The sun falls through the treetops, the leaves rustle under your feet, and the entire forest comes to life – curious, watchful, and full of little adventures. If you roam the woods with an open mind, you can discover something new, listen, feel, and marvel at every turn.
Gabrielle from kindwaldundwiese has already taken us on many such journeys of discovery: with playful grass hearts, an imaginative gnome hut, funny reed boats, and a self-made barefoot trail. Today, she's showing us a new project that's a perfect match for our forest explorations: carving your own hiking stick – sturdy, personal, and full of imagination.
"We are passionate hikers ourselves and often just carry simple sticks. Over the years, our kids have carved many hiking sticks, some more decorated than others," Gabrielle says. "The idea of turning it into a small, very personal work of art came to us when we discovered hand-carved hiking sticks at the valley station of the Golzern cable car. The owl was added because for us, it's a silent forest guardian – and because its head is so wonderful to shape out of wood."
We find this little owl sitting on the stick especially charming. A watchful guardian, brave and curious, who walks every step with us and explores nature with us. Just like the namuk owl, which reminds us to discover the world with open eyes.
A task for every age
The great thing about this DIY is that everyone can find a task that fits their age. Younger children can collect the most beautiful, straightest hazel sticks, carefully remove the bark (even with a vegetable peeler), or help with painting. Older children or adults can handle the carving and sawing – of course, under supervision and depending on their carving experience. This way, every stick becomes a one-of-a-kind piece, every owl has its own character, and no branch is quite like the other.
"The first time we tried, our owl turned out looking almost like a fox – but we thought it was just as beautiful," Gabrielle says. "That's exactly what's so great about it: there's no right or wrong. Every stick tells its own little forest story."
What materials do you need?
For the hiking stick, it's best to use hazel wood. "It's soft, sturdy, and grows almost everywhere – perfect for children's hands," Gabrielle explains. You almost don't need much more than that:
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A hazel branch, as straight as possible, about up to shoulder height
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A carving knife or child's pocketknife
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A pencil for sketching
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A small branch to form the owl's head
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Acrylic paints or paint pens (optional)
Tips & Tricks for the perfect hiking stick
To make sure the carving adventure is a complete success, a stable surface is worth its weight in gold – a thick tree stump or a sturdy table provides support and helps prevent injuries. "Hazel wood is easiest to carve when it's fresh. It carves more easily and the bark comes off better."
When carving, the rule is: always work away from your body and use sharp knives. Then every owl becomes a little work of art. If you like, you can rub the finished stick with linseed oil or beeswax at the end – that way, it stays supple, weatherproof, and will accompany you on many adventures.
How it's done: Step-by-Step to your hiking stick
1. Find your branch: The perfect stick is often lying on the ground, between moss and leaves, just waiting to be found.
2. Mark the owl's head: Use a pencil to draw the outline. Eyes, beak, ears – all very rough at first, the rest takes shape during carving.
3. Carve the form: Carefully, piece by piece. If you like, you can let the ears taper to a point and sand the head round.
4. Shape the details: Remove the bark, carve small notches, and emphasize the eyes. Every movement of your hand makes the owl come alive.
5. Paint: A few dabs of color, a smile on the wood – and suddenly the owl is looking watchfully into the forest.
6. Marvel and use: Let's go through moss and forests, over meadows and hills, your new stick held tightly in your hand. Suddenly, every hike becomes a small adventure.
What this craft does
"It's a piece of a lived connection to the forest," Gabrielle says. "We work with what grows right outside our door and spend hours in the fresh air. Carving makes you slow down; you hear the birds, feel your hands moving, and get to know the wood better and better."
For children, the project trains motor skills and patience – with sawing, carving, and decorating. They get to know the material of wood with all its scents, textures, and unique properties. And the finished hiking stick makes them proud, motivating them to get outside and be active – every hike becomes a little more exciting when they have their own stick with them. "It's so much fun to see a simple branch turn into a little forest friend," Gabrielle shares.
Why this stick is special
"Every stick tells a little story," Gabrielle says. "The kids learn to feel the wood, to see its grain, to discover its character. It's not just about carving and quickly creating something, but about the experience itself."
And that's the magic of this DIY: a hiking stick with an owl (or an animal of your choice) becomes a loyal companion, a symbol of a love for adventure and discovery. Whether it's the first step into the moss, the summit view on a hike, or listening to the birds sing – with this little friend in hand, every outing becomes a special experience that kids and adults can share together.
