My mother used small knitting needles to knit socks. They were metal and pointed on each end. Perfect for a game of Pick-Up Sticks
Make Pick-Up Sticks using long wooden skewers that you find at the market or cooking store. Even small dowels can be used for really big sticks.
You can cut off the pointed ends for younger children.
Sand and paint part of the sticks with non toxic tempera paint. I think you could even stain them with food coloring. Make 7 red, 7 blue, 7 yellow, 1 black, and 8 green. The black are worth 25 points, red are worth 10 points, blue are worth 5 points, green are worth 2 points, and the yellow are worth 1 point. If you aren't using points, leave them plain.
How to play:
Grasp the sticks in a vertical bundle. Place in the middle of the playing area. Let go and let them fall. Gently and carefully pick up as many sticks as possible without moving any of the other sticks. If you move a stick you are not picking up, the next person gets a turn. You can count points (200 to win), but we usually just enjoy the game as a fun, non-competitive experience.