SUMMER ACTIVITIES INSPIRED BY NATURE WALK

When taking walks outside, do you find yourself returning home with pockets full of flowers every time? If your child loves finding nature treasures to bring home, these five crafts are just for you and your little one to try out this summer! They are mostly low-prep and easy to do with things you already have laying around your house or found outside your home. In Montessori, practical life includes care of the environment. When collecting treasures from nature we can use these moments to teach our children about respecting the environment. You may choose, for example, to ask your child to only take flowers that have already fallen to the ground. Alternatively, we may choose to explain to our children that it is okay to pick these flowers from plants as we intend to use them for something. However, you choose to guide your child’s interaction with nature, remember that these are great opportunities for them to build a relationship with the outdoors and a respect for living things.

FLOWER CROWN

Materials Needed:

• Three green branches with leaves on
• Flowers
• String or ribbon (optional)

How to:

• Find three green branches with leaves to weave into a ring shape as your base.
• If needed, tie the ring together with a ribbon
• Pick flowers and tuck into the crown, secure with ribbon if needed.

FLOWER TAPE COLLAGE

Materials Needed

• Cardboard frame
• Clear tape
• Lightweight nature treasures 

How to:

• Cut a frame out of cardboard, optional to leave a vase shape.
• Place clear tape from top to bottom on the back of the frame so the sticky side is facing the front.
• Take a nature walk, as your child picks flowers or other lightweight treasures they can stick them in their frame.
• These look lovely displayed once finished, and if the flowers dry and keep their color they can create a sort of stained-glass look! 

GLUING FLOWERS

Materials Needed:

• Cardboard shape
• Glue
• Flowers or other treasures
• Stamps or crayons (optional)

How to:

• Cut the desired shape with cardboard.
• Take a nature walk and collect flowers or other lightweight nature treasures.
• Your child can glue them onto their board, adding decoration as they wish.

PRESSED FLOWER LANTERNS

Materials Needed:

• Flowers (pressed for 2days-2weeks)
• Tissue paper
• Flour + Water mixture
• Form (balloon or something similar)

How to:

• Collect flowers, and try to choose flowers that will keep their color.
• Press flowers for at least 2 days but up to 4 weeks. I usually lay my flowers between two pieces of parchment paper and place them inside a heavy book with some other heavy books on top! 
• Create your lantern shape by covering a balloon with paper mache (flour and water) and tissue paper.
• After making the base, while it is still wet, add the flowers using the same paper mache solution to stick them on.
• Once dry, place your candle inside and light to enjoy a lovely summer night!

FLOWER SALT DOUGH PRESSING

Materials Needed:

• Homemade salt dough
• Flowers or other nature treasures
• Ribbon (if you want to hang it)

How to:

• Take a nature walk and collect flowers, stones, leaves, or other nature treasures.
• Make the salt dough (scroll to the end for the recipe!**)
• Make a shape with the dough and press your treasures into the dough
• Use a straw to punch a hole and let dry.
• Add a ribbon and hang!

If you don’t already, try building a nature walk into your routine as often as you can. Allowing your child time for unstructured play in nature is proven to reduce stress and help your child’s brain development. Bringing nature back indoors helps to make a beautiful and inspiring space for your child to fill with their wonders and creations. As Maria Montessori said, it is through contact with nature that children can “understand and appreciate the order, the harmony and the beauty in nature.”

**Salt Dough Recipe
Ingredients:

• 2 cups salt
• 1 cup cornstarch
• ⅔ plus ½ cup water)

How to:

• Mix salt and ⅔ cup water, and food coloring if desired, in a medium-sized pot. 
• Heat about 3-4 minutes. 
• Remove from heat and add cornstarch and ½ cup of water.
• Stir quickly.
• If the mixture seems too thin, you can heat it while stirring to thicken.