A Box of Craft Sticks

We recently picked up a box of 1,000 craft sticks (or popsicle sticks, to some) at a major craft store chain. They were priced at $5.99 & we had a 40% off coupon to burn.... so I tossed them into the cart with the thought that open-ended play/creativity is my favorite kind of things for the kids to do and they rarely use things for it's intended purpose anyhow!

Let me tell you,  I gave the Herdlings this box of sticks, tacky glue, collage materials & washable tempera paints & it has kept them busy for hours!

We made hanging picture frames & garden stakes

 The learning aspect: Planning, measuring, symmetry, sequence

We made treasure keepers (boxes with lids)

 

The learning aspect: Planning, measuring, symmetry, height, volume, following directions/sequence

And we have made plenty of abstract sculptures.

 The learning aspect: vocabulary, art, following their own creative thoughts.

This has proven to be one of the most favored activities among all of my kids!

Who would have thought?!