Pick-up sticks
A simple, timeless game that sharpens fine motor skills and concentration for kids and brings a wave of nostalgia for grownups.
There’s something wonderfully grounding about a game that asks everyone, big and small, to slow down and steady their hands. Pick Up Sticks is a childhood classic for a reason - it’s easy to learn, calming to play, and surprisingly addictive.
Just drop a bundle of sticks (or pencils) into a colourful, tangled pile and take turns picking up one stick at a time without moving any others.
Kids practise fine motor control, patience, visual focus, and strategic thinking. Grownups get a moment of mindfulness disguised as play - plus a sweet hit of nostalgia from a game many of us haven’t touched since childhood!
It’s perfect for after-school downtime, a post-dinner wind-down, or a cosy afternoon activity for the whole family.
Materials
Prep
Step 1:
Gather your sticks of choice into a bundle.
Step 2:
Hold them upright with one hand.
Step 3:
Let them drop randomly into a pile on the table or floor.
Play
Step 1:
Take turns picking up one stick at a time without moving any others.
Step 2:
If you move another stick, your turn ends.
Step 3:
Keep playing until the pile is gone.
Step 4:
Count sticks - the person with the most wins!
Extend
Colour challenge: Try pick up sticks of a certain colour only
Non-dominant hand: Up the challenge by using your other hand to pick the sticks up
Story Pick: Each stick colour prompts a question (e.g., “yellow = something fun you did today”).
