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Some of the best craft supplies are free and right outside your door. Take the kids on a nature walk with a bag or basket, gather leaves, sticks, rocks and pinecones, then come home and get creative. Remember to only take what’s on the ground, and leave flowers in parks and protected areas.
Rock crafts
- Painted rocks: paint ladybugs, bees, faces or kindness messages and hide them for others to find.
- Story stones: paint simple pictures (sun, tree, dog) and take turns telling stories.
- Rock tic-tac-toe: paint five rocks as Xs and five as Os.
- Rock turtles: glue small pebble feet and a head onto a flat rock.
Leaf crafts
- Leaf prints: paint the back of a leaf and press it on paper.
- Leaf rubbings: put a leaf under paper and rub with the side of a crayon.
- Pressed leaf bookmarks: press leaves in a heavy book for a week, then seal between contact paper.
- Leaf animals: glue leaves on paper to make owls, foxes and fish.
- Preserved leaves: dip pressed leaves in melted beeswax (adults only) or brush with Mod Podge.
Stick crafts
- Stick boats: tie sticks together with twine, add a leaf sail and float them.
- Stick owls or snails: wrap yarn around a stick and glue on paper features.
- Nature paintbrushes: tie pine needles, grass or feathers to sticks and paint with them.
- Stick picture frames: glue four sticks into a square around a photo.
- Stick wands: wrap with yarn and ribbon.
Pinecone crafts
- Pinecone bird feeders: spread with peanut butter (or sunflower butter), roll in birdseed and hang.
- Pinecone owls: add felt eyes and wings.
- Pinecone critters: turn them into spiders, bats or hedgehogs with pipe cleaners and googly eyes.
Flower crafts
- Pressed flower cards: press flowers for a week, then glue onto cardstock.
- Flower suncatchers: arrange petals on contact paper and hang in a window.
Craft-time tips
- Cover the table with newspaper or a cheap plastic tablecloth.
- Set out supplies before calling the kids over.
- Let kids make it their own; it doesn’t have to look like the example.
- Grown-ups handle hot glue, ovens and sharp tools.
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FAQ
What can kids make from nature?
Painted rocks, leaf prints, stick boats, pinecone bird feeders and pressed flower cards are all easy and fun.
How do I preserve leaves?
Press them in a heavy book for about a week, then seal with clear contact paper or Mod Podge.
Is it okay to collect things on a nature walk?
Take only fallen items, and check the rules for parks and protected areas.
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