Toys for children are wonderful. However, the biggest and most exciting playground is nature. Flowers, sticks, stones – nature holds so many little wonders and adventures for children. This sparks creativity and inspires young explorers to come up with new creative ideas. So how about making a proper mud cake? Or maybe a dive into the tempting mud? Sometimes parents get alarmed, but completely unjustified. Constant exposure to germs in nature strengthens the immune system of little messy kids. So why not craft with natural materials once in a while? After all, nature is the greatest source of inspiration for young and old alike. We have put together some extraordinary crafting ideas.
Summery Floral Jewelry from Natural Materials
Flowers are a true gift of nature. With their colorful hues, they beautify every landscape and enchant us with their wonderful scent. Especially no flower is safe from little girls, so they will particularly love this crafting idea: summer jewelry for little princesses! From daisies, children can easily make bracelets, necklaces, or cute hairbands – a childhood classic. For this craft tip, they just need to pick a few daisies. To prevent the necklace from breaking easily later, they should pick daisies with slightly thicker stems. A small hole is poked in the flower stem, preferably with a fingernail. Then the daisies can be threaded one after another, head first, through the hole. In the last step, enlarge the hole in the last flower and thread the first daisy through it. Voilà: the self-made natural jewelry is ready.
Craft Idea for Little Trendsetters: Flower Tattoos
Has your little darling already made countless daisy chains? Then here is a very special idea for children: flower tattoos made from real flowers! On a walk with mom, children can pick their favorite flowers and discover the diversity of nature along the way. The motif must please, after all, the flowers will later adorn their little arms. Then they need to clean the flowers and remove the stems. Next, let the petals dry and then press them. A thick book works well for this. If it needs to be faster, the flowers can alternatively be microwaved for 30 seconds. Once the colorful petals are completely dried and flattened, they are applied to the skin. Eyelash glue works best for this. It has the necessary hold, can be easily removed later, and is safe for the skin. Simply put a small drop on the skin and gently press the flower on.
Little Nature Researchers: Make a Shadow Compass
Nature offers not only many exciting materials but also teaches a lot. For example, it quickly teaches the little ones: where there is sun, there is also shadow. Perfect for our next crafting tip – the shadow compass! This shows little explorers the cardinal directions and encourages experimentation. You don’t need much for this craft: a small stick, two stones, some paper, and very importantly, sun. Now the children can stick the stick into the grass. Place a stone at the tip of the shadow. Thanks to the white paper as a base, the shadow is easy to see. Now some patience is required, wait at least half an hour. Oops! The shadow has moved. The little rascals will be fascinated. Now place the second stone at the new shadow tip. This clearly shows: the line from stone to stone runs from west to east. And logically, the north-south line runs exactly at a right angle. Exciting! As a finishing touch and learning aid, parents can teach children a little mnemonic: Never – Without – Soap – Wash. Learning is fun this way!
Nature Kitchen for Kids: Make Your Own Herbal Balm
We all remember from our own childhood: a small bucket, some water, and lots of flowers, mud, and dirt. Stir a bit more and splash happily – the delicious natural dish is ready. It’s great when children can actually use their homemade concoction later. Our craft idea: brew an herbal balm together with your children! The herbal balm can be used later for small aches and pains. For the balm, you need beeswax, olive oil, and herbs such as lady’s mantle, red clover, and wild rose. On a walk through the forest, the little helpers can pick these herbs. Then they put the herbs into a small pot. Together with the parents, they heat the herbs with some olive oil and two tablespoons of beeswax until everything melts. This process is repeated two to three days. Little tinkerers will be thrilled by this experiment. If you place the pot over a candle, you can even cook outside. Once the liquid has been sufficiently reduced, the balm can be poured into a small container and then refrigerated for eight minutes. After that, it is good for four to six weeks. For small aches and big crocodile tears, the homemade natural herbal balm will surely comfort quickly.
Painted Pebbles by Little Picassos
Painting, crafting, brushing – this can also be done outdoors in the fresh air. Our painted pebbles prove it. First, the children need to search for suitable stones. Ideally, these are nice and smooth. Once the right stones are found, they can start. You need a small, fine brush, some acrylic paint, and clear varnish. First, wash and dry the stones well. Then use the acrylic paint to paint fine lines, dots, or entire patterns. Once the paint is completely dry, simply apply a layer of clear varnish and let it dry. The natural artworks are ready.
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