Whittling a Vegetable marker
It’s frustrating when you’ve planted something but not sure where it was – in the video Freya shows us how to make an attractive vegetable marker from a twig. It’s a fun activity a primary school aged child can do with you in the garden, learning about wood and how to use a knife.
Whittling is an ancient craft – you will find many books and resources online to show you how to carve and whittle more complex things, but as an introduction to whittling, a vegetable marker is perfect.
Using a knife has risks; but there are huge benefits to children learning to use knives. It can improve hand control, building hand and arm strength and fine motor skills. It might encourage children to try other making activities, in the kitchen or outdoors. If taught with care and patience children can become very capable and skilled. Children can make a real contribution to their family and community.
Most important for me is that it’s an activity I can do with my children that we all enjoy.
What you will need
- A sharp knife (ideally not a pocket knife which could close in use and cut your hand)
- Wood/ twigs (Lime, Elder, Hazel, Willow are good soft woods to use)
What might be helpful
- A Saw (junior hacksaw is adequate and relatively easy to use)
- Safety glove or thumb guard
- Knife sharpener/ Grit Whetstone
- A first aid kit
- Felt tip pens
Top safety tips
- Remember the ‘blood bubble’ – keep an arm’s length away from a knife
- Look to where the knife might slip – keep thumbs, fingers and limbs safe!
- Your child may cut themselves as they are learning – make sure you ‘manage the risk’ so any cut is not serious and dealt with quickly
Don’t forget to post us your fire lighting experiences Active Communitites Going Wild.
Useful resources include: A beginners guide to Whittling, How to Whittle
- Wild Community
- Making Wild
- Wild stories