A Natural Playground

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To begin, set a post in the ground at a point about six feet from two serviceable stumps cut to the same level as the post. Then 2 X 4's are spiked in place running from each stump and the post to form a triangular base. Nail some old boards across these beams, and add a small ladder.

Because this "platform" is shaded by greenery, it has the feel of a tree house. It can be a pretend pirate ship, a goblin's cave, or a knight's castle.

BARK PIPELINES: The remainder of the tree used to make the horse swing can be stripped and cut into fenceposts, a process that will produce a pile of curled bark. A four-year-old can construct a water engineering project using these leftovers, and though such a homemade aqueduct might seem just a toy, bark-strip conduits have been used by pioneers and homesteaders for channeling water to a house.

BARK BOATS: Another project using bark will turn small scraps that are 2 to 2-1/2 inches wide and 3 to 4 inches long into little Viking ships.

First, use a nail to press holes into the bark at any points where you want to locate masts. The uprights are made from thin sticks whittled to a point on one end. Trapezoid-shaped pieces of paper or big leaves can serve as sails. Just slip them onto the sticks and mount the masts in the nail holes.

Add to any pond, pool, or lake and when you blow on the little sails, the small bark boats slip prettily across the water. Throw in a few acorns for buoys and you're off to the races! Don't be too surprised if there are a few exciting capsizings to watch.

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