Sticks, Stones & Pine Cones: Games to Play in Nature

This portable, charmingly illustrated book features 37 board and other games that are easy to set up and require only the materials you can sustainably forage around you, such as pinecones, pebbles, sand, leaves, and twigs.

The featured games are grouped into single-player, two-player, and multiple-player options, with a focus on setups similar to the ever-popular board games people enjoy playing at home. From Nine Men’s Morris to Stick Solitaire to Neanderthal Poetry, every game has been vetted by the author and her family and friends in outdoor settings.

Author Jen Ball is lead faculty for the Sustainability Stream, a program that guides students into green sector careers, at Canada’s Humber College. Ball has also been a producer for CBC Radio One, coordinator for the Montreal Fringe Festival, and administrator for the Caravan Tall Ship Theatre Company. A member of our partners at the Council of Outdoor Educators of Ontario, Ball roams the outdoors often with friends and family.

“Sticks, Stones, and Pinecones is ideal for outdoor educators who want to create quieter moments of connection and fun for their students. These games require zero materials besides the items that nature provides, and this book reminds us to use these items with care and respect.” – Ellen Field, Faculty of Education, Lakehead University

“There are so many aspects of this handy, pocket-sized resource that I love! Sticks, Stones & Pine Cones: 

• is a natural springboard for co-learning with the children; for example, collecting pinecones of different shapes and sizes can lead to curious questions about the trees themselves. Why are some smaller than others? Why does a tree produce pinecones at all? What other life relies on these pinecones?
• invites me to be creative with the kids in new and fun ways. Whether we’re gathering game pieces, playing or just tailoring the game to suit our environment, we’re adding our own flourish in that co-creation.
• is so accessible and comprehensive! It includes options for everyone and for playing anywhere, indoors or out. There are solitary games for those wanting some chill time on their own, as well as multiplayer games, stationary games, and riddles for those times when we’re on the move. The thoughtful illustrations appeal to all age groups.

All in all, this trusty book is a must-have for all those wanting to engage, delight in and deepen their relationship with the natural world. I cannot recommend it more highly!” – Fran Rubio, Forest and Nature School Educator in training

“This book is a revelation of games that connect players to the world around them, uses found objects, plays with math, literacy and all around thinking concepts in a way that was super engaging for the students I worked with K – 7!” – Outdoor Educator

“A great book packed with activities to reach any learner. These games have a high ceiling and low floor approach with so many options for differentiation. I could see these activities being used as a filler, or more specifically for math and literacy options. Absolutely love the no-prep use of natural objects, which connects the learner to their outdoor spaces.” – Elementary Teacher