lgliser Posted November 24, 2016 Share Posted November 24, 2016 My kids put "sticks and bricks" on their Christmas list! We were talking about how they don't really play with toys much anymore, but they love playing outside with the neighbors. The other day they found some sticks and were making a big nest. They brought out some old sheets to make it "cozy." It was really cute.... it was fun to see them use their imaginations. We have friends who live with a woodsy area in their backyard (so fun)! We don't have a single tree (so I'm sure the neighbors brought the sticks). Anyway, I am trying to think of some things that we could have in the backyard that they could play or build with. I'm not sure how practical actual bricks are. We do have some sets of Crazy Forts https://www.amazon.com/Crazy-Forts-Purple-69-pieces/dp/B001DNHYC0/ref=sr_1_2?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1479964182&sr=1-2&keywords=crazy+forts They've never brought them outside but I think it could be fun. What else? Any ideas? By the way, my kids are 10 years old. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted November 24, 2016 Share Posted November 24, 2016 We got pvc pipes of varying lengths and dozens of different connectors. My kids loved to make structures with them. They then would throw blankets over them for roofs. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lgliser Posted November 24, 2016 Author Share Posted November 24, 2016 We got pvc pipes of varying lengths and dozens of different connectors. My kids loved to make structures with them. They then would throw blankets over them for roofs. That's a great idea! What kinds of connectors? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 24, 2016 Share Posted November 24, 2016 The PVC is a great idea! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nevergiveup Posted November 24, 2016 Share Posted November 24, 2016 Straw bales. Large refrigerator boxes--you can throw a tarp over them. Pallets are free at a lot of places. Go to a lumber yard and see if they have free wood scraps. Craigslist for free building materials. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandragood1 Posted November 24, 2016 Share Posted November 24, 2016 Corrugated plastic sheets. Like heavy cardboard boxes but plastic. You can buy them from sign making places. I took the huge election signs the day after the election 8 years ago and got them for free. They are very versatile, waterproof, and last quite a long time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bibiche Posted November 24, 2016 Share Posted November 24, 2016 I would give them bamboo sticks and some lengths of rope or leather to tie them together. If you are a little kid being an adventurer, you probably want something a little closer to nature (and better for the environment!) than PVC and connectors. I'd probably add some cloth and a pocket-knife. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted November 24, 2016 Share Posted November 24, 2016 That's a great idea! What kinds of connectors?They are pvc and kept by the pipes in the hardware store. We got straight ones and corners and 3 way corners and maybe others that looked interesting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScoutTN Posted November 24, 2016 Share Posted November 24, 2016 We have used pvc too. And cheap tarps for the roof, with bungee cords for fasteners. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lgliser Posted November 26, 2016 Author Share Posted November 26, 2016 Thanks, everyone. What great ideas! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jyhwkmama Posted November 26, 2016 Share Posted November 26, 2016 As stated above, PVC is really the answer. Lots of ideas with google and pinterest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justasque Posted November 26, 2016 Share Posted November 26, 2016 We have some QUADRO sets - pvc pipes, connectors, wheels, flat plates, and a book with design ideas. It builds things like a play house, a jungle gym, an airplane, etc. Very cool for backyard or basement play. (And I'm interested in passing ours on; PM me if interested; I am east coast.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Upward Journey Posted November 26, 2016 Share Posted November 26, 2016 (edited) We used to keep a stack of wooden pallets and straw bales, some long PVC pipes and a couple of smaller tarps in the back yard. I also had clothespins and twine available to them. My yard was always a mess, but my kids were happy :) ETA: Oh, yup, bungees as well. Edited November 26, 2016 by Upward Journey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mellifera33 Posted November 26, 2016 Share Posted November 26, 2016 A local park has a set of life-size "Lincoln logs"--5ish inch diameter logs in about four foot lengths, with notches cut at both ends. It's probably horribly unsafe and a lawsuit waiting to happen, but my kids sure have fun building little cabins for themselves. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janeway Posted November 26, 2016 Share Posted November 26, 2016 My kids put "sticks and bricks" on their Christmas list! We were talking about how they don't really play with toys much anymore, but they love playing outside with the neighbors. The other day they found some sticks and were making a big nest. They brought out some old sheets to make it "cozy." It was really cute.... it was fun to see them use their imaginations. We have friends who live with a woodsy area in their backyard (so fun)! We don't have a single tree (so I'm sure the neighbors brought the sticks). Anyway, I am trying to think of some things that we could have in the backyard that they could play or build with. I'm not sure how practical actual bricks are. We do have some sets of Crazy Forts https://www.amazon.com/Crazy-Forts-Purple-69-pieces/dp/B001DNHYC0/ref=sr_1_2?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1479964182&sr=1-2&keywords=crazy+forts They've never brought them outside but I think it could be fun. What else? Any ideas? By the way, my kids are 10 years old. Maybe a real tent...but small, like a pup tent? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bookbard Posted November 26, 2016 Share Posted November 26, 2016 I think provide a real variety of materials, no instructions, and just let them go for it. I agree look for bamboo, real branches from trees, planks, along side some pvc piping, some tarpaulins and so forth. If you could get just a few bricks or similar (not enough to build a dangerous wall) they could make a walkway or stepping stones. And rope or twine. If you are happy, give them some tools too, like saws, hand-drills, so on. Don't give them some sort of boring set which has instructions. Give them messiness and freedom! Can you imagine waking up to all that? It would be fantastic! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momto3innc Posted November 27, 2016 Share Posted November 27, 2016 Have you heard of stick-let's? Let's you easily turn sticks into a teepee or fort. Plastic connector things https://stick-lets.com/ You could get these, fill a box with sticks, material to go over the top and have a fun fort kit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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