Nature Inspired Activities

With the weather warming up it is a perfect time for some nature play. Involving nature in play settings is a lovely way to get children take more notice of their natural surroundings and also encourages imaginative play.

Half the fun of nature inspired activities is heading outdoors to collect the items and getting the kids involved.

Have a look below to see some of the creative ideas our playgroups have done!

Nature Wands

Nature wands are absolutely adorable and a very simple activity to make.

Keep it sweet and simple like Gooseberry Hill Playgroup did and decorate sticks with various craft items such as beads and feathers.

Gooseberry Hill Wand Sticks

 

 

 

 

Or head out and collect sticks, leaves, twigs, nuts and whatever else you can find to make these gorgeous wands like Waroona Playgroup.

Waroona PG Nature 02 Waroona PG Nature 01 Waroona PG Nature 05

 

Paintbrushes

Change up art time with these natural paintbrushes. Get the little ones to gather items from outside and then attach them onto sticks with tape to make their very own paintbrushes.  They will love seeing the different patterns and textures each brush makes.

East Kenwick Natural Paintbrushes e1604469972198

Nature Wreaths / Crowns

Wreaths look lovely in the home at any time of year but with Christmas coming up they’d also make lovely decorations.

To make these wreaths you need a flexible twig, vine, straw or grass such as wisteria, grape vines or willow. Then for the decorations anything goes – flowers, leaves and whatever you can find.

Guildford Family Playgroup have done a wonderful job making these beautiful wreaths.

Guildford Nature Wreaths 02 Guildford Nature Wreaths 04 Guildford Nature Wreaths 05 Guildford Nature Wreaths 06

 

 

 

Nature Playdough

Playdough is always a favourite activity enjoyed by little ones so why not combine it with some nature? Incorporating new items, textures and scents is a great sensory activity for young ones plus it looks lovely too!

Both Harvey Playgroup and Waroona Playgroup did this recently.

Harvey PG Nature Playdough Waroona Spring Inspired Playdough

Nature Bracelets

This idea is super simple and all you need is some packing tape and let the kids decorate their ‘bracelets’ however they like. These ones from Gooseberry Hill are very sweet!

Gooseberry Hill Nature Bracelets 01 Gooseberry Hill Nature Bracelets 02

 

 

 

 

Nature Collage

Recently Penny, one of our Development Officers, put on this fantastic activity and it was a hit with all the kids and can be easily adapted at playgroup or at home.

Using cut out piece of clear contact paper and a lovely collection of nature items, let the kids get creative making their own collage.