Kids can get creative outside with dirt, sand, sticks and stones
By: Andrea Mulder-Slater
When the weather outside is delightful, it’s no time to craft inside.
Instead, invite (or shove) your kids out the door and encourage them to get creative with natural – readily available – materials.
Here are five ideas to get you (and them) started.
STICK SCULPTURE
Sticks, fallen leaves, wildflowers, stones, grass and the odd found object (in our case, a scrap piece of wood left over from a construction project), can be combined to make fabulous temporary sculptures on the lawn.
SAND MOSAICS
All you need to make these cool creations is a cookie tray, some sand and a few found objects like seashells, pebbles, and dried beans and lentils. The beauty of these mosaics is – because they are temporary – kids can make them over and over (and over) again.
ROCK ART
Making sculptures out of rocks is all about balance. Simply grab some rocks, stones and pebbles and see what develops.
STONE DRAWING
Left to their own devices, kids will sooner or later figure out that rocks can make marks on other rocks. Encourage them to experiment to see which stones create the best colours.
DIRT PAINTING
You don’t need a lot of supplies to paint with dirt (just add water), but if your kids are looking for something a little more colourful, you can add a little bit of water-based paint or food colouring into the mix.
Ready, set… now get outside!
This content first appeared on YMC with the title: 5 Fun Nature Based Art Activities.
