Earth Day Crafts for Kids: Recycle and Repurpose Objects from Nature

Our children must learn about the earth and about the precious heritage mankind has been given. We need to not only acquaint them with the land, but we must let them know that all this was NOT made just for us humans to use - and yes, sometimes abuse - but to savor all our resources and appreciate all nature's bounty. Just as we depend on the land, the land depends on us to keep it clean, to protect all its inhabitants, and insure that generations to come will respect what the earth has given. This is the premise of Earth Day every April 22^nd. Use this special day to make Earth Day crafts for kids from materials that are collected on walks whether in a wooded area or from the beach. Recycle and repurpose (reuse) these items in the crafts below.

A Photo Frame From Nature

Materials:

• Twigs

• String or twine

• Glue (a glue gun works best)

• Photo attached to cardboard

• Adult supervision for the younger children

Procedure:

1. On your walk, collect two bunches of small twigs.

2. The first bunch (about six to eight twigs) should be about 2-inches longer than your photo. The other bunch should be about 2-inches wider than your photo.

3. Arrange the twigs so that they surround the picture (which has been mounted to a piece of cardboard) and extend outward about an inch in each direction.

4. Tie the twigs at each corner using twine, making an X pattern.

5. Glue the picture onto the back of your twig frame.

6. Tie a small loop of string to the top bunch of twigs to hang the finished portrait.

Create a Gift From the Sea

Do you remember taking a walk with Mom or Dad and collecting seashells along the beach? It's time to bring out those shells and make a neat paperweight. What a perfect gift, using nature's finds!

Materials:

• Plaster of Paris

• Water

• Food coloring (optional)

• Shaped container

• Seashells, an assortment

Procedure:

1. Mix a batch of Plaster of Paris following the directions on the package. You can color the plaster with a few drops of food coloring if you wish.

2. Pour this mixture into a plastic container, any shape you prefer.

3. Encourage the kids to press the shells into the plaster mixture. Let them use their choice of design.

4. Allow this to harden completely.

5. Carefully remove the plaster paperweight from the container.

Pressed Flower Bookmark

Dried flowers are great for a variety of projects; decorating almost anything. Here is an easy way to press them from nature.

Materials:

• Pressed flowers

• Paper towels

• Clear adhesive paper

Procedure:

1. The easiest method to press flowers is to set the blossoms between paper towels and lay a heavy object on top.

2. Most flowers will be dry in a few days. Seal a flower or two between two square pieces of clear adhesive paper. Make sure all air bubbles are out and these can be worked out using fingers or a wooden craft stick.

3. With scissors, trim the excess paper around the flowers to make a rectangular shape that will be the perfect bookmark.

4. Decorate the bookmark with a ribbon that is threaded through a hole at the top. The bookmark can go inside the book page while the ribbon or yarn hangs out the binder.

These three Earth Day crafts for kids have been family favorites. Crafts from your children are also gifts from the Earth who provided the materials. Have discussions with your kids about how wonderful nature is and why we need to enjoy and preserve it.

Source:
Personal Experience
Pressed Flowers