Our rule about sticks is that they have to stay below the shoulders. I'm totally fine with playing with sticks but when other kids are around, they need to be away from faces. We have to remind 3-year-old of this rule every time and if he gets too crazy, we just take the stick away, but most times he's fine.

Anonymous wrote:We have a fine collection of sticks that I can't bear to get rid of even though my boys are older. A really good stick is a thing of beauty.

Do you want to add to your collection? DD collects them to build "ant playgrounds" on the railing of our deck.

Kids should play with that stuff! Who knows why the other person scolded her child ... maybe they habitually put things in mouth, throw, etc. You and your kid were totally fine.

As long as he doesn't throw a rock at someone or at playground equipment, poke another kid with a stick or wave the stick around near another kid, or run while holding the stick, I see no problem w/ it at all. Some people are paranoid about their kids touching anything on the ground, some people know their own kid can't be trusted not to throw a rock at someone or hit someone with a stick or whatever so they don't allow it but as long as your kid is well behaved with it, it shouldn't be an issue. Sometimes it is exhausting to be at the park (or anywhere, for that matter) with other parents and kids when the other parents don't allow their kids to do things that I allow my kids to do or vice versa...it's hard to continue parenting as you usually would when you see other parents making different choices in what they allow/don't allow.

I think this is just another of the many things parents differ on. Maybe she knows her kid will whack another kid on the head so she told him told stop. I let my son do things too, for example climb up the slide if nobody is coming down. It's kind of awkward when one kid gets scolded for it, but mine does it one second later. If we are actually on a playdate with the other family, I'll tell my son to find something else to do WITH the other child. You just make your decision based on your opinion and the safety of your child regardless of what it is.

Anonymous wrote:I let my 3yo play with rocks and sticks if he wants at the playground. He is not the type to aim it at another child and will just play pretend with the stick (it's a magic powers wand) or scrape a tree with it. He might throw a rock but never near another child. I always warn him if he decides to play with these things to be very careful and I supervise. My 1 yo also plays with small sticks in the sandbox sometimes.

Is this common practice?

Today I was allowing my child to play with a rock and another child near him was scolded and the person also looked at my child. This adult was watching a few children, so maybe it's her blanket rule. But should I not be allowing this since we are in a public space?

Yes, children play with sticks and other assorted things they pick up from the ground. My kids are fans of rocks, dirt, leaves and anything else I clearly think is gross. I do not allow throwing, but beyond that - all of that stuff is fair game. It is like fighting against the tide.

Anonymous wrote:It will be a sad day when children aren't allowed to play with rocks and sticks. Of course it's okay for your child to play! Childhood happens once!

When my DD was in elementary school, one day I stayed chatting with her and her friends before the morning announcements, and the kids were running around. A teacher came over and told them there was no running. I was like "Really? They're outside and school hasn't started yet? When and where better to run?"

Just don't let him throw a rock onto the playground/near the equipment.

My 7 month old picked up a stick at the park and was chewing on it last week before I could even stop him, so I'm not judging.

My 5 year old has a massive collection of "pretty rocks" and for a while our front porch was lined with sticks she collected on walks.

It will be a sad day when children aren't allowed to play with rocks and sticks. Of course it's okay for your child to play! Childhood happens once!

We have a fine collection of sticks that I can't bear to get rid of even though my boys are older. A really good stick is a thing of beauty.

You're fine. Some parents don't allow it because they are paranoid about germs, others have kids who will throw.

Allow it! You are encouraging creativity and his imagination. As long as your child is not waving the stick in someone's face or throwing the rock near people, it does not matter.

Nah, you're fine. If he throws or hits another kid, I'd take it away.

My rule is always that there's no throwing sand, because even one grain in someone's eye can scratch a cornea and irritate the eye for hours/days if it gets in.

But rocks and sticks? Go for it.

I let my 3yo play with rocks and sticks if he wants at the playground. He is not the type to aim it at another child and will just play pretend with the stick (it's a magic powers wand) or scrape a tree with it. He might throw a rock but never near another child. I always warn him if he decides to play with these things to be very careful and I supervise. My 1 yo also plays with small sticks in the sandbox sometimes.

Is this common practice?

Today I was allowing my child to play with a rock and another child near him was scolded and the person also looked at my child. This adult was watching a few children, so maybe it's her blanket rule. But should I not be allowing this since we are in a public space?