My Grandma Van was the person who cultivated the love of nature in me.

I didn’t fully realize it until a few years ago.

She used to decorate her apartment with little bits of nature. Pussy willow branches in a vase, funny-shaped wood chips in a glass bowl, and pretty red leaves spread on the coffee table.

I find myself doing the same now. I’ve got painted sticks hanging from my walls and hawk feathers sticking out from behind my mirrors.

We used to go out on walks every time we visited Grandma Van, and her favorites were woodland walks. So are mine.

Whenever we went walking, grandma always had a walking stick in her hand.

She scouted for the best stick and usually found one within minutes of entering the trails.

As kids, we always did the same.

And I still find myself doing that…

And my kids are doing it now too.

I guess the walking stick has become one of my grandma’s legacies;)

It’s a fun little treasure hunt with the kids every time we go hiking. Our eyes are peeled for the tallest, sturdiest, straightest hiking sticks.

We use them for support.

We use them for swords.

We use them as balancing sticks when crossing fallen logs.

We use them for hacking through tall overgrowth.

We use two at a time for pretend crutches.

 

 

 

 

{Seriously, I didn’t have to look far for pictures of all of us with walking sticks}

 

Oh, the things a walking stick can be used for…

 

Even in the not-pretend-world, the walking stick is a great source of support, a post to lean on, a feeler that “walks” ahead of us, a ruler that measures the depth of puddles, an anchor that propels us forward.

A tactile portal for the wilderness.

The walking stick is a sensory tool that can enhance your forest bathing experience.

 

So, that’s why I decided to write a whole post about it.

Especially since the kids and I decorated a few of our favorite finds, and thought this would be fun to share with everyone!

 

We brought home a few of our favorite walking sticks from this summer and decorated them. If you want to play along too, bring home your favorite sturdy walking stick from your next hike. Then, gather up some decorative items you have lying around at home. Or take a quick trip to Hobby Lobby to scout a few items. I’m pretty sure that’s where I got the feather garland.

 

 

Walking stick decorations

Here’s what we had at home:

• My sister’s wood-burning tool
• Metallic Sharpie markers
• Washi tape
• Feather garland
• Beads
• Leather cording
• Acrylic paints
• Dremel

 

 

Then, we just had fun with it and decorated the sticks however we felt like. Here’s a reference with some of my ideas:

 

{Don’t forget to Pin Me!}

 

Walking Stick Decoration Ideas

First, I made some patterns in my stick with my sister’s wood-burning tool. I filled in a few lines with the metal Sharpie markers (very hard to see). You could always skip the wood-burning tool and draw patterns with the Sharpie for a similar effect.

Then, I used this knot tutorial to tie an English whipping knot with my leather cord (something tells me this knotting technique will come in handy in more ways). I strung a few beads on the cord ends and just tied the two ends together to create a strap.

Next, I made another English whipping knot with the leather cord over the top of the feather garland to secure it in place.

The kiddos had fun with the washi tape and markers to decorate their sticks.

 

It turned out to be a fun little nature project for the kids and I to do together.

 

 

I also think it would be really fun to attach a compass to the top of the walking stick as a source of direction for your adventures.

 

Next time you’re in the forest, I hope you’ll keep your eyes out for a good walking stick.

Use one. See how it changes your walk. See how it helps you “feel” the forest, giving your hands a tactile experience when they normally wouldn’t be touching anything else.

A little gift from the forest.

 

I’d love to see your walking sticks, decorated or no, over in our Facebook group. Share a picture and a snippet about your experience.