Kids love sticks and often need some form of entertaining on a family walk so why not combine the two! Today I’m going to tell you how to make a journey stick on your next family walk. Find loads more fun things to do with sticks here.

Two photos of journey sticks and text that reads creating a journey stick

Ad – This post contains affiliate links. These are marked with *. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you purchase through the links I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Journey sticks are a really fun nature craft that you can do with your child on your next nature walk. They’re really easy and fun to create, in any season and on any nature walk. You only need a few basic supplies that you could keep in your kid’s adventure backpack.

Making a journey stick is one of our favourite things to do on a walk with kids.

What is a journey stick?

A journey stick is a record of your nature walk. It’s a really simple way of getting your child to notice the natural loose parts around you and keep them busy on a walk. A busy child on a walk is far less likely to complain that they’re bored!

You can make a journey stick on lots of walks and each time they will be different depending on what your child finds and decides to attach to their stick.

Leaves are fantastic things to attach to journey sticks all year round but especially in autumn and winter. In spring and summer, your child’s journey stick may be more colourful if they can find a few colourful flowers.

Making a journey stick is one of many fun forest school activities you can do with your family.

How to make a journey stick

Making a journey stick is very simple if you have a few simple tools with you. We keep ours in my kid’s adventure backpack so they are always ready when the inspiration takes us (or we need a quick distraction for a bored child).

You will need:

A stick
child safe scissors
double side sticky tape or
string

That’s it, other than natural loose parts that your child needs to find on your nature walk. Think leaves, flowers, Feathers and driftwood.

How to make a journey stick, step by step

Journey sticks can be made by children of all ages. Older children can use the string method (as can younger children with some help). The sticky tape method is so simple, even a toddler or preschooler can make their own with very little help (once you have attached the tape and removed the backing for them).

How to make a journey stick

Prep Time: 2 minutes

Active Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 22 minutes

How to make a simple journey stick on your next nature walk.

Materials

String
Stick

Tools

Child-safe scissors

Instructions

Choose a stick. You need one that is about 20-30 cm long with no side branches. Look for one that isn't too wet.
Cut a lengthen of string and tie it to the top of your stick if using string.
Take your journey stick on your walk. As you walk ask your child to look for fallen leaves, flowers and feathers to attach to their stick.
To attach with string, place the leaf or similar against the stick and then wrap the string around it several times. Then tie a knot in the string before repeating the process with the next item.

How to make a journey stick with sticky tape

For younger children, the sticky tape method is so much easier and allows them to create a journey stick independently. It’s one of many great outdoor activities for toddlers that you can find here.

roll of sticky tape and a stick on a log

All you need is a stick and some double-sided sticky tape. Simply wrap some strips of double-sided tape around your stick at intervals down the length of the stick (leaving room at the bottom for your child to hold the stick).