We have another great Preschool Craft for you, however even my 10yrs old still loves making these!
Today, we have FINALLY gotten round to a lovely autumn craft: making Stick Men. I have been wanting to make these with Red Ted for a while now and have sticks lying around all over the place! But I wasn’t quite sure how to tackle it. How would Red Ted aged 2.5yrs do it?
First to the book our story: STICK MAN
(Contains amazon affiliate links for your convenience!)
Stick Man, by Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler
We love Stick Man as it is a little bit different – Red Ted is just really starting to get into it (2.5yrs) and likes commiserating at the appropriate spots and shout “Oh no” when necessary. The story is about Stick Man, who of course, is not a stick (I’m Stick Man, I’m Stick Man, I’m Stick Man, that’s me..). But Stick Man gets in to trouble as person after animal after person mistakes him for a stick: using him to build a nest, for pooh sticks, as a bat etc. It looks as if Stick Man is about to meet a bitter end, when at the very last minute… well, you will have to read the story for yourself, but I will give you a hint: a big man in a big red suit and white beard appears and sees Stick Man for who he is!
We like it, as – the story is a bit longer, so a better “bedtime read”, it displays all the “innovative uses” for a stick (and not stick man!!!) and it is all done in a nice rhyme (which is very Julia Donaldson). Great!
Kid’ Get Crafty
I thought I was beginning to get a better feel for what Red Ted is and isn’t capable off. I was sure, he wouldn’t quite know what to do with “our stick”. But he proved me wrong (of course)! What I did do, to help him along, is make a small stick man the night before – which showed him what could be done (and which, when he saw it, made his face light up in the most adorable fashion).
Materials: Stick, PVC glue, Googly Eyes, Fabric scraps, scissors (though you could also paint yours. which would also be fabulous, I just don’t think Red Ted’s motor skills are there yet)
Red Ted loved gluing the eyes on. He did it all by himself. I was rather impressed. I then suggested “dressing” our Stick Men, so that they didn’t suffer the same fate as the original Stick Man and get mistaken for an ordinary stick. This was met with great enthusiame. And they got shirts, trousers and wraps (basically, glue on a square/ rectangular piece of fabric). Again, Red Ted did all the gluing. REAL team work! I have to say, I rather like the “undressed” men, but they both do it for me!
Done!
I confess to sneaking back and superglueing the eyes on overnight. The PVC glue does work, but superglue really makes it that much strong for “playing with”. Especially with a 10 month old around!
We also decided to draw a Stick Man picture, which was a great way for Red Ted to “follow” instructions and not “just” draw in circles and scribbles. He concentrated really hard to only do straight lines. Then we added googly eyes, a shirt and trousers. After that he remembered that I had promised him bankets for his dolls house. So, I cut him some rectangles out of The Englishman’s old shirt and our craft session was over. Still, the blankets kept him amused for ages.
Our Rogues Gallery:
Years and years later, when my daughter was 10yrs old, she made a complete set of Stickman Families.. it all started with sticks in the playground and she made a whole bunch of stickmen, stick people and stick babies for all of her friends. So cute! And love how an activity from years and years ago, still get her making!
Here are some Stickman Photos my readers sent me:
Oooh a reader and friend sent me this picture of her stick men! Hooray! I am sure that anthropologists would delight at these colourful men. I love the addition of pipecleaners, hats and hair!
And check out these giants sent to me via twitter @TinyTinRobot using wrapping paper & ribbons. Brilliant!
See more of our wonderful Autumn Crafts for Preschoolers here:
Maria - Förskoleburken says
The stick men are totally gorgeous!! And thanks for the opportunity to share!
maria says
oh Maggy they are so cute! we love the book too:)
Metajugglamum says
Absolutely FAB!! What a brilliant idea with the googly eyes! Will rush off to buy some of those later as we so need to do this!
Hope you don’t mind if I steal the idea as we have a basket full of sticks and cones that L collected just before it rained. Perfect!
MJM x
Red Ted Art says
@metlajugglamum of course of course, that is what Red Ted Art is for.. do send us a photo of the Stick Men’s distant relatives in Germany!!!!
@ Maria (Forskoleburken) – Thank you 🙂 especially since you also have some lovely stickmen on your blog!!! Scandinavian version! LOL and thank you for linking up
@ Maria (Fabmums)- it really is a fun book, no?!
cathy@nurturestore says
Ahh, so that’s why you were in search of googly eyes. Love the rogues gallery – looks like a Reservoir Dogs style film poster: Mr. Red, Mr. Pink and Mr. Blue Gingham!!
Red Ted Art says
Cathy – yes indeed! This is why I was after more googly eyes. I have learnt: you can never have too many googly eyes when toddlers are involved!! Thanks for linking up too!!
And Yes, Mr Gingham may be the smallest, but he is in charge!!!
Maggy x
KidsTravel2 says
my kids will love these – they love sticks and they love googly eyes so a craft activity involving both will send them into overdrive
Jude says
I’m sure my boys would love to try this – the only problem we always have with things that we make with googly eyes, is that as soon as they’ve finished making them and start playing with what they’ve made (and they always want to play with them) the eyes drop off – repeatedly! Maybe superglue is the answer!
Red Ted Art says
KidsTravel2 – Have fun! Craft overdrive is excellent (Red Ted just wanted to keep making more and more!)
Jude – totally agree – I superglue them secretly – so that they “did all the real creative stuff” and I just secured it place. Have only actually superglued one of them so far, but will prob have to do the others too.
Susan Mann says
What a great idea, my little one loves the Stickman book. I never thought to make his own stickman. Thank you x
Mirka Moore says
Hi, i have tried to link twice, but no success, have no idea why, but here is my link for this week http://wwwallbabyadvice.blogspot.com/2010/09/can-you-be-creative-with-conkers.html
Red Ted Art says
Hi Mirka, I think it is sorted now!! Yours is up!
Susan – Yay! Hurray! Have fun making your little man!!
Maggy
Megan Berry says
I’ve never come across that book. It looks like something my daughter (and I) would enjoy, though, so I’ll be sure to check for it at the library. Thanks for sharing the cute craft idea…I love googly eyes on anything!
angie says
love it was not aware this meme existed will join next week Please let me know if it is a weekly meme
Amy says
These are the cutest!! I am a teacher and want to try them with my students!
I am your newest follower from the bloghop- hope you will come visit!
http://apronsandart.blogspot.com
Blessings!
Janelle says
I’ve never heard of this book, either. But, we have plenty of sticks lying around just waiting for some clothes!
Debbie says
I love these stick men. I would never have thought of this. We have to give it a try.
B says
Cute craft! Thanks for the comment on my blog and for hosting a gret Linky! I’m so excited about it, I wanted to post a million links, but don’t want to be counted as spam! See you next week!
Annette W says
Superglue will definitely be needed the next time I use googley eyes…they always fall off! So sad.
The book and craft look great!
Cristie says
Now that’s using your imagination…Totally fun!
Holly says
I love your gallery. I’m always finding googly eyes on the floor; I need to put them to good use.
Becky says
These are so cute! Will have to remember these for another day, my girls would love them.
amandab says
What gorgrous stick men, and I am so glad he got the satisfaction of doing it himself, I know how proud it makes Princess when she does things on her own 🙂
Kathy says
the stick men and red ted are adorable!
Kathy
JDaniel4's Mom says
JDaniel would think this was so funny.
Doing the Mom Thing says
So crafty and adorable! My toddler is very interested in sticks right now, lol. I bet she would love this project. Thanks for sharing!
ingrid@morestylethancash says
I just came by from the Girl Creative.
Oh this made me laugh… and miss my son being little! Do you think that I could get a 6’4″ college student sit down with his mom and make a few of these?
Red Ted Art says
oooh hope all your toddlers enjoy this craft! Sounds like there is lots of potential for army of Stick Men to be made!
@ingrid: I would LOVE for a 6’4″ College Student to have a go… mmmh, not sure how likely thoug!!!!
Melissa Howard says
Those are adorable…very whimsical.
All Thingz Related says
What a great project! Thanks for stopping by and linking to Anything Related!
{Rebekah}
Audra says
Great projects!!! As always.
Kelly Be A Fun Mum says
I LOVE this SOOOO much! Like SOOO much! 😀 I know my kids will love this too.
Red Ted Art says
Kelly – Hooray! And theya re so easy to make too!
Audra, Melissa & All things related – glad you like them! They were fun and we still play with them!
MummyMummyMum says
They are fantastic! I love them. x
Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas says
Maggy – these are so cute & fun! 🙂 How creative
maryanne @ mama smiles says
LOVE the googly eyes on the stick people =)
Red Ted Art says
🙂 thanks for lovely comments and yes.. aren’t googly eyes simply fabulous?!
Living So Abundantly says
That is so neat! I normally have my class make nature dolls, using only things they find in nature; however, I like this idea better! The stick men are so cute!
mummiafelice says
Oh my gosh, these are fantastic!!! I love how you get inspiration for craft from books… brilliant!
Red Ted Art says
hehehe makes “Getting crafty” easier 😉 if no ideas… just look at a book!
Isil says
We love J.Donaldson but haven’t read this book yet. Must reserve a copy. Thank you so much for linking up to Book Sharing Monday!xxx
Artsy Craftsy Mom says
Love love Love the stick man idea.. Would be great to keep lil p busy outdoors!
Red Ted Art says
Thank you 🙂