These cost nothing and take about five minutes to make from the recycling. A cardboard tube, a few lengths of ribbon, and you have a stick that trails color through the air every time it moves. They are made for a windy day in the garden, where the ribbons catch the breeze and a small child can shake, wave, and run with them until they wear themselves out. Ages 1.5 to 3.
Making the sticks
Take a sturdy cardboard tube, the kind left over from a roll of plastic wrap or paper towels. Cut two or three small slits or holes around the top end. Thread a long length of ribbon through each one and tie a firm knot on the inside so it cannot pull free. That is the whole build.
It is worth making a couple of different versions, because they move in different ways. A stick with one or two wide ribbons gives long, slow, looping trails.
A stick threaded with several lengths of thin curling ribbon does the opposite, fanning out into a flurry of separate streamers that flick and shimmer with the smallest movement. Leftover gift-wrap ribbon is ideal for this one.
Taking them outside
A breezy day is what makes these come alive. The first thing a child usually does is give the stick a tentative shake, watch the ribbons lift, and then realize they can make them do bigger things. Running is what really sets them off, with the ribbons streaming out behind in a long trailing line. There is plenty of gross motor work in all that waving and chasing, and a clear bit of cause and effect: move the stick faster, the ribbons do more.
Do not be surprised if it takes a while to get going. On the first outing the garden itself was the bigger attraction, and the sticks sat ignored for a stretch before they were picked up. Once they were, both ended up in use at once, one in each hand. Bare feet or grippy shoes are better than boots here, so the running is not held back.
For another simple activity for the same age, our color surprise playdough keeps small hands busy on a quieter day. And for a sit-down option once everyone comes back in, our free summer coloring pages carry the warm-weather theme onto paper.