| 2004 |
![]() Nature Net News Archivee October - Bird Feeder November - Medicine Bag December - Growing Crystals |
2005 |
January - Snow Critters February - Snow Catcher March - No Bake Maple Cookies April - Make a Plant Press May- Make a May Day Basket June - Underwater Viewer July - Solar Prints August - Cress Heads September - Leaf Prints October - Origami Cranes November - Nature Journaling December - Make a Survival Kit |
2006 |
January - Ice Lantern February - Snowy Owl March - Gray Wolf Mask April - How Does your Garden Grow? May - Make a Rain Gauge June - Memory Jar July - Bug Hotel August - Wired Star September - Bark Casting October - Sock Bat November - Homemade Bread December - Rolled Bees Wax Candles |
2007 |
January - Frozen Wreath February - Bird Feeder March - Binoculars April - Worm Refrigerator Cookies May - Moon Cookies June - Chenille Bumble Bee July - Butterfly Flutter-by August - Frog Jumper Puppet September - Acorn Necklace October - Pumpkin Carved Naturally November - Constellation Canister December - Recycled Crayons |
| 2008 |
January - Seed Feed for the Birds February - Skunk Suit March - Marbled Eggs April - Go Organic for Earth Day May - Sprouting Necklace June - Garlic Mustard Pesto July - Homemade Fishing Rod August - Grass Baskets September - Apple Prints October - Solar Cooker November - Fossil Fever December - Pine Cone Fire Starters |
2009 |
January - Snow Accessories February - Twigy Creatures March - Lion & Lamb Calendar April - Bald Eagle Pin May - Froggy Friends June - Hiking Necklace July - Coffee Filter Flowers August - Bagel Suns September - Sprouting Socks October - Pom Pom Spider November - Leaf Turkey December - Edible Crystal Look-a-likes |
2010 |
January - Nature Journal February - Moon Surface March - Leaf Prints April - Mushroom on a Stick May - Flowerpot June - Glowing Firefly July - Hummingbird Nectar August - Underwater Diorama September - Stained Glass Leaf October - Window Watcher November - Pinecone Birdfeeder December - Finding Fluorescence |
2011 |
January - Hand Eagle February - Poppin' Groundhogs March - Water Cycle Bracelet April - Sun Hanger May - Crane Mobile June - Froggy Faces July - Paper Plate Puppet August - Rock Buddies September - Wild Grass Key Chain October - Paper Puppet November - Rice Krispie Planet December - Trail Blazer |
| 2012 |
January - Coffee Ground Fossils |
Specials | Special #1 - Build a Bug | ||||
| November 2004 | Medicine
BagA pouch made of deer skin and filled with items believed to have medicinal properties were a common accessory to many Wisconsin Natives' attire. These "charms", were use as a means of assuring good fortune in hunting, fishing, trapping, gambling, war, and love. They also were believed to protect people from disease or bodily injury. You can make your Medicine Bag by cutting felt or leather into an 8 by 18 inch piece. Fold the bottom edge of the felt up 6 1/2 inches to form a pocket. Next, machine or hand sew the sides together to seal the pocket's sides and fold the extra material from the top down to form a flap (similar to an envelop). If you would like a handle, sew an 18 to 30 inch piece of ribbon to the top sides of the medicine bag. Now you can decorate your medicine bag with beads (try drawing out a pattern first). Native Americans used the following items inside their pouches: Flagroot: to keep away snakes. Dogbane: to protect against evil influence or against bad medicine. Seneca snakeroot: for safety on a journey. Milkwort: for general health. (Nature Craft idea from Gay Miller's 5th and 6th Grade Students 2000-2001 School Year and Medicine Bag content list from Milwaukee Public Museum) back to craft index |
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| December 2004 |
Growing
CrystalsDid you know you can grow crystals right in your own house? A crystal is formed when a mineral (like salt) solidifies out of a liquid mixture. Crystals' atoms are arranged in a regular repeating pattern. That's what makes them smooth with sharp corners. Many different minerals can grow into crystals. You can grow salt crystals by mixing 3/4 cup warm water and 1/2 cup salt (not all of the salt will dissolve). Now, pour the solution into a glass jar. Tie a string to the middle of a pencil and with the pencil laying across the top of the jar, hang the string so it dips into the solution. Crystals grow differently in a hot place than they do in a cool place. You can pick where you want your crystals to grow or you can try both! Leave the solution undisturbed for several hours. Then, check to see what's happening. Make a drawing and note the time, temperature and location. Check in on your crystals each day! (You can try this same experiment with 1/4 cup alum and 1 cup hot water.) (Nature Craft idea from: "Geology Crafts For Kids: 50 Nifty Projects to Explore the Marvels of Planet Earth" by Alan Anderson, Gwen Diehn & Terry Krautwurst) back to craft index |
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| January 2005 | Snow-CrittersEveryone knows how to make a snowman, but what about snow critters? Start with a snowball, roll it along the ground and build your own menagerie of outdoor creatures – rabbits, squirrels, foxes, bears, etc. Use stones, old leaves and twigs for eyes, ears, and whiskers. Be sure to carefully leave a path of ‘untouched’ snow leading up to your creation. Then, from 10-20 feet away, try to make that creature’s tracks leading up to it by simulating that animal’s walk. Hop like a bunny, lumber like a bear, scamper like a squirrel. Keep track of how long your creation lasts. Which disappears first – the critter or its tracks? back to craft index |
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| February 2005 | Snow
CatchersTake a square piece of cardboard and tape a pencil or Popsicle stick to it to serve as a handle. Cover the cardboard with a piece of black (or other dark-colored) velvet or corduroy, securing the fabric with glue or tape. Take your Snow Catcher out during a flurry to catch a collection of beautiful snow flakes. Remember to bring a magnifying glass! Compare and contrast your snowflakes' designs... no two are alike! Do the outdoor conditions make a difference in what the snowflakes look like? What do they look like when it's relatively warm out? When it's crisp and cold? Or, when it's windy? back to craft index |
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| March 2005 | No
Bake Maple CookiesAfter a brisk spring day finding Sugar Maple trees, nothing warms your belly more than hearty cookies with hot cocoa. The following recipe captures the unique taste of maple using maple sugar, found in your local grocery or specialty store. Ingredients: 2 cups maple sugar ½ cup milk ½ cup shortening ½ tsp. salt 1 tsp vanilla 3 cups quick oats 6 tblsp. peanut butter Bring the maple sugar, milk, shortening, salt and vanilla to full rolling boil (ask your parents for help), stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Stir in oats and peanut butter. Drop on waxed paper by spoonfuls. Let set about 1 hour or until firm. Heat up the cocoa and enjoy! (Nature Craft idea from Wis. DNR's EEK!) back to craft index |
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| April 2005 | Make
a Plant PressAs long as you practice respectful collecting methods - that means pick only where its allowed and take only one of each flower (or grow a pot in your backyard designated for picking) - pressing flowers can be a wonderful way to preserve spring's bright hues. To make your own plant press, start with two equal size pieces of plywood (or recycled boards) as the top and bottom of your press. With the two boards atop each other, ask a parent to drill a hole through each corner. Thread bolts through the holes and use flat washers and wing nuts to tighten your new flower press. Once you've collected flowers to press, put them between pieces of paper (in yellow on our diagram) and place layers of cardboard above and below. Remember to label your flowers with a date and location, then let them dry 4-6 weeks. Remember, pressing flowers is only part of the process - there are hundreds of ways to use your preserved bits of spring! (Nature Craft idea from "Making & Using a Flower Press" by Deborah Tukua) back to craft index |
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| May 2005 | Make
a May Day BasketBrighten a friend or neighbor's day with a colorful May Day basket hung on their door. For a traditional May basket, cut a wide triangle shape from a sturdy piece of paper. Snip off the triangle tip and roll the remaining piece into a cone shape. Glue or tape the over-lapping sides (using paper clips to hold it in place while the glue dries). Cut a strip of paper for the handle (12 inches in length should do) and glue or tape it to the top of the cone. Fill your cone basket with real (or home-made tissue paper) flowers and sneakily hang it on your friend or neighbor's doorknob. You can also use your imagination with recycled materials to create a truly unique basket. Try a toilet tissue roll cut in half, decorated and closed off at the bottom with a stiff piece of paper. Attach a pipe cleaner handle and fill with small flowers. Other recycled "basket" ideas include plastic strawberry baskets, yogurt cups, play dough containers or baby food jars. Just decorate, attach a handle and send spring greetings! (Nature Craft idea from familycrafts.about.com) back to craft index |
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| June 2005 |
Underwater
ViewerWant to see what's going on in the water without diving in? Make your own underwater viewer! You can make a very simple viewer with materials you likely have at home. You'll need a half-gallon milk carton, some clear plastic wrap and a rubber band. Cut both the bottom and the top off the milk carton. Stretch the plastic wrap over the bottom, securing it in place with the rubber band. Lower the viewer into the water, and place your face into the open end. The underwater area you are viewing will be slightly magnified. It's just like a diving mask - but you don't have to get your face wet! If you find in interesting creature, use this key to discover what it is! (Nature Craft from "The Kid's Nature Book" by Susan Milord) back to craft index |
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| July 2005 | Solar
PrintsUse the sun's light to create art! Collect natural objects for printing such as leaves, flowers, grass (make sure to collect items already on the ground or get permission to pick). Using special light sensitive or dark construction paper, arrange the items on the paper and place in the sun. A piece of Plexiglas can be used to hold the objects in place if using the light sensitive paper, or tape can be used if using the dark construction paper. If you're using light sensitive paper, expose it to sunlight for about five minutes. Remove the objects and place paper in water to "fix" the image. For dark construction paper, leave it in the sun all day. If the paper hasn't faded enough on the first day leave in the sun for another day. back to craft index |
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| August 2005 | Cress
HeadsWatching seeds grow is a fulfilling activity for children of all ages. Include a creative recycled-material container and these sprouting seeds can spruce up a sunny windowsill and spice up a salad or sandwich! Carefully clean and dry several eggshell halves after making scrambled eggs. Draw or paint a simple face on each empty eggshell half. Dip balls of cotton in a bowl of water so they are completely soaked. Fill the eggshells with wet cotton balls. Sprinkle cress seeds over the cotton balls. Put the eggshells in their carton to steady them, place them in a windowsill and wait a few days. Keep the cotton balls moist. Watch your "eggheads" sprout green hair! Then, cut the cress and give it a taste! (From "My First Nature Book" by Angela Wilkes) back to craft index |
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| September 2005 | Leaf
PrintsLeaves come in all shapes and sizes. Each has a unique design of veins and lobes. You can take a closer look at these differences when you make leaf prints! Create a collection of leaves from the ground (or from your garden or yard - make sure to ask permission to pick) and using acrylic paint (for a waterproof finish) brush paint onto the underside of the leaf where the veins are more pronounced. Carefully place the "inked" leaf where you want the image printed. Cover the leaf with a piece of folded paper toweling. Roll a brayer (a smaller roller used for making prints), a rolling pin, or a spoon over the paper towel with firm strokes. Remove the paper towel and carefully lift the leaf. Presto! Suggested uses: wrapping paper, note cards, stationary, even garden pots or drinking glasses - anything with a smooth surface. (Nature Craft from "The Kid's Nature Book" by Susan Milord) back to craft index |
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| October 2005 | Origami
CranesThrough out the world and particularly in Japan, where Origami originated, the paper crane (orizuru) is a symbol of peace. Japanese legend states anyone who folds a thousand origami cranes in a year will have their heart's desire come true. Paper made specifically for origami is available in most craft stores but you can use any lightweight paper cut into a perfect square. The International Crane Foundation has a webpage with step by step directions on how to fold paper cranes. You may also find the following website useful for its photographs. You can make one, one thousand or any number in-between. Now, find a unique way to display your cranes. Run a fishing line through the body (poke a hole at the top with a pin first) to hang them from your ceiling or make a mobile with different size cranes. The options are as endless as your imagination - make your heart's desire come true! back to craft index |
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| November 2005 | Nature
Journaling Many budding naturalists, including young Aldo Leopold and James Audubon, begin their inquiry into nature by keeping a journal. Honing a keen sense of awareness through observation and journaling encourages and nurtures an appreciation of the natural world. Keeping a nature journal does not require a fancy bound book - though if that inspires you and your young naturalist, they can be found at gift shops, paper outlets or greeting card stores. Whether filling in a purchased notebook or making your own booklet, here are some tips for creating a meaningful nature journal: Each entry should include the date, time and weather (hint: attach a zipper-pull thermometer to your child's jacket to keep knowledge of current conditions at hand). Consider establishing a "Life List" of birds, plants or animals in your journal. Each time you spot a species for the first time, add the name (plus, the date and location) to this special list. How long you can keep your list going? And, how many different species can you list? Fill the rest of your pages with stories, thoughts and sketches of things you see, hear or smell while outdoors. If you prefer to work from a template, download (.pdf) and print these nature journal pages created by Nature Net, use heavy paper for a cover and hit the trails! back to craft index |
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| December 2005 | Make
a Survival Kit You can easily equip your vehicle with essential survival gear for winter emergencies. Here's what you'll need: Start with a 2 or 3 pound coffee can (punch 3 holes around the top rim, equal distance apart). Store the following items inside: * 60-inch length of twine or heavy string (cut into 3 equal pieces - used to suspend can). * 3 large safety pins (tie string to safety pins and pin to car roof interior to suspend can over candle). * 1 candle 2" diameter (place on lid under suspended can for melting snow). * 1 pocket knife or scissors. * 3 pieces of bright cloth 2" wide x 36" long (tie to antenna or door handle). * Several packets of soup, hot chocolate, tea, bouillon cubes, etc. (mixed into melted snow to provide warmth and nutrition). * 1 small package of peanuts (provides protein) & fruit-flavored candy (orange slices, jelly beans, etc. - avoid chocolate). * 1 pair of socks and 1 pair of gloves or glove liners (cotton does not provide insulation when wet). * 2 packages of book matches. * 1 sun shield blanket or 2 large green or black plastic leaf bags (to reflect body heat). * 1 pen light and batteries (keep separate). * change or calling card for telephone calls. Place a stocking cap over the kit and store it in passenger compartment of your car. If you have additional room, include band-aids, aspirin, a small radio, spoons, pencil & paper, etc. If there's still room, increase the quantity of any of the above items or improvise items for entertaining little ones: fun snacks, games and books. (Adapted from the Wis. Dept. of Transportation) back to craft index |
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| January 2006 |
Ice
Lantern Celebrate Wisconsin winters and the thick sheet of ice that once covered our State with this icy lantern. It may be as cold as ice, but it's guaranteed to cast a warm, welcoming light on a winter night. Start by pouring a couple inches of water into a large metal mixing bowl. Place it outdoors to freeze. Fill a yogurt container with stones or pennies, then center it on the ice in the bowl. Slowly pour more water into the bowl, so that it nearly reaches the rim of the smaller container, and let it freeze solid. To remove the lantern from its mold, run warm water on the outside of the bowl and the ice should slip out. Next, dump out the contents of the inner container and pour in warm water to loosen it. Remove the container and place a votive candle in the opening. (Originally published in Family Fun magazine.) back to craft index |
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| February 2006 |
Snowy
OwlSnowy Owls spend wintertime here in Wisconsin - they actually consider this a warm place to spend the winter compared to the frozen landscape of Northern Canada where they spend most of the year. These pinecone snowy owls will enjoy a cozy perch in your house. Here's how to make them:Wrap a pinecone in a thin layer of fiberfill or stretched-out cotton balls, leaving the brown petals of the pinecone sticking through. Now cut eyes from yellow paper and punch pupils from black paper to glue in the center of each eye. Glue two eyes on one side of one end of the pinecone. Cut triangle beaks for the owls from black paper. Glue them in place under the eyes to complete the faces of your owls. Collect a branch from your yard or a near-by park, give it a warm layer of fiberfill (or cotton ball) "snow" and perch your snowy owls atop! (Adapted form " Crafts for Kids Who Are Wild About the Wild" by Kathy Ross and Sharon Lane Holm) back to craft index |
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| March 2006 |
Wolf
MaskThe Gray or Timber Wolf is the only mammal currently listed on the Wisconsin endangered species list (though the American Marten and the Canada Lynx are both considered threatened). To make this awesome wolf mask, start by coloring the bottom of one paper plate and the top of another with a black crayon. Take the bottom-colored plate and hold it up to your face to determine where the eye holes should be. Cut out the eye holes and add a scalloped edge around the bottom half of the plate. For the mouth, cut a 2 1/2-inch rectangle from the bottom of the plate. Now glue a 9-oz. paper cup to the plate (above the rectangle cut-out) for the muzzle and set aside to dry. With the second plate (the one colored on the top), cut out ears and glue them to the top of your wolf mask. Now, with white paper, cut out sharp teeth to glue on the sides of the muzzle. You can add whiskers by cutting several six-inch-long pieces of fishing line, taping them together in the middle and gluing them to the end of the muzzle. Cover the paper-cup bottom (the tip of the muzzle) with a soft nose pad (using gray felt or craft foam cut to size). If you want yellow eyes for your mask, cut out two eye shapes from yellow craft foam and poke a hole in the center of each. Outline the holes with black marker (for the pupils) and glue them to your wolf face. To finish your mask, punch a hole on each side of the mask, thread a piece of string through each hole and tie it around your head. Now you're ready to howl at the moon! Find out more about wolf biology and their struggle to survive here from the US Fish and Wildlife Service. (Craft adapted from the San Diego Zoo) back to craft index |
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| April 2006 |
How
Does Your Garden Grow?Observing nature can be made even more intriguing if children feel they are a part of the process. Encourage your little outdoor explorer to plant and observe their own garden plot. Start with some clean (recycled) containers that are least two inches deep with a hole in the bottom. Fill them two-thirds full with potting soil, water well and sprinkle with seeds of your choice. After topping the seeds with a thin layer of soil, keep the dirt from drying out by covering the container/s with a piece of glass or cloth. Set in a warm place and check in on your seeds each day, recording any changes. As soon as the first sprouts appear, remove the cover and move the seedlings to a cooler location with plenty of light. Remember to continue recording your observations of change, and use a ruler to measure the height of your favorite 3-4 seedlings. Water as needed. If you're planning to move the seedlings to a outdoor garden plot, wait until their true leaves appear (after the first set - called cotyledons) then, gradually (over two to three weeks) get them accustom to the outdoors by first placing them in a sheltered outdoor area, then lengthening the time they spend outside. Good seeds to sow this time of year for later outdoor planting include broccoli, peppers, parsley, pansies and snapdragons. For more ideas on what to do and be on the look out for in your yard or garden, visit the UW-Extension Horticulture website. back to craft index |
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| May 2006 | Make
a Rain GaugeKeeping track of rainfall is an interactive way for kids to follow outdoor happenings and get a sense of how much rain falls in a rainstorm, a week, a month or even a year. Keep track long enough and you can compare from year to year - find out if 2006 is a relatively dry or wet year. Here's how to make a simple rain gauge from recycled materials: Start with a 2-liter soda bottle (with straight sides) and cut off the top about four inches down. Place stones or gravel in the bottom of the bottle up to where the sides are straight. (This will add weigh to the gauge and make it more stable.) Next, tape a ruler to the side to the bottle with the zero mark about a half-inch above the gravel. (If you cannot spare your ruler, once it's taped on, mark the bottle with a permanent marker every half-inch and remove it.) Pour enough water into the bottle to fill it to the zero mark on the ruler. Now, invert the top of the bottle (the portion you cut off earlier) and put it into the bottom portion so it looks like a funnel. Now, you're ready to collect some rain. Place the gauge in an open area away from trees or buildings, which may affect the amount of rain that falls into the bottle. Wait for a rainstorm and afterward, to read your gauge, note the number on your ruler closest to the level of the liquid. (Adapted from Canada's weatheroffice.com) back to craft index |
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| June 2006 | Exploration
Memory JarWith a few recycled jars and some souvenirs from your day of adventuring, these Memory Jars will keep your explorations fresh in your mind and provide a constant reminder of your great discoveries. Here's how: Collect one or several clear jars. Fill them with non-living items collected from the places you've visited. (Remember not to pick were it's not allowed and stay on the trails.) Now draw or develop pictures from your adventure and use them as a backdrop inside your jar. If you are using a small neck jar, bent wire can be used to raise or lower items in the jar. Here are some suggested items to place in your jar: slips of paper with words that remind you of your discoveries color samples from the paint store to match some of the unique hues you found (like the color of the sky that day or plants you saw but didn't pick) pressed plants or flowers (see April 2005's Nature Craft) nuts, sticks and rocks Label your jar with the date and location and keep your memories close at hand! (adapted from www.marthastewart.com) back to craft index |
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| July 2006 |
Bug
HotelThis simple, yet sturdy, insect observatory lets young entomologists check in guests, then check 'em out.1. Use markers or poster paint to decorate the outside of an oatmeal container, making sure you post the house rules! 2. Paint or draw the shutters, then use a craft knife (adults only) to cut them out with sideways H shapes. 3. Paint the door, then cut it out, making sure its bottom edge is at least 1/4 inch above the floor inside (to keep guests from checking out too early). 4. Roll a piece of screening so it rests snugly around the inside of the container. Trim so the top edge fits beneath the lid and leave a 1-inch overlap where the side edges meet. Tips: Be sure to provide guests with food (notice what they were eating when you found them) and water (a filled plastic bottle cap should meet their needs). (Craft from familyfun.com) back to craft index |
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| August 2006 | Wired
Star With some simple household items you can craft a shining star to hang as a reminder of the curious and beautiful celestial lights. Start with a 3-foot length of 18-gauge wire. Wrap it first around a pencil (to form a loop to hang your star from later) and then wrap (or press) it around the outer edge of a star-shaped cookie cutter. Snip off any excess wire and remove the cookie cutter. Now, using a lighter gauge wire, wrap the star-shaped frame. Secure the ends of the lightweight wire on the frame, being careful of sharp ends. Tie a ribbon through the loop and you've got a glimmering star. *** For another cool craft that will help you learn the monthly constellations, visit NASA's Space Place. (Wired Star craft adapted from FamilyFun.com) back to craft index |
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| September 2006 |
Bark
Casting To help kids remember there's more to trees than leaves, this fun bark casting project encourages tactile exploration and observation of textures.Flatten a piece of modeling clay into a square about 1/2-inch thick. Find a favorite tree and press the flattened clay into the bark of your tree, pressing hard so all the little cracks are filled with clay. Now carefully peel the clay away from the bark. With the bark impression facing up, roll up the sides of the clay to create a "U" shape. Pin poster board onto the sides of the "U" to close the ends off and create a "bowl". Now, carefully mix a batch of plaster of paris, following the manufacturer's directions and pour it into your clay "bowl". Allow the plaster to dry and then, peel away the clay (and poster board sides) to reveal a perfect impression of your favorite tree! If you wish, paint your casting to look like the tree - make careful observations and remember to use more than just brown! (craft adapted from Academy Curricular Exchange) back to craft index |
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| October 2006 |
Sock
BatNot everyone appreciates a bat flying around their house. But with this bat, made from recycled materials and simple craft supplies, you're sure to make an exception.Cut the cuff from a brown sock and stuff the foot with fiberfill, closing the opening with half of a dark-colored pipe cleaner. Bend the two ends of the cleaner to make the bats' legs. Now wrap a one-inch piece of pipe cleaner around each leg, about 3/4-inch from the end to create toes for the bat. Cut ears, eyes and nose holes from a piece of brown paper. With a marker, add pupils to the eyes and then glue the features to the front of the bat to make its face. To make the wings for the bat, wrap pipe cleaners back and forth across the inside of the wire hanger to make a network of bones. Now cut the leg from a pair of nylon stockings and slip it over the hanger. Poke the hook of the hanger through the middle of the stocking. Make a knot at each end of the stocking, making sure it is pulled tightly across the hanger and trim off any extra stocking. Pin the wings to the back of the bat with safety pins, making sure the hook end of the hanger is behind the bat's feet. For safety, wrap the hanger hook with masking tape. Your bat is ready to take flight. If your sock bat - or the real bats in your neighborhood - are in need of a bat home, here's link to the DNR's Bat House Plans - Assembly Directions. (craft adapted from "Crafts for Kids Who Are Wild About The Wild" by Kathy Ross) back to craft index |
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| November 2006 |
Homemade
BreadIn pioneer times, the tasks were divided between boys and girls. Though bread making was a woman's job 200 years ago, don't let that stop the entire family from joining in on this hands-on, old-fashioned experience. Start by mixing the following two ingredients: 1 tablespoon yeast (or one packet) 1 cup warm water Feed the yeast with: Honey or brown sugar (about ¼ cup - no measuring cups back then) Salt (about 1 teaspoon) Oil (about 2 tablespoons) Wait for foam to appear on the top – this reaction is caused by the yeast eating the honey and creating gas – that’s the gas that makes our dough rise and our bread fluffy. Add: 3 cups flour Mix well with a wooden spoon and then turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead like crazy. Now shape the dough into a ball, place it into a large oiled bowl and lay a moistened cloth over the bowl. Place the bowl in a warm location (near the fireplace if you're really sticking to the old-fashioned way) and let the dough rise until it has doubled in size (about an hour). Punch the dough down, knead like crazy again and bake in a loaf pan at 350º until the top crust is nice and brown. Enjoy with homemade butter and a touch of Wisconsin honey. back to craft index |
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| December 2006 |
Rolled
Bees Wax CandlesAlways a symbol of light and the return of the sun's rays after the solstice, candles play an important role in wintertime celebrations. Make your own hand-rolled candles from bees wax and light your way through the dark winter nights.Wax sheets pressed to imitate honeycomb and wick are available in most craft stores. Starting with one 8" by 16" sheet of wax, lay a 9" piece of wick along the short end, leaving a bit of wick sticking out on each side. Fold up a 1/8 inch piece of wax to create a neat, straight channel for the wick. Press down hard (with your thumb nail) to make sure the wax is tight around the wick. Now, carefully and gently, roll the wax as you would a roll of wrapping paper. Keep the edges even as you work. Gently press the final edge of the wax into the side of the candle. Pick the best end to keep the wick long and trim the other. If the bottom of your candle is uneven, warm a pie plate in the oven and then, using caution, press it against the hot metal to melt a smooth surface. If you would like a wider candle, start with thicker wick and after rolling your first sheet of wax, butt a second sheet to it's edge and continue rolling. For pictures of the process and more details, see Dave Fisher's article. back to craft index |
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| January 2007 | Frozen
WreathAre you looking for a fun winter craft that when finished not only looks great in your yard, but provides your neighborhood birds with a snack? If you are, read on. Find a spot outside where you can work and then take a lid from a catering tray, maybe one from your birthday party or your sister's graduation. Then, take a butter tub filled with sand or dirt to weigh it down. Put the heavy butter tub in the center of the tray lid, so when the ice wreath is frozen it will have a hole in the center. Next, take some twigs and arrange them in the tray lid so they extend out from the rim. This looks great when it's finished and will give the birds a place to perch when your wreath is frozen. Then, take some cranberries and sprinkle them evenly around the lid. Finally, fill the tray with water and let it freeze. And, Voila! You've made an ice wreath. Now you can find some twine or a ribbon, tie it around your wreath and hang it from a tree. The birds will perch on the twigs and as the ice melts, they get to eat the berries. Give it a try. It's easy. (Nature Craft provided by Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources' EEK! website.) back to craft index |
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| February 2007 | Bird
FeederWhile many birds migrate to warmer climes during the food-scarce wintertime, others, like cardinals, blue jays, chickadees and juncos, brave the Wisconsin cold. You can help them stay healthy and well-fed with backyard feeders. Here are a couple ideas to keep children busy and birds happy: Clean and dry an empty cardboard milk carton, cut openings on opposite sides and coat it with nontoxic paint. Glue Popsicle stick shingles onto the roof. For a perch, poke holes below the openings and slip a dowel through the holes. Fill the bottom of the feeder with birdseed mix. (You can make your own mix by combining a variety of nuts and seeds, such as sunflower seeds, millet, thistle seeds and yellow corn.) Then hang the feeder with wire in a spot that's easy to view but far enough away from fences or posts to thwart predators. (Courtesy of FamilyFun.com) Or, mix up a batch of homemade Birdseed Biscuits with 2 cups biscuit baking mix and a 1/2 cup cold water. Roll out dough to 3/4 inch thick and cut it into shapes with cookie cutters. Using a straw, punch a hole in the top of each cookie. Melt 2 tablespoons of margarine and brush over the dough. Now sprinkle sesame and sunflower seeds onto the dough and press in firmly with a fork. Bake for 15-20 minutes in a 425° oven, until light brown. When cool, thread brightly colored ribbon through the hole and hang in a tree. For more birdfeeder ideas or to find out which birds will eat your seeds, visit KidzKorner. back to craft index |
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| March 2007 | BinocularsOne of Leopold's favorite pastimes, simply observing the world around him, started as a bird watching hobby in his youth. Enhance your budding naturalist's observation skills (even without the lenses) with these easy-to-make binoculars. Start with two clean toilet paper rolls and decorate them with non-toxic paint or wrap them with construction paper (to make the camouflage version pictured, visit www.dltk-teach.com for a green, pink or black and white template). Once the paint or glue is dry, tape the two tubes together, side by side. To make a "focus dial" cut out a 2x3 inch piece of paper, roll it into a tube and tape or glue it between the toilet paper tubes. Lastly, punch a hole near the top of each tube and string a ribbon or piece of yarn through to make the neck strap. Now, take the time to focus in on items springing up in the garden or watch animals in your yard or at a local Nature Net site. These non-breakable binoculars can help remove distractions and make youngsters feel they have the tools to become a scientist, wildlife photographer, explorer or ecologist like Aldo Leopold. (Nature craft adapted from www.dltk-teach.com) back to craft index |
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| April 2007 | Worm
Refrigerator CookiesThough some cultures - and many animals - may eat real worms for a yummy snack, we recommend these tasty worm look-alikes, made from common pantry staples that require no baking: Ingredients: 1/2 cup peanut butter 1/2 cup powdered milk 1/2 cup honey 1 tablespoon cocoa 1/2 teaspoon vanilla 1/2 cup nuts, chopped 1/2 cup raisins, chopped Preparation: Combine the peanut butter and the powdered milk until blended. Stir in the honey, cocoa, vanilla, nut and raisins - in that order. Roll you mixture into small worm shapes. Place the worms on wax paper on a cookie sheet and chill in the refrigerator until very firm. (Adapted from Sherri Osborn's recipe on About.com) back to craft index |
|
| May 2007 |
Moon
CookiesAfter studying the moon for a month (or taking a quick study of a lunar calendar), you can get crafty with these cookies and create a design for each phase of the moon./span> Directions: 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Sift together 1 cup all-purpose flour and 2/3 cup cake flour, (not self-rising), 1/2 teaspoon baking powder, and 1/4 teaspoon salt; set aside. In a medium bowl, whisk 2 large eggs and 3/4 cup sugar until smooth. Whisk in 1/2 cup milk, and then 6 tablespoons melted butter with 1/2 teaspoon each of vanilla and lemon extracts. Add flour mixture, and stir to form a smooth dough. Cover, and chill for 1 hour. 2. Using a 2-ounce scoop, drop cookies onto baking pan. Bake until edges are light brown, 12 to 15 minutes. Cool on a wire rack. 3. In a small bowl, combine 2 cups confectioners’ sugar, 3 tablespoons hot water, and 2 tablespoons light corn syrup, until smooth. Using a small offset spatula, ice half or crescents of each cookie. Return cookies to rack to drip, if necessary. 4. Melt 1 1/2 ounces bittersweet chocolate and add it to remaining icing. Stir until smooth. Add additional corn syrup to thin to desired consistency, if necessary. Spread chocolate icing over un-iced portion of each cookie. Allow cookies to set, about 10 minutes. Enjoy! (Adapted from MarthaStewart.com) back to craft index |
|
| June 2007 |
Chenille
Bumble BeeThe slow-moving and bumbling bumblebee has long been appreciated as pollinator and was once believed to be a messenger to the gods. Remove this friendly insect from your list of "bugs that bug us" and create a buzz in your house with this adorable craft: Push the tip of a yellow chenille stem into the end of a 2-inch styrofoam egg and wrap it around the entire egg. Next, wrap black chenille stems between the yellow to create stripes. Cover each end of the bee body by shaping black chenille stems into circles and pushing the ends into the body. Secure with glue. Now, create legs from 6 short chenille pieces and antennae from two 6-inch pieces of craft wire with the tips curled. You can make wings of wax paper or wooden teardrops from the craft store, painted white. Add finishing touches by gluing on google-eyes and if desired, a paperclip hanger. (Adapted from Hands on Crafts for Kids) back to craft index |
|
| July 2007 |
Butterfly
Flutter-byBring vibrant butterflies into your home or yard with this simple craft. Using old magazines destined for the recycle bin, you can create butterflies in as many color combinations as found in nature. For each butterfly, choose 2 colorful magazine pages and cut out 2 squares, one that is 5 inches on a side, the other 4 inches. Starting at one corner, accordion-fold the squares on their diagonals, using about a 1/4 inch fold. Pinch the center of each folded square. Bend a 12-inch pipe cleaner in half and twist to create a small loop (this will be the butterfly's abdomen). Arrange the squares as the butterfly's wings, centered inside the pipe cleaner. To secure the wings, twist the pipe cleaner above and below the wings and curl the ends for antennae. (Nature Craft adapted from FamilyFun.com) back to craft index |
|
| August 2007 |
Frog
Jumper PuppetLeaping lizards and jumping june bugs have nothing on this adorable jumping frog puppet. Made from readily available craft supplies, this easy to fashion frog will get the whole family hopping. Start by painting two 6-inch paper plates green. Next, create four legs by sandwiching 10-inch pieces of pipe cleaner between 1- by 12-inch strips of green felt. Join the felt pieces with fabric glue, and attach the legs in place around the inside edge of one of the plates. For the eyes, add black paint and googly eyes to 2 green construction paper circles and glue them to the inside edge of the same plate. Now, knot one end of a length of elastic string and glue it between the frog's eyes. Glue or staple the second plate atop the the first and use paint or markers to give your frog a wide smile. Lastly, tie the elastic to a chopstick or wooden skewer and get hopping! (Nature Craft adapted from FamilyFun.com) back to craft index |
|
| September 2007 |
Head out to your favorite oak tree to find an acorn top and a nut that fit together nicely. Back at home, place the acorn top on a sturdy work surface and drill two small holes - from the top down - near the base of the stem. Thread a thin leather or silk cord through the holes and knot the ends together so the knot is tucked up inside the acorn top (be sure the finished length of the cord will fit around your head). Now, glue the acorn nut to the acorn top with a strong, permanent glue. Let dry, and it's ready to wear. If you wish to further adorn your necklace, add beads prior to threading the cord through the acorn top. You can also make the necklace length adjustable by creating a loop at the back of the necklace and stringing on a tight-fitting bead that can slide up and down. |
|
| October 2007 |
First, draw or photocopy a branch design to fit your pumpkin. (Make sure
your design has no overlapping limbs.) Now, cut off the pumpkin top and
scrape the interior clean. Transfer your design onto your pumpkin, and carve, first making shallow cuts with a small blade at a
45° angle for precision, then making larger cuts with a serrated carving
tool. Now, with an electric drill fitted with a small bit, create holes at
the branch tips for a berry effect. |
|
| November 2007 |
Using a photocopied version of a star guide (or the templates provided by
NASA), cut out a constellation and place it on the bottom of a film canister.
Now, using a pushpin, punch a small hole through the paper and the canister for each star
in the pattern. Hold the film canister up to the light and look through it to make sure
you have punched the holes all the way through. You should see
light through each hole. Take the pattern off the canister and remember
to label your canister with a strip of masking tape on the side and the name of
your
constellation. Make one or several constellation canisters. (Nature Craft adapted from NASA |
|
| December 2007 |
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| January 2008 |
With a pencil, poke a hole in the pointed end of an
ice cream cone. Twist a knot in the end of a pipe cleaner and thread
it into the ice cream cone and out the hole (the knot will hold the pipe
cleaner in place). Use the table knife to spread the peanut butter on
the outside of the cone (use soy nut butter or suet if you are concerned
about nut allergies). Now, press circle cereal (like Cheerios) into the peanut butter to cover the cone. Sprinkle birdseed over the the
entire thing, pressing it into the peanut butter with your fingers. Hang
in an area where birds can safely perch nearby. |
|
| February 2008 |
Start by cutting a large oval of white faux
fur and sewing it on the front of a black, hooded sweatshirt. Next, cut a long strip of white
faux fur and sew it, starting at the hood, down the
back of the sweatshirt to the bottom. Make two ears by cutting four ear shapes from black faux fur and sewing
each pair together. Then, sew both ears to the hood on either side of the
white stripe. |
|
| March 2008 |
First, cover your work surface with newspaper and lay out a few paper towels for holding completed eggs. In each of several containers (i.e. coffee mugs), put one tablespoon each of vinegar, oil and food coloring. Repeat this for each color. Add enough water to each coloring mixture to cover an egg. Stir each mixture with a spoon to create a swirling motion. While the liquid is swirling, place a hard-boiled egg on a spoon and dip it down into the swirling mixture. Remove egg quickly. Pat the egg dry with a paper towel, and set it aside if you're satisfied with the color. If you're not satisfied you can repeat the process with a second color. Do as many color combinations as you like. When each egg is finished, pat it dry, leaving a little of the oil on the egg to give it a varnished look. You may store the eggs in refrigerator until you're ready to eat them! |
|
| April 2008 |
Organic Mac and Cheese Ingredients: |
|
| May 2008 |
Sprouting NecklaceDiscover the reward (and learning opportunities) of sprouting a living fashion accessory. First, carefully twist a screw eye into the lid of a small plastic jar (like those that hold spices, vitamins or cake decorations). Create a pilot hole with a pushpin, if necessary. Braid some colored string for the lanyard and thread it through the screw eye, making sure the loop can fit over your head. Now, moisten about 3 cotton balls until they are wet but not dripping and place them inside the jar. Press 1-4 seeds (beans, peas, cantaloupe or corn work well) down between the jar wall and the cotton, so they are clearly visible from the outside. Screw on the cap. Wear your sprout necklace during the day, keeping it out of direct sunlight to avoid overheating. Store it in a warm place at night and check the moisture level periodically. After about five days, the seeds should begin to sprout. When they begin to crowd the jar, transplant them to a flowerpot, or the garden. (Nature Craft from FamilyFun.com) back to craft index |
|
| June 2008 |
Garlic Mustard PestoGarlic Mustard was originally brought to America from Europe as a medicinal plant and kitchen staple. While you're pulling this invasive, might as well put it to good use with this delicious pesto: 4 cloves of garlic 3 tbs. garlic mustard taproots 3/4 cups parsley 1 cup garlic mustard leaves 1 cup basil 1-1/2 cup olives 2 cups walnuts or pine nuts 1/2 cup mellow miso 1-1/4 cups olive oil or as needed Chop the garlic and garlic mustard roots in a food processor. Add the parsley, garlic mustard leaves and basil and chop. Add the olives and nuts and chop coarsely. Add the olive oil and miso and process until you've created a coarse paste. Makes 4 cups. Serve over warm pasta, on grilled chicken or on bruschetta. (Nature Craft from Wildman Steve Brill) back to craft index |
|
| July 2008 |
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| August 2008 |
Materials: Basket How-To: 2. Fold up the "rays" of the "sun" so that they are all sticking up. 3. Tape a piece of yarn or grass to the center of the bottom of the circle and start weaving. If you run out of material, just tie the end of the old to the start of the new and continue weaving. 4. To finish your basket, simple take the remaining "tail" of your weaving material and twist it around the material underneath it and tuck it under. Curl the edges of the remaining poster board and voilá! What a beautiful basket! To see examples of some steps, click here (Craft from Aldo Leopold Nature Center)back to craft index |
|
| September 2008 |
If you want a thicker image, you can brush fabric paint onto the surface of the apple. Set the paint by allowing it to dry, placing a press cloth over the image, and using an iron set on medium. |
|
| October 2008 |
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|
| November 2008 |
First, find items like shells, leaves or other found
natural objects to "fossilize". For each "fossilized" item, place a large ball of
clay on a piece of waxed paper and flatten it into a thick circle. Make an impression in the clay by gently pressing in the object and
then removing it. Now, prepare some plaster of Paris according to the package directions so
that it has a smooth but thick consistency. Spoon plaster into each impression, thoroughly filling it in. Let the
plaster dry completely (about 30 to 60 minutes), then peel away the
clay to reveal the fossil. |
|
| December 2008 |
First, spray muffin tins with the non-stick spray. Place one end of a
wick (or use string in a pinch) in each muffin cup, allowing an end to hang over the side.
Sprinkle some sawdust, crushed up leaves and acorn tops or cinnamon
stick bits in each muffin cup. Next, melt candle, soy or paraffin wax in
a double boiler over boiling water. (Or melt it
in a coffee can in a pot of boiling water). If desired, add color and or essential oils when
the wax is melted. Lower the heat a bit. Pour some of the hot wax into each muffin cup, covering
the wick and set
a pinecone upright into wax right away! Let them harden completely and
then pop each cone out, one at a time. You can leave them au natural or
coat the cones with wax, by grabbing a pinecone with a tongs by the bottom and dip the cone in the wax.
Turn it to coat all over. Lift the cone over the wax for a few moments to allow the wax to
harden. Dip again until well coated. Place pinecones on waxed paper to cool. |
|
| January 2009 |
To make snow luminaries, pack snow into a nonstick or tinned steel Bundt pan. To release form, tap bottom of pan firmly. If snow "cake" doesn't come out in one piece, pack the snow in again and let the filled pan sit outside for about 30 minutes to harden, then release. Trim the wick of a pillar candle to 1/4 inch, so the flame stays small. Secure candle on a flat surface, such as a step, by packing snow around it. Once you have three forms, stack them over candle. Lightly spritz pillar with water; everything will freeze in place. To light the candle, use a long fireplace match.
You can also invite young friends to gather around a table made of
snow. Tightly pack snow (wet snow works better than the powdery kind)
into two large galvanized tubs, and leave it overnight to harden.
Overturn one tub, unmold the snow, and then overturn the second tub on
top. (To ease the way, set the frozen tubs inside a garage or a shed for
a half hour to warm the snow.) For a seat, use the same trick and a
5-gallon bucket. |
|
| February 2009 |
To make a horse, use a hot glue gun to glue three twigs together to make
the body. Glue a twig at one end for the neck, then add another twig for
the head, and four twigs on the bottom for the legs. Add some moss for
the tail and mane. |
|
| March 2009 |
First, talk to your children about what the saying
"In like a lion, out like a lamb" might mean. What aspects of weather
determine whether it is ferocious or gentle? List
elements of weather like temperature, wind, rain, snow, etc. that
describe each. Now, make lion and lamb drawings, cut outs, crafts or
clip photographs of each from magazines.
Does your calendar begin with a Lion and end with a Lamb? Is
March more lion- or lamb-like? Are you surprised at your results? What
do you think will happen next year? |
|
| April 2009 |
Open thirteen safety pins and slip brown, blue, white and gold seed beads onto each one, using the pattern pictured above. Once all beads are in place, close each safety pin and use a needle-nose pliers to pinch the end of the safety pin so it will not pop open later. Once all the pins are beaded, you are ready to string them onto a larger safety pin (a two-inch pin will work for this pattern). Open the large safety pin and using a flat-head screwdriver, slightly pry apart the coils at the end. Slip the loop of the first beaded safety pin onto the large pin and pull it around the loop and up the back-side of the pin. Repeat this for each beaded safety pin. Once all your beaded safety pins are on your larger pin, use the pliers and squeeze the loop closed. You can now pin your new safety pin jewelry onto your shirt, hat, or shoelaces. You can also try this Earth pin pattern to wear on April 22nd! (Nature Craft adapted from About.com) |
|
| May 2009 |
What you will need: Two paper plates of the same size, green paint, green and red construction paper, white and black construction paper or googly eyes and optional yarn.
1. Paint the backs of your paper plates green and let them dry. 2. Cut out 4 frog legs (2 long and 2 short) and two medium circles out of green construction paper. These circles will be your frog's eyes. Also cut a long strip of red construction paper for your frog's tongue. You can also use a ribbon. 3. When plates are dry, cut one in half and glue two of the frog legs and the tongue to the UNPAINTED side and fold over so that they hang over the green side. 4. Staple the half plate to the whole plate to form a pouch or hole punch both plates and have child lace them together with yarn. 5. Cut circles from the black and white paper to make eyes or use googly eyes and paste to the green circles cut in Step 2. 5. Glue eyes to head. 6. Take your finished frog and feed him with stuff that needs to be held! (Nature Craft adapted from www.dltk-kids.com) |
|
| June 2009 |
![]() What you need: assorted pony beads, small magnifying glass with jump ring or hole, small key ring flashlight with battery, compass key ring, whistle, string (can be elastic cord, yarn or break-away lanyards). 1. Cut necklace string. Make sure it's not too long, or it will catch on everything while hiking, but make sure there's enough room for you to string all of your supplies. 2. Take whistle and double knot the jump ring so it stays secure on the necklace. Put three pony beads to the right and left of it. 3. Repeat Step 2 with the key ring on the flashlight, the magnifying glass and the compass. 4. Your Hiking Necklace is done! Now you can go on a hike and be confidant that you can explore to the fullest extent! (Nature Craft Adapted from MakingFriends.com) |
|
| July 2009 |
1. Take a coffee filter, place on plate and color with markers. 2. Squirt water (4-5 times) on coffee filter to make colors run. Try different angles for different looks and remember that a little water goes a long way! You can always add more if you desire a more marbled effect. Watch the colors run to create a totally new pattern! 3. While coffee filter dries (about a half hour), take black and yellow pom poms and glue to create a bumble bee body. Use a pipe cleaner to create antenna and add googly eyes if you want them. You can also substitute colored beads instead of pom poms. 4. Once coffee filter is dry, cut off 2-3 inches off a pipe cleaner and stick the longer end through the center of the filter. 5. Take the end that will be in the center of the flower and roll about 1 inch into a tight ball. This makes sure your flower won't fall off. 6. Scrunch your coffee filter around the pipe cleaner and then take the small part of the pipe cleaner from step 4 and wrap around the base of the coffee filter and pipe cleaner. 7. Add your pollinating bee to the flower and you're done! (Nature Craft from www.dltk-holidays.com) |
|
| August 2009 |
1. Take a small amount of cream cheese and put in a bowl with a couple drops of yellow food coloring. Mix until cream cheese is yellow, adding more food coloring if needed. 2. Spread cream cheese over half a bagel or English muffin. The bagel or English muffin can be toasted or untoasted depending on your preference. 3. Add raisins for eyes and break a pretzel into 3 pieces and arrange to make a smiling mouth.
4. Arrange pretzels around the outside for sunbeams.
5. Enjoy your culinary creation!
(Nature Craft from
freekidcrafts.com) | |
| September 2009 |
1. Gather up your stray socks and, once outside, put a sock on OVER your shoe and go for a nature hike. You can hike around your yard or around a park--the point is to get the sock dirty and pick up any seeds that may attach themselves. 2. After the hike is over, put the sock in a plastic zip bag with a squirt of water. 3. Tape the bag to a window that gets lots of sun and check daily to see your sock slowly sprout to life! 4. After the sock sprouts, investigate what types of plants might be growing on the sock. You will never view socks in the same way again! (Nature Craft from education.com) |
|
| October 2009 |
What you need: scrap cardboard, yarn, googly eyes, 4
pipe cleaners, glue, scissors.1. Cut a piece of cardboard 3 inches long and 2 inches wide. Also cut a piece of yarn 2 feet long. Set the cut piece of yarn aside. 2. Wrap a yard or two of yarn around the cardboard, making sure to have the yarn wrapped the longest way around the cardboard. Don't make it too tight, or you will not be able to get your yarn off, but don't make it too loose either. 3. Carefully remove the yarn loops, making sure to keep their shape, and place all four pipe cleaners on top of the loops. The loops and pipe cleaners should be placed vertically together. These pipe cleaners will be the legs of your spider. 4. Tightly tie the yarn you set aside around your yarn and pipe cleaner bundle. 5. Cut the yarn loops at their edges and trim to make a perfect circle. You can leave one loop uncut if you want to hang your spider. 6. Bend the legs and glue on googly eyes (Remember! Spiders have 8!), and add a string to your uncut loop if you want to hang your spider. 7. Congratulations, your spider is complete! (Nature Craft from EnchantedLearning.com) |
|
| November 2009 |
1. Go on a nature autumn walk and collect various leaves and a pinecone. The leaves will be your turkey's tail, so be sure to collect pretty colors! (If you want you can take the nature walk a week before, collect your leaves, then press the leaves before making the craft to keep the leaves from getting crunchy.) 2. Arrange leaves in turkey tail shape on paper and then glue on. 3. Using lots of glue, glue the pinecone at the middle of the base of the fan. 4. Cut a beak from orange paper and a wattle from red; Paste these and googly eyes on pinecone. 5. After drying, proudly display your turkey on the kitchen fridge, your bedroom door, or wherever a turkey need be! (Nature Craft adapted from http://www.dltk-holidays.com) |
|
| December 2009 |
1. Tie washer to one end of spring and then tie the other end to the pencil. The string should be about two-thirds as long as the jar is deep. 2. Heat the water in a saucepan over medium high heat until it starts boiling. While waiting for the pot to boil, moisten the cotton string and roll it in the sugar. Place the string in the jar with the pencil on the mouth of the jar; the end of the string should not touch the jar. 3. Completely dissolve sugar in boiling water, stirring continuously with a wooden spoon until the solution grows clear and reaches 240 degrees Fahrenheit on the candy thermometer. 4. Remove from heat and stir in flavoring and/or color before carefully pouring into the jar. 5. Let the sugar water sit for a few days where no one will bother it. Your crystals will begin to grow in a couple of hours, however it's best not to touch the jar until around 5 days after. 6. When your crystals are as big as you want them, take out the string and break the crystals off. Eat and enjoy! |
|
| January 2010 |
1. Place cardstock on top of stack of regular paper and fold in half, hamburger style. 2. Staple on fold, making sure that staples go through all pages. 3. Use your markers and other stuff to decorate your cover! 4. Now you're ready to start journaling the chronicles of your nature adventures! |
|
| February 2010 |
1. Mix flour and water together to make a paste. The paste should be the consistency of putty. You don't need to add all of the water if your mixture gets sticky enough, or if you feel it's not sticky enough, feel free to add more water. 2. Take a handful of paste per plate and then use fingers to create a "moonscape" with mountains, craters, and valleys.
3. Allow your finished "moonscape" to dry overnight
or until it is dry to the touch. |
|
| March 2010 |
1. Create your workplace. Spread out newspapers over your workspace. Take your leaves and find the bumpy side of the leaf (the side with raised veins). Place paint on paper plate and paper on top of newspapers. 2. Take your leaves and spread a thin layer of paint on the bumpy side. 3. Press painted side to paper and then peel off. 4. Repeat steps 2-3 as needed.
5. Hooray! You have a spring leaf print! |
|
| April 2010 |
1. Cut out an egg cup and a spike from the egg carton. 2. Wet the cup and pat it rounder. Let it dry before going on to step 3. 3. Paint spike as mushroom stem and the convex side of the cup as mushroom cap. 4. After paint has dried, glue the open end of the spike to the concave side of the cup (the unpainted side). 5. Make a hole in the bottom of the stem. Glue the stick into the hole. 6. Leave undisturbed until the glue is dry and then stick in a plant or wherever you want to display it.
7. Repeat steps 1-6 five more times if you want to
create a fairy ring. |
|
| May 2010 |
What you need: acrylic paint, flowerpot, brushes, soil, seeds. 1. Make sure your flowerpot is clean and dry. 2. Paint your flowerpot with whatever design you want to. It's fun to paint the flowers you plan to plant in your pots on the pots. 3. Allow the paint to dry for 24 hours. 4. Add soil to pot and plant seeds as instructed to on package. 5. Water and put in a sunny spot! |
|
| June 2010 |
1. Color half of stick with black marker. 2. Paint other half of stick with glow in the dark paint. 3. Glue eyes on unpainted end of stick. 4. While paint dries, cut tissue paper into four ovals for wings. 5. Glue wings on, two on each side. 6. Let your firefly dry in the sun, then take it out at night and watch it glow! (Nature Craft based off SproutOnline.com) |
|
| July 2010 |
1. Bring water to boil in small saucepot. 2. Take off heat and mix sugar until dissolved. 3. Allow mixture to cool. 4. Once nectar reaches room temperature, add to your clean hummingbird feeder*. 5. Replace nectar every three to four days and clean feeder*. Spoiled nectar looks cloudy. Unused nectar can be refrigerated for up to two weeks. 6. Food coloring or dyes should not be added to mixture--they're not healthy for hummingbirds. Neither should honey be substituted for sugar. Honey attracts bees and can grow black fungus that will cause a fatal liver and tongue disease in hummingbirds.
* Instructions To Wash
Feeder. DO NOT USE SOAP. Instead, use hot tap water and a brush. Make
sure there is no black mold. This mold is, as mentioned above,
deadly to hummingbirds. If there is mold, soak in a mixture of 1/4
cup bleach and 1 gallon water for 1 hour. It is essential to wash in between every
refilling. At least once a month, allow your feeder to soak in
full-strength white vinegar for an hour before cleaning. |
|
| August 2010 |
1. Cut out shapes from construction paper for fish, plants and other underwater creatures (like crawdads, tadpoles, frogs, snails) and decorate them with markers. 2. Arrange in the shoe box like a diorama using the hole punches and string to make fishes appear to "swim" and small folded strips of paper to make other underwater creatures and plants pop up. Use your creativity! 3. Show off your underwater world! |
|
| September 2010 |
What you need: 1 sheet construction paper, small torn squares of tissue paper in fall colors, 1 sheet heavy weight self-stick laminating film (recommended: Con-Tact paper, scissors, glue stick, toothpick, ribbon, suction cup hanger 1. Peel back half the backing from the laminating film--make sure to leave the other half alone! 2. Place tissue paper squares on sticky side. You can make them overlap or make patterns with them. 3. Take the remaining backing off the half of the laminating film you left alone and carefully place it over the tissue, sealing the tissue in. Be sure to press out any air bubbles you find. 4. Trim off overlapping film and throw away. 5. Taking your piece of construction paper, fold it in half and cut out a leaf shape so you have two leaves. 6. Glue the very tips of the leaves together. Then cut out the center of both leaves, leaving a 1/2-inch border. 7. Using your leaf frame as a guide, trim your laminated tissue paper. 8. Glue laminated tissue paper into frame. 9. Poke hole in the tip of your leaf for a hanger. 10. Insert a piece of ribbon through the hole and tie a knot. Hang on suction cup hanger. 11. Hang your leaf for the world to enjoy! (Nature Craft from Kids' Crafts) |
|
| October 2010 |
1. Cut out shapes out of paper. They can be any kind you want: hearts, stars, birds, anything! 2. Decorate your cutouts with markers. 3. Tape your cutouts to your windows so birds know that something's there and to avoid it! |
|
| November 2010 |
1. Tie 8" string around middle of pinecone. Make a loop. 2. Pour birdseed on plate. 3. Take knife and spread peanut butter or Crisco over the pinecone. Be sure not to get peanut butter on the loop part of the string! 4. Roll peanut butter-covered pinecone in plate of birdseed, making sure to cover all the peanut butter with seed. 5. Hang your bird feeder on a tree branch, preferably outside a window so you can see the birds come and enjoy it! |
|
| December 2010 |
1. Examine your objects in natural light. What colors are they? 2. Plug or screw in a black light and turn it on. 3. Turn off other lights and cover any windows so your black light is the only light in the room. 4. Put your objects under or near the black light. Are there any changes in color? Do they glow? Glowing means they have a fluorescence activator in them! |
|
| January 2011 |
1. Fold brown construction paper in half and trace hand with fingers slightly spread. Cut out so you have two hand shapes. 2. Trace your bare foot on tan construction paper and cut out. 3. Using the white and yellow construction paper, create feet and a head for your eagle. 4. Position your footprint heel-side up. Glue white head to heel. 5. Place handprints with fingers pointing downwards as wings (see picture) and glue in place. 6. Add feet to your bird.
7. Draw feathers, decorate your eagle, and you're done!
|
|
| February 2011 |
1. Cut a circle and a larger oval out of the brown construction paper. Cut two smaller circles as well. The oval shall be your body and the circle and small circles the head and ears. 2. Make a face on the circle using crayons, markers or googly eyes. 3. Glue the ears to the head. Then glue both the head and the body to the popsicle stick. 4. Cut a small slit in the cup and decorate the outside to look like the outside of a groundhog's burrow. 5. Insert the bottom of the stick into the hole.
6. Congratulations! Your pop-up groundhog is now
complete! Will it see its shadow? |
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| March 2011 |
1. First string the dark blue bead. This bead represents water collecting in bodies of water. 2. Next add on the green bead on top of the dark blue bead. This bead represents the plants that use the water in the ground and then transpire it. 3. On top of the green bead, string the yellow bead. This bead represents the sun that provides the energy for water to become water vapor. 4. After the yellow bead, add the clear bead. This clear bead represents the air when the water vapor rises up, but has not become a cloud yet. 5. Next add on the white bead. This bead represents the clouds that form when the water vapor condenses. 6. Finally, add the light blue bead. This bead represents precipitation that falls back from the clouds.
7. After you've strung your beads, tie the bracelet
in a circle to complete the cycle. Be sure it is a comfortable size around your wrist,
and that you're able to take
it off! |
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| April 2011 |
1. Draw a Sun shape on the foam and cut it out. 2. Decorate your Sun with glitter glue, markers or anything else you prefer. 3. When glue is dry, staple streamers to the bottom half of your Sun. 4. Punch a hole in the top of the Sun and put your yarn through it as a hanger. 5. Hang your art so it can sparkle in the sunlight and will be certain to catch a good breeze! (Nature Craft from The Idea Box) |
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| May 2011 |
See illustrated instructions here! 1. Tie yarn around one of the dowels and form a cross with the other. 2. Wrap string around the sticks going clockwise, looping the string twice around every stick. When you have made a sturdy cross, tie off yarn and trim extra. 3. Thread needle with thin string. 4. String your cranes by sticking the needle through the puffy part of their bodies. You can thread several on top of each other or just string them singularly. You can also tie beads at the end or between your cranes. See here for bead techniques. 5. Tie strung cranes to hang from your dowel cross. Double- or triple-knot them. 6. Double-knot 1 ft. of string on one side of the horizontal part of the cross. Then double knot the end on the other side of the cross so that you have a loop. 7. Trim off any extra string or yarn and hang your crane mobile! |
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| June 2011 |
1. Fold your paper plate in half. 2. Cut a small hole in the center of the folded plate. 3. Decorate the top half of your plate to look like a frog. You can cut eyes to pop out or use googly eyes. 4. Place party blower inside the plate, with the mouthpiece through the hole and the curled part sticking out of the bottom with the curl facing upwards. Tape in place. 5. Tape or staple the open end of the paper plate. 6. Viola - you have a frog face! Have fun blowing on the mouthpiece to make your frog's tongue roll out! |
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| July 2011 |
1. Paint the bottom-sides of the paper plates yellow and let dry. 2. Paint black stripes across the plates and add eyes and a face. Let dry. 3. While paint is drying, cut four wings out of the tissue or wax paper. Once your bee is dry, attach the wings with glue or staples to the top plate. 4. Using the pencil, poke two holes in the plate above the eyes and thread the pipe cleaner through them for antennae. 5. Glue or staple the triangle of black paper to the back of your bee, giving it a stinger. 6. Staple the two plates together so they form a pouch, or bee body, leaving an opening in the back with enough space for your hand to fit through. 7. Place your bee puppet on your hand and buzz around! back to craft index |
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| August 2011 |
1. Wash your rock to make sure it is nice and clean. Let it dry in the sun. 2. If you want to, paint your rock with various colors and patterns and let dry. Add a face and/or glue googly eyes to it. Let it dry overnight. 3. You now have your very own personalized rock buddy! Take it on adventures, take some photos, keep in a special place, make some more rock friends and family, add a magnet, or string on a necklace!
4. Consider checking out the
"Rock Thoughts"
project with your new pal. |
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| September 2011 |
1. Take several long strands of grass and put them through your key ring. Double them over so they are looped through the ring. 2. Braid your strands together. You may also add beads or embroidery floss as you go. 3. Tie off the braid and wrap embroidery floss around the knot or add beads to the end. 4. Consider weaving in real or fake wildflowers. (You could dip these in wax to keep them from crumbling.) 5. Hang some keys off your new key chain! |
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| October 2011 |
1. Fold the two square corners at the bottom of the bag to form the raccoon head. 2. Cut from the white construction paper two large circles (masks), three small circles (nose and eyes), two medium triangles (ears) and a large oval (stomach). 3. Cut from the black construction paper two tiny circles (pupils), one small circle (nose), two large black circles (mask), two large triangles (ears) and two large ovals (paws). 4. Glue the black pupils on two of the small white circles. Layer the remaining circles to form the mask around the eyes. Glue the black medium "nose" circle on the white "nose" circle. Then paste your eyes, mask and nose on the paper bag's "face." 5. Glue the large white oval on the stomach of your paper bag and glue arms to the sides of the paper bag. 9. Glue small and big triangles together to make ears and glue to top of the puppet's head. 11. Viola! Your puppet is ready to act! (Nature Craft adapted from |
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| November 2011 |
1. Melt butter in saucepan over low heat. Add marshmallows and stir until completely blended. Remove from heat. 2. Add Rice Krispies and optional vanilla. Stir until well-coated. 3. Divide mixture into two bowls. Add one food coloring to one bowl and another color to the second - a few drops is all you need! Mix well. (You can mix with your hands - be sure to wash them before and after!) 4. Being careful of the temperature, use your hands to combine blue Rice Krispies and green Rice Krispies to make your own Rice Krispie planet! 5. Let cool completely on wax papered surface. 6. Enjoy!
*Note* Be careful of the amount of food coloring
used--your teeth may stain! |
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| December 2011 |
1. Go outside and look for animal tracks. Point out features like size, shape, paws or hooves and talk about what kind of animals made them. 2. Find a clear patch of snow. 3. Using your own boots, hands and a little imagination, create your own type of tracks. Can you integrate other props like a pinecone or treebranch to make toes or claws? What kind of imaginary animal would make these? What's it called? What does it act like? What does it eat? Where is it going? 4. When you're done with the tracks, go inside and draw the creature you made tracks for. Write a story about it! |
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| January 2012 |
1. Mix together the coffee, coffee grounds, flour, and salt in the mixing bowl. 2. Knead the dough together and then flatten it out on the wax paper. 3. Use the can or butter knife to cut out slabs for your fossil. 4. Place your object on your slab in order to make an indentation. When you remove it, the fossil indentation remains. Or you can draw an indentation with a toothpick. Poke a hole in the slab with a toothpick if you wish to hang your fossil.
5. Let dry overnight or up to two days. If you wish,
use string to hang your fossil. |
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| Special #1 |
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