Stick Man by Julia Donaldson is a much-loved story that offers a wealth of opportunities for EYFS learning. Through engaging Stickman activities for EYFS, children can develop creativity, language skills, fine motor coordination, and an understanding of the natural world.
Below are some educational and fun activities that can help bring the story to life while promoting key areas of learning and development.
Blossom’s Recommended Stickman Activities for Early Years:
Activity 1: Stick Man Story Time and Role Play
Start by reading Stick Man to the children, using different voices for the characters to make the story engaging. After reading, encourage the children to role play, taking on the roles of StickMan, his family, and other characters from the story.
Use props such as twigs, scarves, or simple costumes to make the activity more immersive. This helps children build their storytelling skills, improve language development, and gain confidence through acting.
EYFS Areas of Learning and Development and Learning Goals:
- Literacy (Word Reading, Comprehension)
- Communication and Language (Speaking)
- Expressive Arts and Design (Being Imaginative and Expressive)
Activity 2: Collect and Create: Stick Man Craft
Take the children on an outdoor nature walk to collect sticks of different sizes and shapes. Back in the classroom, provide glue, googly eyes, yarn, and paper to help children transform their collected sticks into their own “Stick Man.”
This craft develops fine motor skills and creativity, while also encouraging children to think about natural materials in their environment. You can also explore mathematics by way of discussing different size sticks for different members of the family.
EYFS Areas of Learning and Development and Learning Goals:
- Expressive Arts and Design (Creating with Materials)
- Physical Development (Fine Motor Skills)
- Understanding the World (The Natural World)
- Mathematics (Numerical Patterns)
Activity 3: Stick Man Counting Game
Incorporate maths into your Stick Man activities by using sticks collected from outdoors for a simple counting game. Children can count how many sticks they have collected, sort them by size or length, or use them for basic addition or subtraction exercises.
This hands-on activity helps children understand numbers, counting, and sorting while introducing early maths concepts.
EYFS Areas of Learning and Development and Learning Goals:
- Mathematics (Number, Numerical Patterns)
- Physical Development (Fine Motor Skills)
- Communication and Language (Speaking)
Activity 4: Stick Man Sensory Play
Create a sensory bin filled with natural elements such as sticks, leaves, and sand. Let children explore the different textures and use small Stick Man toys or figurines to retell the story as they play.
This sensory activity fosters exploration, imagination, and fine motor development while helping children engage with the natural materials that are central to the story.
EYFS Areas of Learning and Development and Learning Goals:
- Understanding the World (The Natural World)
- Physical Development (Fine Motor Skills)
- Communication and Language (Speaking)
Activity 5: Stick Man Obstacle Course
Set up an obstacle course in the garden or play area where children can “run” like Stick Man. Include activities such as climbing over logs, crawling under “branches,” and hopping between tree stumps.
This active play promotes gross motor skills, physical development, and teamwork, while adding an element of fun that ties back to Stick Man’s journey in the story. For example, blue scarves could be used for the children to lie down on or wave around to represent Stickman being washed down the river!
EYFS Areas of Learning and Development and Learning Goals:
- Physical Development (Gross Motor Skills)
- Personal, Social, and Emotional Development (Building Relationships)
- Communication and Language (Listening, Attention and Understanding)
Activity 6: Stick Man Puppet Show
Help children create simple Stick Man puppets using sticks, paper, and craft materials. Once the puppets are complete, children can use them to retell the story or create their own adventures for Stick Man.
This activity develops creativity, fine motor skills, and enhances language development as children engage in storytelling through puppetry.
EYFS Areas of Learning and Development and Learning Goals:
- Expressive Arts and Design (Being Imaginative and Expressive)
- Communication and Language (Speaking)
- Physical Development (Fine Motor Skills)
Activity 7: Stick Man-Themed Counting Rhymes
Teach children stick-themed counting rhymes, such as “Five Little Stick Men” or create your own rhyme based on the story.
This helps reinforce number skills, rhythm, and language, while making counting a fun and interactive experience.
EYFS Areas of Learning and Development and Learning Goals:
- Communication and Language (Listening, Attention and Understanding)
- Mathematics (Number, Numerical Patterns)
- Expressive Arts and Design (Being Imaginative and Expressive)
Incorporating Stickman activities for EYFS into your curriculum allows young children to explore creativity, maths, and storytelling through hands-on, engaging activities.
From nature walks and crafts to counting games and puppet shows, these activities provide a fun and educational way for children to develop key skills while engaging with the story of Stick Man.
