38 Nature Crafts For Kids: Project Ideas For Classroom And Home

Today’s busy, screen-filled world makes it extremely difficult to get kids out and about in nature. However, spending time outdoors can provide many benefits. The beautiful environment can be intriguing, and it can decrease anxiety while increasing one’s imagination and creativity.

So encourage your kids to go on an adventure and gather natural objects and materials to create some beautiful, interesting, and fun pieces of art. Use these 38 suggestions to assist you in choosing the perfect nature crafts for your kids to create!

1. Twiggy Owl Craft

Have your kiddos pick up sticks to build these twiggy owls! Simply provide them with a cardboard owl template and prompt them to glue some twigs to the cardboard. For the final touch, invite them to stick on some googly eyes to bring their owls to life.

Learn More: Learning and Exploring Through Play

2. Leaf Faces

Your learners will create cute characters with this imaginative craft. Task them with collecting items in nature. Then, let their imaginations run wild as you encourage them to use their natural resources to build these cheerful faces! 

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3. Woodland Animal Headbands

Here’s an engaging activity for all those budding fashionistas in your class! Start by providing your littles with headbands before challenging them to build woodland animal headgear by gluing on branches and pinecones. 

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4. Nature Crowns

Transform your kids into outdoor royalty with these nature crowns! Engage them in cutting up strips of brown cardboard and then allow them to decorate their crown template with acorns, leaves, flowers, and more.

Learn More: Laura Radniecki

5. Rainbow Leaf

Inject some color into your classroom with these rainbow leaf prints! Supply your little ones with leaves and then invite them to color in each leaf using washable markers. Before the ink dries, prompt them to press their leaf onto paper to create a kaleidoscope of colorful leaves. 

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6. Stick Family

In this activity, your learners will create an entire community of stick people. Simply start by having them glue twigs together to build the bodies of their stick people. Then, invite them to use colorful yarn to wrap some stylish clothing onto their sticks before gluing on googly eyes to bring their stick family to life!

Learn More: Mini Mad Things

7. Splatter Painted Pine Cones

Here’s an inexpensive craft that’s worth all the fun! Allow your kiddos to create radiant pinecones by having them use paint brushes in different ways to splatter the pinecones with paint. Encourage them to use various methods to splash on the paint for an engaging day of crafts. 

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8. Clay Imprints

These clay imprints will make beautiful household decorations. Task your little ones with firmly pressing leaves into clay to create an impression. Then, leave the clay to dry before prompting them to decorate their clay ornaments using paint and glitter! 

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9. Yarn and Stick Christmas Trees

Get your pupils into the Christmas spirit with these Christmas tree crafts! Invite them to glue 3 sticks together into a triangular shape and then have them wrap some green yarn around their shape. Finally, invite them to glue on mini pom poms or colorful buttons to complete their holiday-inspired craft.

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10. Leaf Luminary

Create beautiful nature lanterns with just a few household items! Start by guiding your learners in cutting a plastic bottle in half. Then, encourage them to sandwich some leaves between two sheets of wax paper before you assist them in sealing them together using an iron. To complete their leafy lanterns, have them roll up the wax paper which will then be attached to the bottle.

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11. Pine Cone Reindeer

Your kiddos will love making these adorable pine cone reindeer! Encourage them to stick googly eyes, a red pom pom, and twigs to their pine cones to create this delightful craft – perfect for placing next to a Christmas tree. 

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12. Stick Fairies

Introduce your littles to the whimsical world of stick fairies! Task them with painting a stick and then have them draw on some features to create their fairy’s face. To complete the design, allow them to glue on petals to create a skirt and leaves to create the wings.

Learn More: Mother Natured

13. Leaf Critters

Your learners will have a blast creating these quirky leaf critters! Simply allow them to paint some leaves to form the base colors for their creature. Then, invite them to add on some fascinating features to bring their critter to life. 

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14. Leaf Owl

Gather your kiddos around for this cool nature project! Task them with sticking brown and yellow leaves to a paper owl template. Once they’ve added the leafy feathers, have them glue on paper cutouts of a beak and eyes to complete their creative craft. 

Learn more: JDaniel4’s Mom

15. Twig Star Ornaments

Add a touch of glamor to your classroom with these stunning star-shaped ornaments! Challenge your students with gluing sticks together to create a star shape before having them use paint to add a pop of color. Then, prompt them to wrap their stars with colorful rafia to compliment the natural feel. 

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16. Nature Wreath

This evergreen wreath is the perfect holiday craft idea! Supply your kids with cardboard wreath templates and then encourage them to fill their wreaths with pine leaves and small berries. 

Learn More: Little Pine Learners

17. Nature Weaving

Have your little learners weave together these natural masterpieces! Encourage them to lash together four sticks to create a frame before having them string yarn across the frame to form a loom. Finally, get those creative juices flowing by challenging them to weave in some natural treasures of all shapes and colors.

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18. Marble Acorn Necklace

Your kiddos will invent trendy accessories as they craft these awesome acorn necklaces! Task them with attaching string to an acorn cap and then allow them to glue a marble of their choice into the cap to finish off their fashionable pieces.

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19. Dreamcatcher

Here’s a fun-filled craft that your students can take home! Invite them to lash together sticks to create an outline for their dreamcatchers. Then, guide them in weaving string onto their frames to create an intricate dreamcatcher lattice.

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20. Nature Frame

This rustic craft will make the perfect setting for cherished memories! Simply provide your learners with blank cardboard frames before prompting them to wind twine around it. They will then adorn their frame with flowers, leaves, and more to create a heartfelt nature frame.

Learn More: Little Pine Learners

21. Fairy Hat Autumn Tree

Get your kiddos excited for Fall with this creative project! Engage them in painting acorn caps to create some fanciful “fairy hats”. Next, have them stick some twigs onto canvas before prompting them to fill the twigs with their whimsical fairy hats to create a tree filled with Autumn-inspired hues.

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22. Fairy House Painted Rocks

Get your littles’ imaginations whirling as they create these adorable fairy houses! Invite them to glue a small piece of tree bark to their rocks to create a roof. Then, allow them to add on some doors and windows using a variety of colorful paints.

Learn More: Rhythms of Play

23. Pine Cone Mobile

Adorn your schoolyard with these stunning pine cone mobiles! Challenge your kids with wrapping yarn around pine cones before inviting them to thread on some sparkly beads. Once finished, allow them to hang their mobiles around the schoolyard for all to admire. 

Learn More: Happy Hooligans

24. Nature Walk Bracelet

This super cute activity is a fantastic way to keep your learners entertained during a nature walk! Simply start by placing duct tape around their arms, making sure the sticky side is facing out. Then, encourage them to appreciate what nature has to offer as you task them with finding natural treasures to stick onto their bracelet.

Learn More: Alpha Mom

25. Pine Cone Owl

Here’s another adorable activity where your kids will create pine cone owls! Start by having them glue googly eyes into acorn caps and allow them to place them on their pine cone to create owl eyes. They will then complete their craft by adding some leaves to create wings and colored paper to create their beaks and feet. 

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26. Painted Nature Rocks

Spruce up your schoolyard garden with these charming painted rocks! Invite your kiddos to pick up their paint brushes as they use vibrant colors to decorate rocks with adorable animals or miniature landscapes. 

Learn More: Rhythms of Play

27. Seed Mosaic

Sow the seeds of learning in this creative activity! Simply start by providing your learners with seeds of all shapes, sizes, and colors. Then, invite them to go to town as they glue their seeds onto sturdy cardboard to create abstract designs and vivid patterns.  

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28. Flower Press

This versatile activity makes for a memorable crafting lesson that’s all about nature! Task your little ones with collecting colorful flowers before having them flatten each one using a heavy book. They’re then free to create dazzling artwork as you encourage them to glue their flowers onto canvas, cards, or even bookmarks. 

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29. Birdseed Ornaments

Have your kids create stunning treats for local wildlife that’ll also brighten up any outdoor setting! Engage them in forging birdseed ornaments by having them mix together gelatin, corn syrup, and birdseed. Prompt them to place the mixture into cookie cutters and once dry, allow them to hang their tasty ornaments around the schoolyard for their feathered friends to enjoy. 

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30. Nature’s Paintbrushes

Get creative with some unconventional tools! Challenge your little artists with assembling unique paintbrushes using twigs, leaves, or flowers. Once they’ve secured their invention with a string, invite them to dip their nature brushes in paint before brushing onto paper to create a wonderful world of textured patterns.

Learn More: Mas and Pas

31. Nature Collage

Your students will fashion collages with a natural twist in this crafty activity! Simply send them out into the schoolyard to collect leaves, pebbles, or tree bark. Then, invite them to stick their items together to create a unique collage that’s totally inspired by nature.

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32. Bark Rubbing Art

Embrace the outdoors as your kiddos head outside to create tree bark art! Task them with placing a piece of paper against a tree before rubbing on the paper with crayons to reveal its intricate patterns. 

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33. Sun Print Art

Here’s a crafty activity that’s perfect for those sunny days! Allow your littles to place objects like leaves and flowers on sunprint paper. After a bit of sun exposure and a quick rinse with water, their canvases will reveal beautiful sunkissed imprints.

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34. Twig Picture Frame

Your learners will create cherished family keepsakes in this hands-on activity! Engage them in breaking up twigs before having them use glue to stick them all around a frame to create a rustic feel.

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35. Dried Fruit Ornaments

Invite your kids to create aromatic ornaments out of fruit! Guide them in slicing up oranges, lemons, or apples, and then place the fruit in an oven to dry. Once dried, allow them to apply a layer of Modge Podge before sprinkling on some glitter. Encourage them to then hang up their ornaments by having them glue a ribbon to their floating wonders.

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36. Nature Pottery

Here’s a functional craft that’s perfect for capturing the delicate beauty of nature! Challenge your little ones with molding small bowls out of air-drying clay and then prompt them to press flowers into their clay molds, before sealing with a layer of Modge Podge. 

Learn More: Little Pine Learners

37. Seashell Wind Chimes

Bring the sounds of the sea to your schoolyard with a seashell wind chime. To do this, start by drilling small holes in various shells and one big starfish. Then, encourage your kiddos to string together the shells and some beads before attaching to the big starfish. Once hung, these chimes will turn every breeze into a soothing ocean melody!

Learn More: eHow

38. Feather Bookmarks

Combine literature and nature in this elegant project! Simply task your littles with using a crayon to trace feathers onto paper and then allow them to fill their feathers with dazzling watercolor paint before leaving it to dry. Afterward, laminate their dazzling designs and have them cut out their bookmark as you encourage them to place it in their favorite book. 

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