As a family, we try to get out and enjoy the great outdoors at least once a week. The benefits to our health and wellbeing are huge and it also provides us with lots of exciting exploration. We dress for the weather, pack our supplies and get our dose of fresh air!
Whether it's a day at the beach, a walk in the woods, or playing on the park, there's an abundance of beautiful natural objects to explore. Shells, twigs, feathers; You name it, we have it in our natural treasures box at home. From being a baby, C's enjoyed finding new things when we are out and about and we have let him take some things home with him. Conscious of not taking a lot from nature, we limit him to the number of things that we collect, as well as talking about the animals that might need those things. As he is getting older, we are encouragng him to study these items whilst we are at a place; To make sketches or rubbings, and to take photos too.
We use and re-use our natural treasures when playing and creating art, crafts and keepsakes. Here are 5 activities that we enjoy doing:
- Paint shells and print the patterns onto kitchen roll pieces or coloured tissue paper. We then use the sheets to make collages.
- Make a bug house for your garden using an old plant pot. Have fun decorating the plant pot and fill it with twiggs, straw and rocks. You can also use toilet roll cardboard tubes, used paper straws and burnt matches to save on your recycling and rubbish.
- Study bird feathers and try to match them to birds. We love our 'Out and About Bird Spotter' book by the National Trust.
- Paint pebbles and shells to decorate the garden. They also provide homes for insects that like to hide between the gaps.
- Make models using playdough or clay with twigs, stones and conkers. Dig out some pipe-cleaners, pom poms and googly eyes from your craft box too!
When you are out and about on your adventures; Talk about the different shapes, colours and textures that you can see around you. These are the things that inspire Bohemian art work. In our Bohemian Art box, we explore natural objects, with a close focus on feathers and art work that you can make with them.
We would love to see your art work that has been inspired by nature's treasures. You can email your photos to info@rainbowtreebox.com, or tag us in your photos on social media, using the hashtag: #rainbowtreebox
