Are you searching for inspiration on how to keep the kids busy? This selection of easy nature crafts for kids is a great place to start!
Nature craft and nature play is such a simple way for kids to explore the world around them and get creative. You don’t need lots of fancy equipment, money or crafting skills to make some really beautiful creations. Making kids crafts from nature is also very eco-friendly, because you’re using natural materials that haven’t been manufactured and can be easily recycled.
And of course, DIY nature crafts are perfect when it comes to getting kids active and keeping them entertained without spending a fortune! Engaging with nature can have a really positive impact on mental health and wellbeing too.
Easy nature crafts for kids
I’ve rounded up 25 lovely kids nature crafts that you can do with materials from your garden or park – perfect for combining some outdoor activity with a fun craft. Scroll down for online resources for nature craft ideas for kids too – plus I’ve also included some inspiring quotes about children and nature to put a smile on your face 🙂
A Year of Nature Craft & Play
You might also like to take a look at my new book, *A Year of Nature Craft & Play. I’ve written it with Becky from A Beautiful Space and it’s filled with nature play ideas- including gardening projects, crafts, fun games, art and science activities. There are 52 budget-friendly kids nature activities, one for every week of the year, all with easy-to-follow instructions and colourful photos. You can find out more about the book in this video:
25+ fun nature crafts for kids
My Natural noughts and crosses game is easy to make using sticks and whatever else you can find in the garden. You can play it again and again too.
These Wishing trees from Baby Budgeting are a lovely way to bring nature into your home and encourage kids to focus on positive thoughts.
My Journey sticks are one of those nature activities for kids that you can do in any season, and they’re brilliant for avoiding boredom on a nature walk. They’re also great for encouraging discussion about nature and how to take care of it.
These Fairy houses from Red Ted Art are just lovely, and kids can have fun decorating and furnishing them once they’re made.
My Homemade bird feeders are lots of fun to make and will give your local wild birds a treat. And my pumpkin bird feeder is a great way to use up your pumpkins after Halloween – or you could make a pumpkin fairy house instead.
These Spring Blossom Sun Catchers from The Gingerbread House are ideal for helping kids learn about the changing seasons. They’re also another great way to bring nature into your home.
You could share the love with some heart-themed crafts; these are particularly great for Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day. My post on heart nature crafts has three simple projects for kids to try, and my Mother’s Day nature crafts post has another five lovely ideas for homemade gifts.
Nature crafts with sticks are a brilliant way to put that ever-expanding stick collection to good use. My Twig-wrapped flower pots can be made in all sizes to suit whatever pots and sticks you have. They make fab gifts for parents, grandparents and teachers too.
Apple printing from Simple Parenting is a super-simple nature art for kids to try. Even toddlers can have a go at it.
My Painted rocks are another good nature craft for very young children – although older kids love doing it too!
My Miniature gardens can be as simple or as complicated as you like, and are great inspiration for a nature treasure hunt.
I love these Leaf Faces from Hodge Podge Days – so easy and guaranteed to raise a smile!
These Leaf Butterflies from Daisies & Pie are ideal for exploring leaf shapes, sizes and colours.
Still on the leaf theme, my mason jar lanterns are a fab way to combine a nature treasure hunt with some indoor crafting.
My Nature clay pressings are a fun way to turn nature treasure into a unique nature inspired art project.
These Nature Paintbrushes from Messy Little Monster let kids explore texture and get creative with a range of natural materials.
My Flower pressing craft is an oldie but goodie – and you can use the pressed flowers to create beautiful artwork.
Mummy…Mummy…Mum! has a whole host of Stick & leaf crafts to try.
My Cookie cutter bird feeders are a fun twist on homemade bird feeders – they look great hanging in the garden too!
If you’re crafting at Easter time, I’ve got four simple projects in my Easter nature crafts post.
This Natural printing craft from Thimble & Twig is a lovely nature craft for kids that gets them really hands-on using leaves and flowers.
My Spooky spider plants are a fab way to combine gardening with craft – they’re particularly good for Halloween!
My DIY bee hotel is a fun nature craft that will also help to make your garden more wildlife friendly.
These Stick magic wands from Little Fish are perfect for little witches and wizards – I want one too!
This DIY Bug House from Emma Reed is another great nature project for kids that will also help local wildlife.
My Veggie creatures let kids have fun with their food – the sillier the creature, the better!
This DIY stepping stone from Red Kite Days lets kids turn nature treasure into a lovely garden ornament.
These Sticky Nature Cards from Craft Invaders are a great way to record a day outside.
My Leaf Prints need very little in the way of preparation, and combine outdoor play with indoor crafting – perfect for those days when the weather suddenly changes.
And finally, if you’d like to make your nature crafting festive, I’ve got two fun pine cone crafts: pine cone tree decorations and mini pine cone Christmas trees.
More fun natural crafts for kids: online resources for nature crafts
If you’d like even more inspiration on nature activities with kids, take a look at these online resources.
Becky at A Beautiful Space has collated some fantastic ideas for nature projects and crafting with nature in summer. I’ve also got roundups for spring nature crafts, autumn nature crafts and winter nature crafts.
I co-host a Nature Crafts & Play Facebook group where we share lots of great tips and ideas for exploring and enjoying nature with children.
My nature craft Pinterest board is full of ideas for kids outdoor crafts, nature play suggestions, nature projects for kids, and crafts with nature as the theme.
You might also like to check out my posts on 60 fun things to do in the garden with kids and inspiring quotes about nature. I’ve also got free printable bucket lists full of ideas for spring, summer, autumn and winter outdoor activities for kids.
And finally, if you like sharing your nature craft pictures on social media, you need my copy & paste nature hashtag lists!
I hope this list of simple nature crafts for kids gives you lots of inspiration on nature activities for kids, and helps you keep the kids busy and creative. Happy crafting!
Inspiring quotes about children and nature
To get you even more inspired about embracing nature play and nature crafts for kids, here are some lovely quotes.
“To raise a nature-bonded child is to raise a rebel, a dreamer, an innovator… someone who will walk their own verdant, winding path.” – Nicolette Sowder
“Forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair.” – Kahli Gibran
“Restore balance. Most kids have technology, school and extracurricular activities covered. It’s time to add a pinch of adventure, a sprinkle of sunshine and a big handful of outdoor play.” – Penny Whitehouse
“Let Nature be your teacher.” – William Wordsworth
“Our challenge isn’t so much to teach children about the natural world, but to find ways to sustain the instinctive connections they already carry.” – Terry Krautwurst
“It’s a wondrous thing how the wild calms a child.” – Unknown
“We must teach our children to smell the earth, to taste the rain, to touch the wind, to see things grow, to hear the sun rise and night fall – to care.” – John Cleal
“Nature is a tool to get children to experience not just the wider world, but themselves.” – Stephen Moss
“No matter how old you get, may you always stop to fill your pockets with smooth stones, empty snail shells & other little treasures.” – Nicolette Sowder
“Your kids will remember the adventures you went on, not the stuff you bought them. Kids outgrow stuff they never outgrow adventures.” – Unknown
“Sad child? Nature. Cranky child? Nature. Bored child? Nature. You’re welcome.” – Penny Whitehouse
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