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An Invitation to Build Big

July 18, 2016 by Sarah 8 Comments

We have some absolutely lovely neighbours. Neighbours who were thrilled at the chance to swap firewood from their woods for (loads of) eggs from our lovely ladies. Goodness, is there anything my chickens can’t do? They can even keep us warm all winter long.

That great big load of wood, ready to be chopped, had been sitting in a heap for about 2 months. We are outside all the time, and I would often glance at it remembering all the chopping that still needs to get done.

Perhaps that is why I never saw that pile for exactly what it could be — incredibly big and heavy blocks for my little ones to create with, balance on, roll about, and tons of other such tom-foolery!

(Tom-foolery? Not sure where that one came from. We’ve been watching Downton Abbey lately, so I assume that’s the culprit. I also assume I will be throwing in the word cheeky quite often. That is one good descriptive word.)

Anyways, just the other day we had this great idea to bring out some 2×4’s to add to the big logs. The boys thought they might make balance beams.

We used these incredibly awesome 2x4s that have notches in them so they fit together like Lincoln Logs, except they are humongous. They have proven to be the best toy we own in fact, and best of all here is a DIY post on them just for you:

Wooden DIY Building Blocks

So armed with 2x4s and oodles of big log pieces, the building began.

This is a great invitation to build using wood. Great heavy lifting and gross motor development too! Perfect STEM activity

At first it was a balance beam. And then it was a very, very long balance beam.

This is a great invitation to build using wood. Great heavy lifting and gross motor development too! Perfect STEM activity

And then it was the longest balance beam possible.

A simple invitation to build big and create with wood. Balance beams, boats - you name it. Great for heavy work and gross motor development, plus just plain old outdoor fun!

After a little while, it became a boat. All that building and heavy work made my little monkeys very calm and ready for some good imaginative play with their boat. A very welcome change, as these cheeky children of mine have not been playing so well together likely.

A simple invitation to build big and create with wood. Balance beams, boats - you name it. Great for heavy work and gross motor development, plus just plain old outdoor fun!

Those lovely chickens. Turns out they provide us with eggs, firewood, and a few blissful minutes of sibling bonding and peace.

I do love those chickens.

A simple invitation to build big and create with wood. Balance beams, boats - you name it. Great for heavy work and gross motor development, plus just plain old outdoor fun!

I hope you have a lovely start to your week friends, thank you so much for reading.

 

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Filed Under: Activities for Big Kids, All Ages, Explore, Get Outside, Learn, Outside Play, Preschooler, Preschoolers Tagged With: invitations, play, STEM

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Comments

  1. Elaine says

    July 18, 2016 at 6:38 am

    maybe add some guttering and tennis balls and make a giant marble run using these logs? Thanks for this idea!

    Reply
    • Sarah says

      July 19, 2016 at 8:57 pm

      Oh I love this idea Elaine – thank you! We could even add in some water and boats if we had the guttering … Oh the possibilities with this one. Thanks for taking the time to comment and share your ideas – and my boys thank you too!

      Reply
  2. Jill Bryniarski says

    July 8, 2017 at 7:14 pm

    Hello Elaine,
    are you burying these stumps? I have MANY stumps right now and would love, love, love to do this in our backyard. my husband looked at your post and insists the stumps HAVE to be buried.Thanks for all of your assistance!
    Jill

    Reply
    • Sarah says

      July 17, 2017 at 10:16 pm

      Hi Jill, I did not bury the stumps. I just made sure they sat rather level. Have fun!

      Reply
  3. Tanya McLeod says

    December 2, 2021 at 11:50 pm

    How do attach 2×4’s to stumps

    Reply
    • Sarah says

      December 6, 2021 at 1:12 pm

      Hi Tanya – great question. They are not attached, but loose and moveable. As long as the stumps sit flat, the wood sits nicely and securely on top.

      Reply
  4. Zareen says

    April 7, 2022 at 2:13 pm

    Love this idea! Just wondering how long are the 2x4s? Thanks!

    Reply
    • Sarah says

      April 17, 2022 at 8:33 pm

      Thank you Zareen! Any size will work. These ones were about 6 feet long. I hope your little ones love it as much as mine!

      Reply

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