll need

  • A smooth tree stump or cut log
  • A finger for tracing

Let's begin

Five simple steps

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

  1. Find a stump with clear rings.

  2. Start in the middle and trace round the first ring.

  3. Count each ring as you go out to the edge. Each ring is one year!

  4. Is the tree older than you? Older than your grown-up?

  5. Look for wide rings (good years) and thin rings (hard years).

All done!

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

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