Top 12 Nature-Inspired Crafts for Kids
At Creative Nature Academy, we embrace the philosophy that nature is the ultimate canvas for creativity, offering endless opportunities for children to connect with the environment through bush crafts, nature-inspired art, and imaginative play. These activities are designed to promote a joyful pilgrimage through the wonders of the natural world. In this blog, we present twelve unique and innovative nature-inspired crafts designed to spark curiosity and foster an authentic connection to nature.
These activities are perfect for experienced families and newcomers alike, providing a harmonious blend of structured and unstructured activities, along with creativity and outdoor exploration. Each craft not only enhances fine motor skills and artistic expression but also encourages children to observe and appreciate the beauty of their natural surroundings. From toddlers to teenagers, our nature-inspired crafts include modifications for younger and older learners, ensuring that everyone can join in the fun and learning.
Transform a simple walk in the woods into a journey of discovery and creativity. Engage with natural materials and develop a deeper understanding of ecology, biology, and the environment, and a foundation for a lifelong friendship with nature. Whether you're looking for a weekend project or an educational activity, our top 12 nature-inspired crafts are sure to inspire wonder and joy in every child.
1. Nature Story Stones: Spark Your Child’s Imagination with Enchanting Nature Story Stones
DIY nature story stones are a delightful craft that invites creativity and storytelling. Adorned with vibrant, hand-painted symbols like animals, trees, and weather elements, these charming stones encourage playful exploration and personal expression. Perfect for nurturing fine motor skills and enhancing storytelling experiences, story stones offer a gentle and engaging way to connect with nature. Ideal for both educational settings and home crafting adventures, these stones turn storytelling into a fun, interactive journey of discovery.
Materials: Smooth stones, acrylic paint, markers, clear sealant spray
Instructions: Collect smooth stones and paint simple images or symbols on them, such as animals, trees, or weather elements. Use markers for finer details and seal with a clear spray.
Benefits: Encourages storytelling and creativity, enhances fine motor skills, teaches about different elements of nature.
Tips: Use a variety of colors and symbols to create a wide range of story elements. Encourage kids to come up with their own stories using the stones.
Inspiration: Create a themed set of story stones, such as a fairy tale or adventure story, to inspire imaginative play.
Modifications:
Younger Learners: Pre-paint some stones with simple images and let kids tell stories using the pre-made stones.
Older Learners: Encourage detailed painting and storytelling, and have them create a booklet to go along with their story stones.
2. Sun Print Art: Discover the Magic of Sun Print Art – Perfect for Sunny Days!
Play around with sun print art, where natural elements like leaves, flowers, and feathers are transformed into stunning blueprints using sun-sensitive paper. This eco-friendly craft teaches the science of photosensitivity while allowing for artistic expression and creativity. Ideal for educational projects and nature-inspired art, sun print art connects you to the beauty of the outdoors in a visually striking and engaging way.
Materials: Sun-sensitive paper, various natural items (leaves, flowers, feathers), a sunny day
Instructions: Arrange natural items on sun-sensitive paper and leave in direct sunlight for a few minutes. Remove the items and rinse the paper with water to reveal the sun print.
Benefits: Teaches about the sun’s power and photosensitivity, encourages exploration and creativity, and provides a scientific art activity.
Tips: Choose items with interesting shapes and textures for more detailed prints. Make sure to leave the paper in sunlight long enough for a clear image.
Inspiration: Create a sun print collage of different natural elements found in your backyard or local park.
Modifications:
Younger Learners: Pre-select simple, easy-to-handle objects for sun printing.
Older Learners: Experiment with layering objects and creating complex designs and discuss the science behind the photosensitivity process. Try various lighting conditions to see how the designs change with more or less exposure.
3. Stick Wind Chimes: Add Music to Your Garden with Stick Wind Chimes!
Create enchanting nature wind chimes using twigs, colorful beads, and string to bring music and charm to your garden. This eco-friendly DIY craft is perfect for all ages, combining natural elements with artistic creativity. These handcrafted wind chimes not only add a rustic touch to your outdoor space but also provide a fun and engaging activity that promotes fine motor skills and a deeper connection to nature. Ideal for family projects, educational activities, or personal enjoyment, nature wind chimes make your garden come alive with beautiful sounds and visual appeal.
Materials: Sticks, string, beads, paint (optional)
Instructions: Decorate sticks, tie them together with string, add beads for decoration.
Benefits: Enhances fine motor skills, teaches about sound, provides outdoor decoration.
Tips: Use different lengths and thicknesses of sticks to create varied sounds.
Inspiration: Paint the sticks in bright colors or patterns to add a visual element to the wind chime.
Modifications:
Younger Learners: Use larger, simpler components and pre-tie some of the strings.
Older Learners: Experiment with adding shells, bells, or other materials to create different sounds.
4. Nature Weaving: Weave the Wonders of Nature with Nature Weaving!
Create a beautiful nature loom using a rustic Y-shaped stick, colorful yarn, upcycled fabric, and natural materials like leaves and flowers. This eco-friendly and creative activity enhances fine motor skills and encourages artistic expression while fostering a deeper connection with nature. Perfect for kids and adults, a nature loom project adds a touch of natural beauty to any space and provides a hands-on way to explore textures and patterns found in the great outdoors.
Materials: Y-shaped sticks, yarn, natural materials (leaves, flowers, grass)
Instructions: Create a loom with the Y-shaped stick and yarn, weave natural materials through the yarn.
Benefits: Enhances fine motor skills, teaches about textures, encourages creativity.
Tips: Use a variety of materials for a more interesting texture and appearance.
Inspiration: Weave a seasonal tapestry using materials found during different times of the year.
Modifications:
Younger Learners: Use thicker yarn and larger natural materials for easier weaving.
Older Learners: Create complex patterns and designs, and experiment with different weaving techniques.
5. Herb Sachets: Make Scented Herb Sachets – A Soothing Nature Craft!
We love this project! You can combine sewing skills and hand work with this aromatic DIY project. It’s perfect for promoting relaxation, enhancing sensory play, and adding a touch of nature to your home. Fill your soothing herb sachets with dried lavender, mint, rosemary., or other aromatic herbs. Ideal for crafters of all ages, herb sachets offer an easy and eco-friendly way to enjoy the benefits of natural scents. Perfect for gifts, home decor, and stress relief, these herbal sachets will bring a calming and refreshing ambiance to any space.
Materials: Small fabric bags, dried herbs (lavender, mint, rosemary)
Instructions: Fill small fabric bags with dried herbs, tie closed.
Benefits: Teaches about herbs and their scents, promotes sensory play, provides a calming activity.
Tips: Combine different herbs for unique scents and effects.
Inspiration: Create themed sachets for different purposes, such as relaxation, energy, or focus.
Modifications:
Younger Learners: Pre-fill some of the bags and let them choose their favorite scents.
Older Learners: Have your child sew their own bag. Research the properties of different herbs and create custom blends for specific purposes.
6. Moss Paintings: Grow Green Art with Moss Paintings!
Discover the enchanting world of moss art and create living masterpieces that bring nature into your home. Perfect for artists of all ages, moss art uses living moss, yogurt or buttermilk, and a little creativity to design beautiful, eco-friendly art pieces. This sustainable craft not only teaches about plant growth and care but also adds a lush, green touch to your indoor or outdoor spaces. Ideal for educational projects, home decor, and creative exploration, moss art offers a unique and engaging way to connect with nature while showcasing your artistic skills
Materials: Moss, buttermilk or yogurt, blender, paintbrush, rocks or fences
Instructions: Blend moss with buttermilk or yogurt to create a paste, paint designs on rocks or fences, keep moist to help the moss grow.
Benefits: Teaches about plant growth, encourages creativity, provides a living art piece.
Tips: Choose a shady, moist location to help the moss thrive.
Inspiration: Create nature-themed designs like trees, animals, or abstract patterns with the moss paste.
Modifications:
Younger Learners: Provide pre-made moss paste and simple shapes to paint.
Older Learners: Experiment with different moss species and detailed designs, and discuss the science of moss growth.
7. Twig Picture Frames: Frame Your Memories with Rustic Twig Picture Frames!
Create beautiful and rustic twig picture frames using natural materials! Perfect for nature lovers and DIY enthusiasts, this craft involves gathering twigs, gluing them around a cardboard frame, and adding your favorite photos or artwork. Enhance your home's decor with these eco-friendly and charming frames that bring a touch of the outdoors inside. Ideal for showcasing memories, these twig frames are a fun and engaging project for all ages, promoting creativity and fine motor skills while connecting with nature. Transform your living space with these unique, handmade picture frames that celebrate the beauty of the natural world.
Materials: Twigs, dried flowers, other interesting dry nature finds, glue, cardboard, string
Instructions: Cut cardboard into a frame shape, glue natural mater around the edges, attach string for hanging.
Benefits: Promotes creativity, enhances fine motor skills, provides a keepsake.
Tips: Add other natural decorations like leaves, acorns, or small stones to personalize your frame.
Inspiration: Use your twig frame to display a favorite nature photograph or a piece of your child’s artwork.
Younger Learners: Use larger twigs and pre-cut cardboard shapes for easier assembly.
Older Learners: Try creating intricate designs with smaller twigs and incorporating other natural materials like moss or shells.
8. Homemade Watercolor Paints: Create Your Own Beautiful Colors from Nature!
Make your own vibrant DIY homemade watercolor paint, crafted from flowers, leaves, and berries. This eco-friendly activity teaches about natural pigments while offering a hands-on, artistic experience. Perfect for artists of all ages, homemade watercolor paint provides sustainable crafting and a deep connection to nature. Ideal for educational projects and creative exploration, this natural paint will inspire your artistic journey.
Materials: Flowers, leaves, berries, old pot, coffee filters or cheesecloth, mason jar, rubber band, baking soda, fresh lemon juice, gum arabic, pipette or dropper, small funnel, small glass bottles, whole cloves
Instructions:
Prepare Plant Material: Place about 1 cup of flowers, leaves, or berries in an old pot with 2 cups of water. Simmer gently to extract the color.
Filter the Liquid: Strain the mixture through coffee filters or cheesecloth into a mason jar.
Create Different Colors: Divide the liquid into bowls. Add baking soda to one bowl and lemon juice to another to produce a range of colors.
Thicken and Store: Pour the colored liquids into small glass bottles. Add a pinch of gum arabic to each bottle to thicken the paint and a whole clove for preservation.
Benefits: Encourages creativity and exploration, teaches about natural pigments and color mixing, provides a hands-on learning experience.
Tips: Experiment with different plant materials to discover a variety of colors. Use fresh plant material for vibrant results.
9. Nature Collages and Sculptures: Bring Nature’s Beauty to Life with Collage Sculptures!
Create stunning nature collages and sculptures. Using leaves, twigs, rocks, and other found materials, you can craft unique and beautiful pieces that celebrate the beauty of the outdoors. This eco-friendly activity fosters creativity, connects you with nature, and provides a hands-on, artistic experience. Perfect for artists of all ages, nature collages and sculptures inspire your artistic journey while promoting sustainability. Ideal for educational projects and creative exploration, this natural art form will deepen your appreciation for the natural world.
Materials: Natural materials (twigs, leaves, seeds, flowers), glue, cardboard or sturdy paper base
Instructions:
Collect Materials: Gather a variety of natural materials.
Design Sculpture: Arrange and glue materials onto a cardboard or paper base to create a 3D collage sculpture.
Display: Allow the sculpture to dry and display your nature art.
Benefits: Encourages spatial awareness, enhances fine motor skills, fosters creativity.
Tips: Experiment with different shapes and textures to create unique and interesting sculptures. Air dry clay works as a great alternative to glue to adhere the sculpture to the base.
Inspiration: Create sculptures that represent animals, lip, or abstract designs using the natural materials.
Modifications:
Younger Learners: Provide pre-cut cardboard bases and assist with gluing materials.
Older Learners: Encourage intricate designs with balancing parts and detailed arrangements, exploring themes or narratives.
10. Upcycled Milk Carton Bird Feeder: Transform Trash into Treasure for Feathered Friends!
Create an upcycled bird feeder using a milk carton or juice carton to attract and nourish local wildlife. This eco-friendly project involves decorating the carton, cutting windows for feeding access, and filling it with bird seed. By transforming household waste into a functional and beautiful bird feeder, you not only provide essential resources for birds but also engage in sustainable crafting. Ideal for nature enthusiasts and DIY lovers, this upcycled bird feeder offers a fun and educational way to support your local ecosystem while promoting recycling and creativity.
Materials: Empty milk or orange juice carton, pair of scissors, marker or Sharpie, fishing twine, bird seed, waterproof markers or paint, tissue paper, waterproof sealant or glue (like Rustoleum Clear Spray)
Instructions:
Decorate: Transform the milk carton into a colorful bird feeder using waterproof markers, paint, or tissue paper. Seal your masterpiece with a waterproof sealant to protect it from the elements.
Create Windows: Draw and cut out windows on three sides of the carton, about 1-2 inches above the bottom. Aim for consistent window sizes for a neat look.
Prepare for Hanging: Poke two holes at the top of the carton, thread fishing twine through, and tie knots to create a loop for hanging.
Fill and Hang: Fill the carton with bird seed and hang it from a tree or porch using the twine.
Benefits: Encourages upcycling, fosters creativity, and provides a delightful way to support local wildlife.
Tips: Place your bird feeder in a visible spot to enjoy birdwatching. Personalize the decoration to attract more birds and add charm to your garden.
Inspiration: Make a variety of feeders with different designs or themes to attract various bird species and add a touch of nature-inspired art to your outdoor space.
Modifications:
Younger Learners: Assist with decorating and filling the carton, while pre-cutting the windows for simplicity.
Older Learners: Encourage intricate designs and explore how different bird seeds might attract various bird species.
11. Animal Leaf Collage: Craft Your Own Nature-Inspired Animal Art!
Create whimsical leaf animal collages using a variety of leaves in different shapes, sizes, and colors. This fun and creative project is perfect for kids and adults alike, offering an engaging way to explore nature and art. By arranging and gluing leaves onto construction paper, you can form delightful animal shapes that showcase the beauty of the outdoors. Ideal for nature-themed crafts, educational activities, and seasonal decorations, leaf animal collages provide a hands-on, eco-friendly crafting experience that fosters creativity and a deeper connection to the natural world.
Materials:
Leaves of various sizes, shapes, and colors (picked from the ground or, with adult permission, carefully snipped from living plants)
Construction paper
White glue
Paper towels
Paint and Paint brush
A heavy, flat object (like a big book or frying pan)
Instructions:
Prepare the Leaves: Rinse the leaves in the sink and let them dry completely. Press leaves between two heavy books. Leaves that are pressed between books for at least a week work best.
Design Your Animal: On a large piece of construction paper, arrange the leaves to form the shape of an animal. Let your imagination run wild! Use different leaves for various parts like feet, eyes, feathers, or claws.
Paint your leaves: An option is to paint the leaves
Glue It Down: Once you’re happy with the arrangement, use white glue on the backs of the leaves to stick them together. Then, glue the entire animal shape onto the construction paper.
Flatten Your Creation: Place a paper towel over the glued leaves and press down with the heavy, flat object. Let it sit for a day or two so the leaves become nice and flat.
Benefits: Encourages creativity, enhances fine motor skills, teaches about nature and artistic expression.
Tips: Experiment with different leaf shapes and colors to create unique and imaginative animals.
Inspiration: Try making a series of leaf animals or create a scene with your animal leaf collage. Hang your artwork in your home to showcase your nature-inspired masterpiece!
Modifications:
Younger Learners: Help with arranging and gluing the leaves and provide pre-snipped leaves for easier handling.
Older Learners: Challenge them to create more detailed or complex animals, and a foreground and background, and experiment with layering leaves for added texture.
12. Stick Action Figures: Craft Unique Characters with Nature’s Sticks!
Create stick action figures using natural materials for a fun and engaging DIY project that’s perfect for both kids and adults. Craft personalized characters from Y-shaped sticks, yarn, and googly eyes, and add a unique touch with fabric for capes, hats, dresses, or any superhero attire your action figure requires. This hands-on, creative activity connects you to nature while sparking imagination and storytelling, making it an ideal family project or educational craft.
Materials:
Y-shaped sticks (for the body)
Shorter straight sticks (for the arms)
Colored yarn
Googly eyes
Hot glue gun
Scissors or craft knife
Instructions:
Gather Your Sticks: Find Y-shaped sticks for the body and smaller straight sticks for the arms. If needed, use a small saw to cut them to the right sizes.
Assemble the Figure: Place the straight stick across the Y-shaped stick to form the arms. Wrap colored yarn around the intersection to secure the arms in place and give your figure some stylish “clothes.”
Create Hair: To make hair, wrap yarn around your hand or a piece of cardboard. Carefully remove the bundle and tie a knot around the middle. Trim the looped ends to create hair.
Add Features: Cut a mouth shape into the Y-shaped stick using a saw or craft knife. Use fabric scraps to make capes, hats, goggles, or any other super hero gear you can imagine. Glue on the googly eyes and hair using a hot glue gun.
Benefits: Encourages creativity and fine motor skills, teaches about materials and construction, and provides a fun, hands-on crafting experience.
Tips: Experiment with different yarn colors and textures to create diverse and unique characters. Add additional decorations like tiny accessories or facial expressions for extra personality.
Inspiration: Create a set of stick action figures with different outfits and hairstyles, or build a whole scene with multiple characters interacting!
Modifications:
Younger Learners: Assist with cutting and assembling, and provide pre-cut sticks and yarn for easier handling.ca
Older Learners: Challenge them to design and build more complex figures with intricate yarn patterns and additional details.
Conclusion
These nature-inspired crafts not only ignite creativity but also foster a profound appreciation for the environment in children. By thoughtfully adapting these engaging activities for different age groups, families can ensure that every member, from toddlers to teenagers, feels included and confident in their creative pursuits.
At Creative Nature Academy, we wholeheartedly encourage families to embrace the great outdoors, using these crafts as a joyful pilgrimage into the natural world. Each project serves as a stepping stone to artistic expression and an authentic connection to nature. As children explore, create, and learn, they cultivate a deeper understanding and respect for the environment, laying the groundwork for a lifelong friendship with nature.
Take these ideas outside and watch as your children’s creativity blossoms amidst the beauty of the natural world. Happy crafting, and may your family's journey with nature be filled with wonder, joy, and endless adventure!