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Tag Archives: nature

Nature Crafting with Kids

Posted by melissa.t on February 15, 2013 3 comments

Use the natural materials around you, sticks, rocks, and leaves, to create and play. Remember when I showed you how to make Story Stones? That’s just one of the many playful craft ideas I want to share with you today. These nature crafts are inexpensive and help your children appreciate the possibilities in the natural world.

nature crafts with kids

Rocks and Stones

Story Stones

Conversation Stones

People Rocks

Domino Rocks

Blarney Stone (St. Patrick’s Day)

Rock Crystal Garden

 

Twigs and Branches

Bow and Arrow

Bird’s Nest 

Fairy Treehouse

Mobile

Story Stick

Handmade Book

 

Leaves

Leaf Collection Book

Leaf Person or Animal 

Leaf Cards

Shaving Cream Leaves

 

Pinecones

Pinecone People

Pinecone Birdfeeder

Painted Pinecone

Pinecone Jewelry

 

So get outside, collect leaves, pinecones, rocks and twigs, and start crafting!

P.S. You’ll love this calendar from The Grass Stain Guru. It shares daily inspiration for natural play and learning.

Autumn Crafting with Kids

Posted by melissa.t on September 28, 2012 None comments

Time for true confessions– I’m not a crafty mom. At all. Not much of a cook either.

But, I can read directions so I totally rely on cookbooks and crafty books.

Hooray for books!

I am so happy with The Artful Parent‘s new eBook, The Artful Year: Autumn because it’s so easy for un-crafty people like me. My kids and I have been trying all the projects and now our home is decorated with beautiful nature-inspired autumn art!

One of our favorites was melting crayons over rocks. Wow!

Another favorite were these Mod Podge leafy rocks.

Oh, and I have to tell you new idea. See the green stripes underneath the rock? You’ll never guess what it is. It’s not a tablecloth, it’s a shower curtain! My new crafty tablecloth. :)

I highly recommend this book. It’s only $9.99 and worth every penny to have lots of ideas for autumn crafts at your fingertips and to support the fabulous work of Jean Van’t Hul.

Disclosure: I received my copy of the book for free.

Bird Watching for Kids

Posted by melissa.t on April 27, 2012 1 comments
Get your kids interested in nature with backyard birds. Bird watching provides an amazing nature opportunity for kids. Watching birds slows you down, increases your powers of observation, and helps increase your appreciation for nature and animals.

Some rights reserved by TooFarNorth

To become a bird watcher, you’ll need a few basic supplies:
Notebook and pencils
Binoculars
Camera with zoom
Bird feeder by a window with birdseed
Bird guide

Make Your Own Bird Feeders & Bird Baths

DIY bird feeder
DIY birdbath
Recycled bird houses
Seed heart bird feeder

Keep a Nature Journal

Record the birds you see in your nature journal. Draw and label the birds using colored pencils like scientists do.
Blank printable nature journal
Nature rocks journal
Printable Nest observation journal from Ranger Rick 

Invest in a Bird Field Guide

Get a book or field guide to identify birds in your area.

More Bird Watching Activities for Kids

Bird clicker and magnifying glass for younger bird watchers.
 
Great Backyard Bird Count
DIY binoculars 
Matching pairs bird game
What do you think? Are you so excited? I wish you lots of fun watching your backyard birds.

11 Fall Fun Ideas For Kids

Posted by melissa.t on October 3, 2011 None comments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What wonderful ways can kids enjoy nature during the fall season? 

1. Go on a nature hike. Bring a collection bag to collect rocks, leaves, seeds, or fancy sticks.

2. Hunt for signs of fall. Take digital photos for a fall book. Or, draw what you see in your fall nature journal.

3. Leaf play, art, and writing. 

4. Make pinecone bird feeders. Watch and observe what birds like the peanut butter. Write or draw in your nature observation journal.

5. Decorate gourds and pumpkins with sharpies, paint, glue, pom-poms, glitter, ribbons, felt, or other craft supplies. Or, hollow out and use as a vase for dried flowers.

6. Make chocolate chip pumpkin muffins – my kids' favorite pumpkin treat.

7. Rake leaves into pile and JUMP!

8. Visit an apple farm or a pumpkin patch.

9. Collect sticks and build a fairy house or tunnel.

10. Learn about letterboxing – an outdoor treasure hunt throughout the United States and world.

12. Stargaze and learn about the night sky in fall.

What other fall activities does your family enjoy?