Face it: Summer is gonezo, folks. And it’s likely that your kids’ weekends have transformed from sunny green days of running/camping/swimming/hanging at the beach to early-dark evenings and crisp afternoons vegging out in front of the TV. But fall is the most gorgeous time of year to get outside; it’s not quite coat weather, but summer’s stifling heat has gone, and the leaves are changing into the most gorgeous hues of the year. So it’s time to ditch the screens and round up the kids for a few more outdoor adventures. But if you’ve got a true indoor kid on your hands, maybe they’re not that psyched about woods-tromping and puddle-jumping.
If you’re dying to get your kids outside before snow and the perpetual darkness of winter falls, but you’re having trouble convincing them to venture into the wild unknown, problem solved. With these fun nature crafts, kids don’t need to be the adventuring type to go on a little (fun, accessible, non-stressful) quest for craft supplies. Here are 15 of our favorite gorgeous nature crafts to entice your kids outside — at least temporarily.
Pressed Flower Phone Case
This pressed flower iPhone case DIY will have any kid (or adult for that matter) excited to get outside and pick some gorgeous flowers to create this truly one-of-a-kind case for their phone. But don't limit this incredible DIY to just flowers; fall leaves or greenery could also make a stunning case.
Leaf-Printed Fabric
This is one of the easiest crafts there is and requires no crafting or artistic skill to make leaf-printed fabric. Find some nicely shaped leaves, add some fabric paint, and voilà! You've got a beautiful printed fabric to make tablecloths, pillowcases and more. If you've got a younger crafter in the bunch, try this on a T-shirt for a truly unique design. After all, leaf printing is the new tie-dye, don't you think?
Pressed Flower Coasters
This pressed flower coaster craft from Brit.co is not only the prettiest thing ever, it brings a little bit of the outdoors inside and brightens dark winter days. So minimal and stylish, all you need is plain glass coasters, some glue, copper wash tape and your favorite flowers.
Pressed Flower Tray
Is it just me, or is this the absolute best pressed flower mandala tray you've ever seen? That was a rhetorical question. Of course it is. You can easily substitute or add leaves, greenery or ferns and customize your tray with the colors, flowers and patterns you choose.
Leaf Trinket Dish
This craft requires two things: leaves (or flowers) and clay. That's it. For the craft-challenged among us, this botanical-print trinket dish is still totally doable, and your kids will love the end result. They can embellish with paint or colored clay, and you might find that these are so easy, they're what everyone in your family will be getting for Christmas for years to come.
Tree Stump Printing
Tree stump relief prints have been popping up a lot lately, and this DIY from House and Home lets you create your own without shelling out the big bucks.
Botanical Mobile
With the blooms of summer rapidly disappearing, this floral mobile is a ridiculously easy and fun way to preserve them year-round. Bonus: You can add a wind chime to this craft for some added magic.
Floral Shortbread Cookies
Baking cookies counts as a craft, right? These utterly radiant shortbread cookies with edible flowers are quite possibly too pretty to eat. Maybe. Your kids will love picking their favorite flowers (just make sure they're edible!) and topping their cookies with them. Because cookies.
Painted Leaf Garland
If your kid is one of those kids who collects things and is always coming home with their pockets stuffed full of leaves or shells or rocks, this painted leaf garland from Twin Dragonfly Designs requires only pretty leaves and a paint pen and leaves you with a rustic fall garland. Sounds like a pretty great way to make something a little more functional out of their leaf collection, and it means you won't find pocketfuls of dead leaf shards in a week.
Branch Candlestick
This craft requires some adult involvement, as it does require a power tool, but it also requires your kids to forage for the best size and shape branches to use as branch candlesticks (maybe have them gather some kindling while they're out there — save yourself a trip). Forked branches add a little flair, and your kids can personalize them with paint or by wrapping them in string.
Birdseed Ornaments
Instead of a craft that brings nature indoors, these birdseed ornaments are a craft you make indoors and bring outside. Believe me, with only a few simple ingredients, you will have a menagerie of wildlife suddenly appearing in your backyard.
Floral Bath Bombs
Not only do these rose, lavender and oatmeal bath bombs smell delicious, they are super-fun to make and might actually encourage your kids to take a bath. Plus, it'll use up some of the leftover flowers and herbs from your garden.
Sun Prints
This sunprints DIY from the crafting queen herself, Martha Stewart, is a great way to bring some of Mother Nature's beauty into your own home, not to mention how cool your kids will find watching the colors become darker as the process completes.
Nature Candleholders
Nothing like a little greenery candleholder DIY and some candlelight to make you feel like your desk is a fort in the woods. Or you're in Jumanji. Either way, it's a win.
Botanical Soaps
This botanical soap craft is so cool and allows you to use not only obvious choices like lavender and eucalyptus but substitute your handpicked flowers, ferns or leaves with your favorite essential oils for the perfect combo. The clear soap allows the flowers and herbs to take center stage.
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