Open-ended play with sticks, stones and other natural elements.

Natural Elements are so easy to incorporate into daily play. They’re all around us; shells, stones, sticks, chestnuts, pinecones… They’re a staple in our backyard, and I love how they provide the children with open-ended and unlimited play possibilities.

Here are a few shots of the hooligans “playing with sticks and stones”:

boards in the sandbox become ramps, benches, stove-tops and work benches

Fill a box of chocolates with stones for imaginary play and sorting

Because there isn’t a defined purpose like there is with is with a factory-made toy, kids are more creative, inventive and industrious when playing with bits and pieces of nature.

We’ve always embraced simple play here. I’m of the opinion that children learn best through play, and what better way to give them that opportunity than by allowing them to explore and experiment with items that surround them in their natural world.

mud becomes “mortar” in a brick laying activity

I made my own, my friend Joanne, at Ordinary Normal makes and sells these

little ones can learn to spell, or grab a piece of chalk and play hangman in the drive-way

beach rock tic-tc-toe

flowers, rose-hips, sticks and pinecones for a soup kitchen

Sticks and stones may break my bones, but they’re a whole lot of fun to play with!

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