Crafts with kids: try these nature favourites

Looking to nature for inspiration is something we all do — as children, as educators, as problem-solvers.

That’s why some of our favourite crafts incorporate the wonder of the natural world, like leaves, pinecones and twigs. Evergreen’s outdoor educators are some of the best at creating nature crafts that are simple and fun for kids and adults alike. Bookmark this page as we continue to add new nature crafts.

Maple Seed Helicopters

Maple seeds are known for their beautiful flight patterns and ability to be carried away by the wind to far distances. They’ve inspired the design of drones and even new micro-chip technologies to help monitor changes in the environment in a low-impact way.

Supplies: Pencil, paper, scissors and paperclips

Instructions:

1. Go for a wander and collect some maple seeds that have fallen to the ground. (Optional: Maple seeds tend to fall in late spring; if they are not yet available, you can trace pictures of maple seeds.)
2. Use the collected maple seeds to trace around on a piece of paper.
3. Cut out your maple seed outline.
4. Attach a paperclip at the base/middle of your maple seed paper.
5. Test it by dropping it from different heights outdoors. How far does it get carried? What if the wings of the seeds were a different shape? What if the kind of paper used was different?

Our friends over at the Royal Botanical Gardens have a neat template to cut out and follow along!

Nature Binoculars

At this time of year many birds are just migrating back to their summer home, and watching them is a great way to peacefully enjoy some time outdoors! These binoculars will help focus your senses and make you feel like a true birdwatcher.

Materials needed: Two toilet paper rolls, glue or strong tape, string, scissors and decorating supplies (markers, stickers, colorful paper, etc.)

Instructions:

1. Attach the two toilet paper rolls together side by side, using glue or tape in the middle.
2. Add a string so that you’re able to wear it around your neck. Poke a hole in each side of the connected rolls, and thread a long piece of string through, tying a knot so that it will be secure.
3. Decorate your binoculars! It’s nice to add a piece of paper around the two rolls to keep them together.
4. Go for a walk and see what birds you can find! It’s OK if you don’t know any of the different names, just notice the colours and other characteristics of the birds you see.

Nature Paintbrushes

Unleash your inner artist with whimsical nature paintbrushes! Each brush is a unique masterpiece, perfect for crafting magical paintings with nature’s own palette. Embrace the wild and let your creativity bloom with these enchanting, eco-friendly tools!

Materials needed: Sticks, leaves, twine or yarn

Instructions:

1. Stroll through nearby green spaces and gather sturdy sticks and different shaped leaves. Tip: Try to find leaves that have different textures (i.e., cedar, oak, sassafras, cluster of pine needles, etc.) to make a whole set of nature paintbrushes.
2. Wrap twine or yarn around the end of the stick with a leaf. Tie a knot to secure it in place.
3. Continue Step 2 until you have finished making a set of nature paintbrushes.

If you want to make this craft and activity even more low impact, give water painting a go! Find a surface outdoors to paint secret water messages or patterns that will disappear with the sun. Another option is to extend this activity by exploring plant-based dyes and pigments to paint with. At the end of the day, these paintbrushes can be taken apart easily to be composted.

Plant Pressings

Our Outdoor Educators and campers made some stunning plant pressings this summer. It’s a fun way to use plant materials for their pigmentation to create beautiful designs on fabric or paper.

Materials needed: Fresh leaves and flower petals, hammer or mallet, parchment paper or wax paper, cotton fabric or watercolour paper, tape (to secure plants)

Instructions:

1. Prep: Lay down a sheet of parchment paper on a hard, flat surface. Place your cotton fabric or watercolor paper on top
2. Arrange: Arrange your leaves and flowers on the fabric/paper in a playful pattern or design. Secure them in place with small pieces of tape.
3. Cover: Place another piece of parchment paper over the plants to protect them while hammering and to prevent the transfer of plant pigment from spreading.
4. Hammering: Gently hammer the plants, starting from the center and working your way out. Make sure to cover all parts of the plants.
5. Reveal: Carefully peel back the top layer of parchment paper and remove the plant material. You should see the plants’ imprints and colours transferred onto the fabric or paper.
6. Finishing touches: Let the fabric or paper dry completely. You can frame it, use it as a bookmark, or display it however you like.

We hope you take advantage of the lush late summer to try this craft with the children in your life! This DIY is a great combination of collecting materials on walks or perusing your garden or yard and getting kids to challenge themselves with the use of tools like a hammer.

Ice lanterns

Winter transforms the outdoors into a perfect learning and play environment. Utilize ice and snow as versatile materials for crafts like ice lanterns.

Supplies: Yogurt containers; Natural decorations (twigs, pinecones, sumac, pine needles, etc.); tea candle or battery-powered light/flashlight

Instructions

1. Take a nature walk to gather natural elements for your lantern. Choose items that have already fallen to the ground to avoid harming plants.
2. Collect various-sized yogurt containers and fill them with water, leaving space at the top. Boil the water for clearer ice.
3. Place a smaller container inside a larger one and add water. This creates space for a candle or light.
4. Insert nature decorations into the container and freeze overnight.
5. Run warm water around the containers the next day to remove the ice lantern mold.
6. Illuminate your ice lantern with a tea candle, battery-powered candle, or flashlight after dark.

Get creative with shapes, sizes, and colors to fully enjoy the beauty of winter crafting.

Want more crafts for kids?

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