Last Updated on September 29, 2010

Crafts Ideas From Nature

Making arts and crafts is a lot of fun, especially if you are able to do it with things from nature.  The outside world is filled with so many natural things.  The types of crafts that can be created are unlimited.  Things such as wreaths, jewelry and mirrors are just a few of many examples.  A good field trip outside to collect items found in nature is a great activity for exercise, education and pleasure.  Crafts made from scratch make excellent gifts, and by giving out crafts made from nature, it almost feels like you’re giving away a piece of the Earth.

Here are some craft ideas using items made from Mother Nature:

Seashell Wind Chime

Do your kids collect shells at the beach?  How about making something crafty from those shells?  Next time you walk on the shore, grab as many shells as you possibly can.  Shells tend to be kind of fragile, so it best to have extras just in case a few break.

Next, get ready with your other supplies.  Have some fishing wire, a Phillips head screwdriver, scissors and a curved branch or something similar ready to go.  Once these items are ready, wash out the shells and make sure that they are completely clean.  After that task is completed, use the Phillips screwdriver to bore a hole in the shell.  Children may ask the adults to perform this part.

Measure out some fishing line and cut it.  Then thread it through the hole in the shell and tie a knot to hold it.  Tie the other end of the fishing wire to the curved branch.  You can repeat this activity by adding more shells to the wire or by adding more wires of shells.  That is up to your child’s preference.

You can be as creative as you want to be by decorating the branch or by adding various shell shapes.  In order to complete this craft, grab more fishing line, tie it to both ends of the branch, and hang it from a hook.

Scented Rocks

This activity creates very pretty craft items.  Here’s what you’ll need:

•    ½ cup flour
•    ½ cup salt
•    ¼ teaspoon of essential oil
•    2/3 cup of boiling water
•    Food coloring

First mix the flour and salt.  Add the essential oil, followed by the boiling water.  Add food coloring to the mix.  When the mix has cooled down, shape the mix into balls about an inch in size.  The dough will harden after a few days. Paint faces, flowers, or designs on the “rocks” for a personal touch.

Rock Necklace

This activity is fun and easy, especially for kids who bring home pockets full of special rocks.  All you will need are one of those rocks, some #20 hemp, and a glue gun.  Start by cutting a one yard piece of hemp.  Using the glue gun, attach the hemp to the back of the rock.  Wrap the hemp around the rock a few times and glue to make it secure.  Lastly, tie the ends of the hemp together.