The summer is creeping up on us. We’re about to weather some of the hottest days and those long lazy days are bound to become restless as your list of activities grows thin. So we’re here to help! Below are 12 nature-inspired crafts for those long, lazy summer days.

Rock Painting

This easy craft is so versatile and perfect for all ages. Lay down some newspaper or paint drop cloths, grab all the extra craft paint laying around the craft cabinets and go for a quick walk to gather some intriguing rocks to transform into art!

Bonus points if you then spread the rocks around local parks and playgrounds to add some extra color to our surroundings!

Painted Leaves

Kinda like the painted rocks, this one’s an easy craft to throw together. Everyone can participate and get creative with turning leaves into animals, landscapes, little critters, abstract masterpieces, and more. Collect fallen leaves from around your neighborhood and get to creating!

Bonus points if you look up the leaves and learn a little about the trees they come from before painting them.

Wood Fruits and Veggies

This one might be for the older kids, or little ones might just need extra help. But there are lots of ways to create carrots, beets, lemons, oranges, grapes, cucumbers, and so much more out of painted beads. Grab various sizes of plain wood beads, ribbon or string (green for leaves is best), and craft paint to match your favorite fruit and veg. 

Beaded Corn

An easier option for littles is to go the pipe cleaner and bead route to create adorable corn! A handful of pipe cleaners strung with beads to create the variations in corn kernel colors are then connected to form the corn shape and tied off with a brown pipe cleaners. 

Easy Watercolor Tree

Watercolor is such an easy medium for kids of all ages – and it cleans up really well! Splash some water on a clean piece of paper, then add as many colors as you like. Finish off with brown marker branches to create a colorful tree.

Leaf-Print Butterfly

Using objects found in nature as stamps is not a new concept, so this adorable leaf stamped butterfly is a craft you may be familiar with. Paint one side of leaves that are similar sizes, hydrangea leaves might work really well, and lay them out in the shape of a butterfly’s wings. Add a small stick for the body and draw antennae with a marker.

Pinecone Bird Feeder

An oldy but a goody, the pinecone bird feeder is a cute way to connect with nature and build a little sanctuary for birds. Collect your fallen pine cones, securely tie a string around the top of each pinecone and smother them with peanut butter. Then roll the pine cones in bird seed and hang from high branches or a good spot on the patio.

Pressed Flower Bookmarks

This craft is a little less immediate, but it’s easy to press flowers and then come back to them to create these bookmarks. Using thin cardboard or construction paper, pressed flowers, contact paper, and some string, these bookmarks come together as pretty homemade presents or keepsakes for avid readers!

Homemade Herb Candles

What smells better than fresh herbs? Wouldn’t it be wonderful to get that smell year round? Well, you can! Make your own herb candles using herbs straight from your garden, a jar, wicks, and some beeswax melts. This is an easy afternoon craft that makes a great gift!

Shell Garland or Windchime

Whether you’ve already been to the beach this year or are still planning your trip, here’s a fantastic craft for all those collected shells. Simply sort out the shells with small holes (or gently drill a hole in shells) and string them up using twine or ribbon to create a shell garland or windchime.

Leaf Threading

Leaf threading is a great activity for little hands that need to practice their fine motor skills. Simply grab some string or twine and punch holes in some leaves. Have your little one string the leaves onto the twine like beads. Hang the garlands up as decor, or return the leaves outside when you’re done.

Stick Stars

These adorable stars are great for older kids to assemble and hang around the house. All you need is some yarn or string and as many smaller sticks as you can find. Arrange the sticks into a star shape and then wrap well to secure them in place. Use some extra string to create a way to hang them up. These would also be a fantastic craft for winter as Christmas tree decorations!

 

The summer might only have a few precious weeks to it, but there is plenty of time to fill with engaging and fun nature-inspired crafts and activities for the kids. Use these crafts as down-time activities during the school year, too!

Have a nature-inspired craft you want to share with your fellow American moms? Become a contributor!

 

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