Mark a Trail
Some nature trails have posted signs to tell you which way to go. But you can make your own trail signs.
Think about what kind of trail sign you would like to make and what materials you would use. Then try it out in your backyard, a nearby park, or other familiar areas.
What You Need
- Rocks, sticks, and other natural objects such as pine cones, nuts, seeds, leaves or flowers
- Bucket or something to carry the natural objects above.
- Trail Making Guide (optional)
What You Do
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Step 1: Look at or print out the “Make Your Own Trail” guide.
If this is your first time laying out a trail, it might be helpful to look at or print out our trail making guide.
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Step 2: Gather rocks, sticks or other natural objects such as pine cones.
Find a spot where the ground is not too littered with debris. You could just draw the markings in the dirt if you have a trail with dry clear dirt. However, trail markers are fun to make because you can put them on paved trails. Also, if there is light rain, drawings might wash away, but the trail markers should stay clear.
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Step 3: Here’s how you tell someone to go straight ahead.
If you have sticks, make the sign from sticks. If you have rocks, make the sign from rocks. You don’t have to put both. These photos just show how the signs are different, depending on which materials you use.
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Step 4: Here’s how to make trail markers for “turn right.”
This one is quite easy to understand.
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Step 5: Here’s how to show someone how to “turn left.”
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Step 6: Here’s how to mark “wrong way” or “don’t go this way.”
This is extra helpful if you come to a fork in the path, and you want to make it extra clear where they should look for their next trail marker.
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Step 7: Now mark your trail and hide something special at the end for the trackers to find.
Share the fun with your friends and siblings by making a map to show them the way.
