Some cultures, including the Maori, once used stick games to train young boys to handle spears. Now, stick games are used for entertainment. You can make your own inexpensive rhythm sticks and practice with a friend. Rhythm sticks are also a fun and noisy Scout activity!

Materials:

• ¾" PVC pipe - cut two twelve-inch lengths per pair of rhythm sticks, one pair per person
• Indelible markers (Sharpie brand chisel-point markers work well)
• Paper towels
• Newspapers to cover work surface

Directions:

Make sure PVC sticks are clean and dry, and that the ends are not jagged. Decorate rhythm sticks with indelible markers. Use paper towels to blot or wipe any excess ink away. Let dry for a couple of minutes and blot or wipe again. When the ink is dry, you are ready to play!

Note: Be really careful when working with Sharpie indelible markers. If the ink does get onto floors or surfaces, you can try a product like Goof Off to remove most of it.

How to Play:

Hold one rhythm stick in each hand. Sit on the ground, facing a partner. When you gain proficiency, you can try it with two rows of seated partners facing each other.

Basic Taps:

• Tap: hit the tips of the sticks on the ground in front of you.
• R Tap: hit the tips of the sticks on the ground to your right
• L Tap: hit the tips of the sticks on the ground to your left
• End: hit the bottoms of the sticks on the ground in front of you. (The bottoms are the ends closest to your body.)
• Clap: hit the whole lengths of the sticks together in front of you.
• Click: hit the tips of the sticks together in front of you.
• Flip: toss the sticks end-over in front of you and catch them by the tips.
• Throw: toss the sticks upright to your partner. You catch your partner's sticks, your partner catches your sticks.
• Cross tap: cross your arms in front of you and tap the tips of the sticks on the ground in front of you.

Practice Patterns:

1. Tap, tap, clap (repeat three times)
2. R Tap, L Tap, click, click, clap (repeat three times)
3. Tap, flip, tap, tap, flip, tap, end. (repeat three times)
4. R Tap, L Tap, tap, tap, throw (repeat three times)
5. Cross tap, tap, end, throw, throw (repeat three times)

It's fun to make up your own patterns, or play along with music!