Giant Pick Up Sticks — also known as Mikado — is a steady-hand game that gets progressively more tense as the pile gets smaller. Scaled up to giant size, it works beautifully outdoors at weddings and garden events, drawing a crowd of onlookers who are often as entertained by the wobbles and near-misses as the players themselves.
How to Play Giant Pick Up Sticks
The sticks are held together in a bundle and dropped onto a flat surface, falling into a random scattered pile. Players take turns trying to remove a single stick from the pile without disturbing any of the others. If any other stick moves during your attempt, your turn ends.
Each stick has a point value based on its colour — the rarer the colour, the higher the value. The player who collects the most points when all sticks have been removed wins. The black stick, once retrieved, can be used as a tool to help remove other sticks on subsequent turns.
Giant Pick Up Sticks Hire FAQs
Is Giant Pick Up Sticks suitable for indoor and outdoor use?
It works best on a flat hard surface — indoors on flooring or outdoors on solid patio or decking. Grass can make the sticks harder to grip cleanly, so a flat hard surface is ideal where possible.
What events is Giant Pick Up Sticks hire popular for?
It’s a popular choice for wedding drinks receptions, garden parties, and corporate events. It works well alongside other steady-hand games like Giant Jenga for guests who enjoy that type of challenge.
What areas of Scotland do you cover for Giant Pick Up Sticks hire?
We deliver across Central Scotland — Edinburgh, Glasgow, Perth, Fife, the Lothians, Stirling and the Scottish Borders. Get in touch to confirm your date and venue.
Can Giant Pick Up Sticks be combined with DJ or other entertainment?
Yes — games and DJ services are frequently booked together. See our full giant games range or get in touch for a combined quote.