Kids Crafts: Stick Man
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
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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:
