Craft Corner: Making Bubble Wands with Elder Sticks

Summer is the perfect time for outdoor fun, and what better way to enjoy the sunshine than by making your own bubble wands with elder sticks? This simple yet enchanting craft is a delightful activity for children and parents alike, encouraging creativity and a deeper connection with nature.

Materials Needed:

• Elder sticks (easy to find in our beautiful Devon woodlands!)
• A small knife or peeler (adult supervision required) – optional
• Old tent peg
• Pipe cleaners
• Bubbles mixture

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Find the Perfect Stick: Head out to the woods and find a few elder sticks. Look for straight sticks with a diameter of about 1 cm. Elder is ideal because it’s easy to carve and has a soft pith in the centre.
2. Prepare the Stick: (optional) With adult supervision, use a knife or peeler to carefully strip the bark from the elder sticks. This makes them smooth and easier to handle. You can also carve fun designs or initials into the wood for a personal touch.
3. Make a hole: Elder sticks have a soft pith in the middle that can be easily removed. Use a thin stick or an old tent peg to create a hole for your pipe cleaner approximately 3 cm.
4. Make the Wand: Create any shape using your pipe cleaner, get creative! Once you have made your desired shape twist the ends and thread it through the hole in the elder stick.
5. Create Your Bubbles: Dip your pipe cleaner into the bubble mixture, lift it out, and gently blow or wave your wand through the air to create a stream of magical bubbles.

Why Elder Sticks? Elder trees are abundant in our local woodlands and have a rich history of being used in traditional crafts. By using elder sticks, children not only make a fun toy but also learn about local flora and sustainable crafting.

We hope you enjoy this lovely outdoor activity with your little ones! Share your bubble wand creations with us on Facebook and Instagram by tagging @ATouchOfTheWild. Let’s fill the summer sky with bubbles and joy! 🌳✨