How To Make A Stick Picture Frame

On a recent trip to one of Britain's finest arboretums, I took our trusty craft bag with us for when I would be presented with the obligatory sticks. The place was full of wonderful vistas and so I suggested to The Boy that he collect me four sticks of equal length and a variety of interesting treasure to decorate our finished product.

How To Make A Picture Frame

You'll need:

  • 4 sticks of equal length, or 2 pairs of sticks of equal length
  • natural string
  • collection of leaves, conkers and pine cones to decorate the frame
  • Swiss army knife

Encourage children to only choose twigs and natural 'treasures' found on the floor, creating a respect for the natural world.

  1. Lay the four sticks for the frame on top of each other to create a square. Carefully wind a length of string around each of the joins, overlapping and winding from one corner to the other. This will hold them in place.
  2. Complete for each corner, winding any extra string along the sides which will help create somewhere to secure the 'treasures'.
  3. Tie a selection of pine cones to the frame and thread leaves and flowers through the string.
  4. To attach conkers, I pierced a hole through the fruit to thread jewellery wire through and wind it onto the frame.
  5. Tie some string from two corners to create a loop to hang it from a tree in your garden at home!

How To Make A Stick Picture Frame

  • This activity is great for:
    • fine motor skills and hand-eye co-ordination; winding the string around the sticks.
    • design skills; how can we join the sticks together? Can we find items to make it look attractive?
    • communication; questioning and discussion.
    • self-esteem; achievement!
    • having FUN!

'Create some wild art' is #18 on the National Trust's list of 50 Things To Do Before You're 11&¾



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Comments

  1. says

    What a great idea, just brilliant. POD is younger than The Boy but she'd love to make these. Are you running a 50 things linky? We're in Surrey and joined the NT recently, love their properties 🙂

  2. says

    Love the frame! We collected a lot of jasper rocks on our recent diamond hunting trip. I am planning on having my son use them to decorate a picture frame. We may use your idea instead of buying a frame at a craft store. Thanks for sharing.

  3. says

    it does make me smile to see you with your magic craft bag, but it is such a good idea and very handy to ahvr when out and about.
    the frame looks fantastic – so neat and tidy. Mine would not be so neat lol x

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