Instead of screens today, why not… play pooh sticks?
‘Pooh sticks’ is the game that Winnie the Pooh invented in AA Milne’s The House at Pooh Corner. As is fitting for our beloved Pooh, it’s a simple game with very few rules, best played with friends.
The real beauty of pooh sticks is finding a suitable place to play it. You need a bridge over running water (preferably not nearly as ‘running’ as the water in these photos – the boys were really kept on their toes!). The great things is that a bridge over running water is invariably set somewhere that feels like a beautiful escape from the world. Be sure to leave plenty of time to explore after playing.
How to play
Find each player a stick, any old stick will do but the bigger the stick, the easier it will be to see it in the water below.
Line up along a bridge on the upstream side of the water (make sure it is not a busy bridge; a bridge over a creek in a playground is ideal, but you will know the right bridge when you see it).
Have someone shout ‘go’ or ‘pooh sticks’ if you are really into it.
Drop your sticks into the water at the same time then race to the other side of the bridge (see above: “make sure it is not a busy bridge”).
Whoever’s stick emerges on the other side of the bridge first is the winner. Be sure to really get to know your stick before you let it go.
Find another stick and have another go.
Variations
- If you can’t find a bridge, no matter. You can play pooh sticks from the bank, racing your sticks to a set point like a branch or rock.
- You can play pooh sticks in the gutter after a downpour.
- Attach a leaf sail to your stick to have a sailing race. Does the leaf help your stick move faster?
- Make a lot of sticks into a raft and float favourite toys along the gutter (but not down the river!)
- Decorate your stick with found materials or try some basic carving.
- If your creek or gutter is not too deep, try making an obstacle course for your stick by heaping stones to form a path.
- While you’re down at the river or creek, don’t forget to skip some stones to count the skips or just throw stones in and count the ripples.
- You could also have some fun building a dam out of natural materials. Don’t forget to collapse the dam after you’ve had your fun.
- We absolutely loved heading out to the creek in the wet, just be careful of leeches. Take the salt!
When did you last visit your local creek or river? Do you have one?
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Mardi says
Pooh sticks is such a funny name when you don’t know the origin! Anyway…this is such a fun, simple outdoorsy game for any age. I have played this game with many variations over the years, not realising that it wasn’t my invention. The game is also taled about. in the beautiful book by Julia Donaldson (author of The Gruffalo) called Stick Man. Another lovely idea Bron.
Maxabella says
I am so reading that Stick Man, Mardi! I think kids all over the world have played ‘pooh sticks’ for generations. x
Bele @ BlahBlah says
I LOVE this. My boys would LOVE this x
Maxabella says
We just love games down by the creek, Bele. There is the perfect creek and bridge to play this game at Muston Park in Willoughby (just a hop over the bridge for you). The bridge runs over Scotts Creek and the kids can go down to the creek to watch their sticks. It’s really awesome there in general… x
Liz @ I Spy Plum Pie says
Ah! This brings back such good memories! We used to go for walks along the creek where I grew up and play Pooh Sticks all the time! Whoever came last would get all sad like Eeyore (who was always my favourite character anyway!) xx
Maxabella says
Aw, that’s such a cute variation, Liz. Little kids would love to pretend to be Eeyore. x
Sam Stone says
Lovely idea…this game makes an appearance in Stick Man by Julia Donaldson too, it makes me chuckle every time we read it.
Maxabella says
I’m getting that book! I think I’m the only Aussie mum who has never read it… how did that happen!? x
Jessie Reid says
pooh sticks is as close to playing a sport as you will find our family doing!
Maxabella says
And what a good ‘sport’ it is too, Jessie. x
Tash @ Gift Grapevine says
I’ve always wondered about “pooh sticks” as it is mentioned as a game in one of our favourite kids books “Stick Man”! The tornadoes think it’s hilarious of course because it is called “pooh” (they are easily amused by bodily functions and fluids at this age – urgh!). We have a stream near us and love to race leaves and sticks. It’s always so great to get outside – we all love it xx
Maxabella says
I must confess that ‘pooh’ makes me chuckle a bit too, Tash. Pooh. x
Sonia Life Love Hiccups says
This is seriously such a cute idea xx
Maxabella says
The boys would love it in the lagoons near your place, Son! x
Jo @Countrylifeexperiment says
We play pooh sticks in the creek behind our house quite often. The Country Boy built a bridge across it, to save us having to walk all the way down to the causeway to cross over (or fish out wet kids who try to jump but miss). Not a weekend goes past without our kids playing down by the creek.
Maxabella says
That Country Boy of yours is such a keeper. I love that he just whipped up a bridge to save you the walk. Ah, that’s good stuff. Our kids are in the creek down the road really often too. It’s just a small creek, our local, but it’s full of interesting things to do. There are tadpoles in there at the moment, which is all kinds of exciting! x
Tash says
Oh we love playing pooh sticks! Love all the variations! X
Maxabella says
Are you lucky enough to have a creek nearby, Tash? x
Kate says
I love pooh sticks! I spent many a while hanging over a bridge
Lisa says
Off to find a creek, sticks and a bridge with the boys. Love the simplicity of these games Bron xx