There’s something magical about using nature to create crafts with the kids. Whether it’s conkers, leaves, or pinecones, turning simple finds into art is a lovely way to spend time together while connecting with the outdoors. Plus, it’s free and encourages little ones to notice the beauty all around them.
Here are some of our favorite DIY craft ideas using nature finds that are easy, fun, and guaranteed to bring out everyone’s creative side.
Starting with a Nature Hunt
Before the crafting begins, we always start with a nature hunt. It’s the perfect excuse to get outside, and the kids love collecting their “treasures.” Armed with a small bag each, they head off to gather conkers, leaves, twigs, pinecones, and anything else that catches their eye.
If it’s a rainy day, you can still make use of old collections or even dried leaves you’ve pressed earlier. The fun part is letting the kids choose their materials and imagine what they’ll make.
Leaf Art That Brings Autumn Inside
Leaves are one of the easiest materials to work with, especially in autumn when they’re in every shade of red, orange, and yellow.
- Leaf Rubbing: This one’s a classic for a reason. Place a leaf under a piece of paper and let the kids rub over it with crayons. The veins create beautiful patterns, and they’ll love experimenting with different colors.
- Leaf Animals: Arrange leaves to create animal shapes. For example, an oval leaf can become the body of a hedgehog, with smaller leaves making up its spines. Glue them onto paper and draw on extra details like eyes and noses.
- Leaf Garland: String leaves together with thread to make a colorful garland. Hang it up to bring a bit of the outdoors inside.
Pinecone Crafts for Texture and Fun
Pinecones are fantastic for crafting because of their texture and versatility.
- Pinecone Owls: Use felt or paper to cut out wings, eyes, and beaks, then glue them onto pinecones to create adorable owls.
- Painted Pinecones: Let the kids paint pinecones in bright colors or cover them in glitter for a festive touch. These look lovely as table decorations or hung on the Christmas tree.
- Mini Pinecone Trees: Turn pinecones upside down and paint them green to create mini Christmas trees. Add small beads or sequins as ornaments.
Conker Creations for Autumn Fun
There’s nothing more satisfying than finding shiny, smooth conkers on a crisp autumn walk. Once you’ve got a collection, the crafting possibilities are endless.
- Conker Animals: Use a marker pen to draw faces on conkers, or glue on googly eyes to create little creatures. Toothpicks can be added for legs or arms.
- Conker Necklaces: Drill small holes through conkers and thread them onto string to make necklaces or bracelets. The kids love wearing their creations!
- Conker Spiders: Stick pipe cleaners into the sides of a conker to create spider legs. Add googly eyes for a creepy-cute effect.
Sticks and Twigs Turned Into Art
Twigs and sticks are some of the most versatile materials you can find. They’re great for crafting frames, shapes, and decorations.
- Twig Frames: Glue twigs together to create a rustic frame. You can leave it plain or decorate it with paint, string, or other nature finds. Add a favorite photo or drawing to complete it.
- Twig Stars: Use small sticks to create star shapes. Tie them together with string or glue at the points. These look beautiful hung up or used as tree decorations.
- Nature Weaving: Use a sturdy Y-shaped branch as a loom. Wrap string back and forth across the open space, then weave in leaves, grasses, and flowers for a colorful nature-inspired piece of art.
Stone and Rock Painting
Stones and rocks are perfect for painting, and kids love turning them into little works of art.
- Rock Animals: Paint stones to look like animals, such as ladybirds, turtles, or even penguins.
- Inspirational Rocks: Write or paint positive messages on rocks. These can be left in the garden, given as gifts, or even hidden for others to find during a walk.
- Garden Markers: Paint rocks with the names of herbs or veggies and use them as markers in your garden.
Seasonal Wreaths Made from Nature
Wreaths are a fun way to showcase all your nature finds in one beautiful piece.
- Base: Start with a circular frame made from flexible twigs or wire.
- Decorating: Attach leaves, pinecones, berries, or even dried flowers using string or glue.
- Finishing Touches: Add a ribbon or bow to hang it on your door.
Pressed Flower Creations
If you’ve pressed flowers in advance, they can be used for all sorts of crafts.
- Pressed Flower Cards: Glue pressed flowers onto card stock to create stunning homemade cards for birthdays or thank-you notes.
- Framed Flowers: Arrange pressed flowers between two pieces of glass or plastic and frame them. It’s a lovely way to preserve your finds.
- Bookmarks: Use pressed flowers to decorate strips of card, then laminate them to make durable bookmarks.
Tips for Crafting with Nature Finds
- Choose Kid-Friendly Tools: Depending on the craft, you might need glue, scissors, or paints. Make sure everything is safe and easy for little hands to use.
- Prep Your Materials: Wash and dry nature finds before you start to remove dirt or bugs.
- Encourage Creativity: There’s no right or wrong way to craft. Let the kids lead and see where their imagination takes them.
- Store Leftovers: If you collect more than you use, keep the extras in a box for another day.
Why We Love Nature Crafts
Crafting with nature finds is such a lovely way to connect with the outdoors and spark creativity. It’s not just about making something pretty; it’s about the process—getting outside, collecting materials, and seeing what you can create together.
Every time we do a project like this, the kids surprise me with their ideas. One twig turns into a magic wand, a pile of leaves becomes a hedgehog, and a pinecone suddenly has a personality. It’s messy, fun, and exactly what rainy afternoons or lazy weekends are made for.
If you haven’t tried crafting with nature finds yet, give it a go. You might just find it becomes a new family tradition.