Easy Nature Crafts for Kids

Since school has been out for a few weeks now, the kids may be starting to get bored.  Here are a few ideas for crafts using materials found in nature- directly from the AnswerLine files.  Enjoy.

PAINTING ON SAND

Materials needed: Fine construction sand, tea strainers/flour sifters, glue, tempera paint, brushes, scrap boards or heavy cardboard, felt tip pens

Directions:

1. Spread glue evenly over board or heavy cardboard. A scrap of cardboard can be used to spread the glue.
2. Using sifters or strainers, sprinkle sand over glue surface. Let dry.
3. Paint design on sand. Felt tip pens can be used to add details

NATURE COLLAGE

Materials needed: Cardboard bolts, scrap fabric, glue, scissors,  nature material such as twigs, leaves, flowers

Directions:

1. Have child gather dried plant materials (leaves, twigs, feathers, etc.) that can be glued to a flat surface.
2. Cut cardboard bolts in 12-15″ lengths. Cover boards with fabric.
3. Arrange nature materials on board. Glue down. Allow to dry.

PAPER MAKING

Materials needed: Dishpan, sponge, blender, egg beater, paper scraps, lint, dried leaves, dried grass, iron, newspapers, window screen on canvas stretchers

Directions:

1. Staple window screen to canvas stretchers. Screen should fit into dishpan easily.
2. Combine scraps, lint, dried leaves etc. with warm water and blend or beat into slurry.
3. Pour slurry into dishpan. Add water to thin mixture.
4. Dip screen into mixture, let drain.
5. Sponge off excess water. Turn screen slurry side down on a stack of newspapers. Lift screen off.
6. Cover the area with 3 sheets of newspaper and iron till dry.
7. Peel off new sheet of paper.

NATURE WEAVING

Materials needed: Yarns, found nature items, 2 sturdy sticks 12″ long, 3-ply jute or cotton packaging cord, comb, T-Pins, cardboard bolts

Directions:

1. Cut 12 to 18 pieces of jute or cotton 30 long. Fold each piece in half and attach with a half hitch to a stick. Pin stick and strings to top of fabric bolt.
2. Tie ends of jute or cord to second stick which is pinned to the bottom of cardboard.
3. Weave over and under cotton jute cords (warp) with other pieces of yam (weft). Insert pine needles. leaves etc. at random to complete design. Weft yams do not need to be tied. Open areas of warp may be left. Use comb to pack weft yams.
4. When finished remove T-pins from cardboard. Sticks will stay attached in weaving.

BARK PRINTING

Materials needed: Cotton T-shirt (pre-washed), scrap fabric, newspapers, latex paint, 4″ paint brush, scrub brush/bucket, trees

Directions:

1. Stuff T-shirt with crumpled newspaper.
2. Paint sections of tree with latex paint. Choose a tree that is marked for cutting or use cut logs that are to be burned.
3. Press T-shirt against painted surface.
4. Wash off tree surface with water and scrub brush if tree is to be unharmed.
5. After T-shirt is completely dried (4 to 8 hours) iron on reverse side of design to heat-set. Launder wrong side out, by hand.

CHALK SWIRLING

Materials needed: Colored chalk ,  pan with water, scrap paper, popsicle stick

Directions:

1. Using a popsicle stick, scrape off chalk particles into water surface. Chalk will float in still water.
2. Drop paper onto water surface. Remove immediately. Chalk will stick to paper. Allow paper to dry.

LEAF PRINTING

Materials needed: Grasses, leaves, tempera paint, paper, paint brushes

Directions:

1. Paint under side of leaves, grasses with tempera paint.
2. Lay the painted side down on a sheet of paper.
3. Cover the leaves etc. with used paper, rub lightly with hand.
4. Remove used top paper and plant material. Allow design to dry.

Try some of these ideas the next time you hear “I’m bored”.  You may find a budding artist in the family.

Liz Meimann

I received both my undergraduate and graduate degrees in Food Science at Iowa State University. I love to quilt, sew, cook, and bake. I spent many years gardening, canning, and preserving food for my family when my children were at home.

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