There are some products that upon first sight I just can't get the money out of my pocket fast enough. These sword handles are one of them. Intended for use on sticks from the backyard, they turn any fallen branch into a swashbuckling good time. Their only downfall? They're not yet for sale! Here are a few ideas for making your own.
Although we're sure these will go into production soon (seriously, how cool are they?), if you just can't wait to make your own for a little backyard or alley play here are a few ideas to get the ball rolling:
• Plastic Drink Containers: Milk jugs, large juice bottles, 2 liters, and the like. They're all great resources for large pieces of plastic. Try adding ornamentation to your cut out with paint or markers.
• Felt: When you head to the craft store there are two different types of felt available to you. There are the soft flimsy craft sheets and then there are thicker ones with a bit more body to them. Stiffer is better for this project. Just cut out your shape and add holes at each end and you'll be set. Try adding jewels or even glitter paint to make it sparkle.
• Relief Printing Linoleum: This product is sold at art supply stores and is intended to be gouged out with small tools. Artists then roll on paint and make prints from the relief that it creates. We think it's a heavy (but not too heavy) material that would be easy to cut and you could even carve your own family crest into it if you're feeling so inclined! Look for it at the craft/art supply store near you or order it online.
Do you like the idea of a sword handle or do you think kids have done just fine without them? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
(Image: Naama Agassi via Wired)
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That is such a cool idea. I hope that they don't run into any legal difficulties...sticks could poke an eye out:)
My little boy has been obsessed with sticks from the time he could use his hands to grab them. This would be over-the-top cool!
I'm sorry but how consumerist can we get?! Of course children are going to pretend that sticks (and anything else the right shape) are swords. The main point here is the PRETENDING!
couldn't you use the covers from handles on ski poles? I'm sure they are sold seperately at sports stores.
Husband's grandpa poked his twin's eye out with a stick when they were children. Glass eye for life?
No thanks.
It looks EXACTLY like the strap from a Croc clog. And I am pretty sure that we have a half dozen worn out pairs that don't need the back strap anymore.
Yikes. I am not one of those over the top safety police moms, but I don't think I'd actively encourage my two boys to sword fight with sticks. They do plenty of this on their own anyway. I totally agree with Niamh--kids have been playing with sticks since the beginning of time, why interfere with no-cost, imaginative play?
As a teacher and parent I see that this current generation has no problem solving or compensatory skills due to their inability and lack of opportunity for imaginative. I used to spend hours designing clothes for my Barbie out of a sock and a shoe lace. Even legos now a days are so specific in their design that they don't leave room for interpretation. If this sword design was brought to me by a child, then I might commend it, but an adult thinking for them just perpetuates the current issue.
Definitely not keen on the idea of actually ALLOWING my child to smack another's with a stick (oops, I mean "sword").
As a kindergarten teacher constantly on the lookout for kids playing with sticks on our school playground (to avoid injuries, tattling, upset parents, lawsuits, etc.), I have to say "pass." In fact, "Don't pick up sticks or anything else" has become our number one playground rule.
I love sticks as a means to open-ended, imaginative and creative play. I encourage my son to collect them, to bring them home and to play with them, both outside and inside. They can be handled responsibly, even by a pre-schooler.
But I wouldn't dream of purchasing some plastic doodad to turn the stick into what I think a sword looks like.
Nope. No thanks. Agree with most everyone else- sticks can be a fun creative tool (build houses, pretend they are candles on cakes, etc) but should not be used as a sword. My friend's little boy almost lost his eye because a child at the playground was playing with a stick and poked him. A dad at our local playground is adamant about no sticks when his daughter is around because her cornea was scratched by one. Not a good idea.
I would think that cutting linoleum or a drink container into one of these handles would result in some very sharp edges.
We love playfighting with swords and, as a formerly certified actor-combatant, I bring stage combat rules to the battle. Instead of nannying obsessively, it is definitely possible to teach safe ways of having fun sword fights.
I have to agree with the idea of not imposing MY view of what something should be on what my child is going to see in something... however... as children will be children and WILL pick up sticks and beat each other with them... Boffer swords are a much safer alternative. For those who don't know... they're 1/2" pvc lengths wrapped with pipe insulation and then completely covered in duct tape. You can space the insulation to allow for a handle. They're heavy duty, and yes, they can cause bruising, but far better a bruise than an eye poked out.