Good Morning everyone. The rainy weather sure was nice yesterday. Looks like today is going to be beautiful. Since we have been celebrating Earth day all week I thought it would be fun and do some nature crafts. Here are some of my favorites!!
Trunk Show:
You can brighten your yard with this temporary art project that highlights (but doesn't harm) a favorite tree. First soak sidewalk chalk in water for a couple of hours to soften it, then go outside and choose a tree that's looking a little drab -- the smoother the bark, the better. Rub the chalk on the trunk to give it a coat of color. Smooth out the chalk and blend the hues with a large paintbrush and water. You'll have your own rainbow tree in your yard!!
Birdseed Cafe:
Heres another great way to feed our feathered friends. This simple nature project lets you give feathered friends a treat. From corrugated cardboard, cut a large star with a circle inside. Poke a hole and add a loop of twine for hanging. Spread peanut butter on both sides of the star. Working over a rimmed baking sheet, coat the star with birdseed. You can eve use some of your favorite cookie cutters to make some awesome birdseed shapes.
Twig Raft:
Create a playtime raft that really floats with just a few natural twigs from your own backyard.Have your kids search your backyard for twigs. Use outdoor trimmers to cut the twigs to the same size. Using jute or hemp cord, weave the ends of the twigs on both sides to tie them together. Attach a twig in an upright position for the mast. Cut a sail from colorful felt. Fold the felt in half, punch a hole in the middle, and slide it over the mast. Take some water in a container and see if it floats. Pretend to be pirates and sail your ships across the sevens seas.
Bug-Collector Bottel:
This creative craft doubles as a fun science project when it becomes an indoor habitat for your child's favorite insect friends. Rinse a plastic bottle and let it dry. Draw a rectangle on one side of the bottle and cut it out with a knife. Cut wire screen to cover the opening (but don't attach it yet). Trim a colorful piece of foam to fit around the screen. Let your child fill the bottle with sticks, rocks, and other objects to make a habitat for his bug collection. Use glue to attach the screen and frame over the opening. Twist off the lid to let the bugs into their new home.
Homemade terrarium:
We have one of these and I can’t wait to see how well it does. All you need is a glass jar, dirt, moss, and some small plants. Here is a really cool article of a man that made on in 1972 and its still alive!!
https://www.boredpanda.com/sealed-bottle-garden-david-latimer/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=organic
There are tons of amazing crafts you can do with nature. Just get outside and have fun. Make sure you tag us on our ERC Facebook page with whatever you create. Have fun today.
Tiffany
Program Supervisor