Nature Art

Sandy Roadway Activity for an individual child Age group: 18-40 months Duration of activity: 20 minutes Materials: Sand box with sand Flat spatula Small toy cars and trucks Small blocks (optional) Toy or handmade mini road signs (optional) This ...

Pressing Flowers One way to make the green seasons last is with flower crafts. Flower pressing is easy enough for anyone to do, and it offers possibilities that can challenge even the most skilled craftsperson. Flower pressing is a great way to ...

Pressed Flower Place MatsAge: Preschool and upTime: An hour or more Type of activity: Nature Arts and Crafts Add some flowers to your picnic table – no vase needed! Materials needed: · Flowers and leaves · Clear contact paper · Constructi...

Picture-Perfect Leaf Designs You can make lovely designs in waxed paper in most seasons by searching for leaves from a variety of trees and plants. However, you might want to try this in the fall for vibrant colors if you live in a climate where...

Object RubbingsMaterials Black, brown, or dark blue crayons White drawing paper Directions Look around inside and outside with your child to try to find some textured surfaces on which to make rubbings. Small objects, such as coins, are good to ...

Snow PaintingsMaterials Spray bottles Water Food coloringDirectionsUse snow as your canvas and paint a museum masterpiece! Fill spray bottles with water and drops of food coloring (the number of drops determine how bright the painting will be). S...

Sea Shell Symphony You can take a walk on a beach with your kids to find shells for this project, or, if that's not possible, check out your local craft store for bags of shells. This shell wind chime should be hung in a garden or on a porch whe...

Newspaper Leaf PrintsMaterials Assorted leaves Saucers Tempera or acrylic paints Newspaper Plastic soda bottle Directions Pour small amounts of paint into the saucers. Spread a sheet of newspaper on a flat surface. Dip each leaf in the paint ...

Swinging Sand ArtMaterials Sand Large, strong paper cup String Large sheet of brown or colored paper Liquid glue (optional) Directions This activity is best done outside. Make a hole in the bottom of the paper cup. Make another three holes ar...

Stone PaintingMaterials Smooth, flat stones Acrylic paints Permanent markers Paint brushes Jar of water Directions Clean and dry off the stones. Mix the paints and pour them into paper cups or muffin pans. If you are using tube paints, squeez...

Magnetic SeashellsAn Imagination Station ActivityAge: 3 and upTime: 20 minutesType of Activity: Arts and crafts When you take your kids to the beach this summer, have them bring home some seashells for this fun activity! Magnetic seashells will h...

Shell PaintingsMaterials Seashells (chalkier white ones with a large, smooth inner surface work best) Acrylic paints and brushes Jar of fresh water Directions Rinse shells in fresh water. Let them dry. Paint the inside, letting each color dry b...

Stick WeavingMaterials 2 straight sticks equal in diameter and length Yarn—three or four different colors Scissors Directions Bind the two sticks together in a cross shape by holding them together in one hand and taking a long piece of yarn (thi...

Flower PressMaterials Heavy cardboard or plywood Flat coffee filters String or wide elastic Directions First make the flower-press out of the cardboard or plywood. Cut two pieces twelve inches square. Place one on top of the other to make sure th...

Nature PrintsAge: Preschool through elementaryTime: 30 minutes or more Type of activity: Nature Craft Activity Spend some time collecting spring leaves and blossoms to make a piece of earth art! Materials needed:· Leaves, flowers, feathers, fru...

Pressed Flower CardMaterials Heavy paper Glue Tweezers Pressed flowers Felt tips Ruler Directions Collect flowers from your yard, park, forest, roadside, or neighborhood. Make sure you only take a few and never take a flower if there is only one ...

Things I LoveTime 20 to 30 minutes Materials Collected leaves, feathers, or other outdoor itemsNeedle and threadA 2-yard piece of sheer fabric Directions Make an unusual display of things your child has collected by sandwiching them between two ...

Magical Butterfly GardenAge: Preschool through elementaryTime: 30 minutes or moreType of Activity: ArtCelebrate the spring migration of the Monarch butterfly by creating these fantasy gardens with your child. Then, when it's warm enough to plant ...