" Learn about nature and its resources in a creative and playful way "
The sun's rays make their way through the dense canopy of leaves in the forest. A magical play of light is reflected on the ferns. The moss on the ground shines in a lush green and the chirping of the birds is almost the only thing that penetrates this calming silence. The hearty laughter of a child rounds off this fascinating scene. A paradisiacal place, just like the one near you. A forest is full of magic and children love to spend time in nature. And if you collect things along the way, you can do crafts with natural materials at home later! We show you some great ideas!
The biggest craft store in the world: nature!
Of course, children love to do handicrafts because they can let their imagination run wild? Craft materials from the online store is not always necessary. Nature gives us all kinds of craft materials in the woods, meadows and country lanes. The natural materials can be perfectly combined with other craft materials to create wonderful works of art when crafting with children.
At any time of year, nature beckons for long walks and you as parents should find a free minute as often as possible to spend time outdoors with your children. Whether you go stalking in spring and watch nature come to life or take a stroll through the lush, flowering meadows in summer. Autumn also entices you to gather natural materials with its colorful leaves, chestnuts and acorns. Of course, winter is not to be forgotten here. Even if the landscape is covered in a thick, white blanket, you can still find little things here and there that you can use for crafting.
Collecting natural materials for a special afternoon of crafting
If you want to have a great afternoon of crafting, you first need to make sure you have enough crafting materials. Crafting with natural materials is not only exciting, but also teaches children how to handle important resources and their properties. Even the youngest children playfully learn about the close interaction between the environment and people.
The sooner a child understands how valuable nature is, with all its treasures great and small, the more naturally they will treat it with care and respect in the future.
Collecting craft materials can be extended into a nice, long walk
On your walk through the woods and meadows, you will need a container in which you can collect natural materials as well as a watchful eye.
Even if you don't yet have any ideas or visions of what you ultimately want to create together with your children. The best ideas often come to you when you have all the beautiful materials in front of you.
Crafting directly in nature - being artistically active in the open air
Of course, crafting with natural materials doesn't necessarily have to take place indoors. Get active during your walk and try to conjure up something from the pieces of jewelry you have collected. Above all, crafting in nature means approaching it with a lot of love and spontaneity.
You can also make wonderful crafts during your walk, directly in nature
Tip - create a natural picture
Painting with ink and paint is one thing. Creating a picture using only natural materials is quite another. It's not about perfection or precision. Young children quickly learn to appreciate the variety that nature provides.
- Start by creating a picture frame using sturdy branches and sticks. Think together about the theme of the picture. It can also be an imaginative picture. Mandalas made from leaves and twigs or a small sailing ship are not too difficult and can also be created wonderfully with small children.
- For a ship, for example, put a number of small twigs together to form a hull. A thicker branch or twig forms the mast for the ship. Various leaves form the sail itself.
- Or you can create a nest for the forest dwellers. Collect moss and create a base. Use small twigs and branches to create a nest into which you can now let imaginative forest creatures move in.
Painted leaves make good stamps
Ideas for crafting with natural materials in combination with beads
At this point, we would like to give you a few more great ideas and suggestions. Use them as inspiration and expand them with your own ideas. In addition to the natural materials craft beads and colorful strings have proven their worth. In combination, these produce small masterpieces.
Wall decorations made from beads and woven grasses
The meadow offers you real treasures when it comes to crafting with natural materials. For this project, you will need as many long grasses as possible, some colorful string and wooden beads. Thin craft wire is also important and you're ready to go.
- Form a circle from the craft wire. Wrap a second layer of wire around it to ensure sufficient stability.
- Now stretch thin threads using the wire to create a kind of spider's web. Secure the ends firmly to the edge. You can now wrap cords around the outer ring.
- Now thread the grasses through the individual strips as you wish. If you have different grasses (or some straw) to hand, feel free to change the material.
- Weave thin ropes from colorful strings, which can be placed between the rows of grasses as an accent.
