Pumpkin Carved Naturally
Carving jack O' lanterns is certainly a tradition of the season. This natural, face-less lantern adds a little flair (and twinkle) to the standard version. (An adult is needed for this craft.)

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.
Next, cut a hole for an electrical plug in the back of pumpkin, near its base. Through the top opening, place indoor-outdoor twinkle lights inside your pumpkin, feeding the cord and plug through the hole in the back. From interior, poke individual lights into berry holes, keeping the remaining lights inside pumpkin or trailing out the back if desired.

(Adapted from sunset.com)

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Constellation Canister
While you're searching for planets in the night sky, take time to learn the constellations - they often offer a reference point in finding your planetary point of light. Here's a fun way to practice:

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.
Now you can quiz yourself: Choose one of the canisters and read the name. Look through it to try to remember the pattern. Slowly turn the canister and observe. Try to learn the constellations without looking at the names. Then go outside to find the patterns in the night sky!

Nature Craft adapted from NASA

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Recycled Crayons
Homemade gifts always warm the heart. One that's recycled, can serve double duty as a both a thoughtful gift and a reduction of waste. These recycled crayons can be made in any shape but are shown here formed in heart-shaped muffin tins - you can get as creative as the supplies available at your house allow. Here's how to get started:
Use a table knife to chop old crayons (paper peeled off) into pea-size pieces (parental assistance may be necessary). Take care to keep colors separate so inspired color combinations can be created. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 150 degrees. Now, fill muffin tins with crayon pieces, arranging them in interesting designs.
Bake your new crayons just until the waxes melt, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove the shapes after they have cooled. If they stick, place the tray in the freezer for an hour, and the crayons will pop out.
Don't forget to make a set for yourself!

Nature Craft from MarthaStewart.com

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Seed Feed for the Birds
When winter birds awake from their night-time torpor, they are in critical need of replenishing their stored fat in order to make it through the following night. Make breakfast a cinch for your feathered friends with these easy-to-make bird feeders.

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.

(Nature Craft adapted from Box Tops For Education)

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Skunk Suit
Who says costumes are only for October? Mid-winter days are perfect for skunking around - for real skunks and kid-skunks alike.

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.
To make the tail, cut a rectangle with a rounded end, from the black faux fur and a matching one from the white. Sew the two together, leaving the flat ends open. Stuff with fiberfill (or recycled packing peanuts), then sew the ends shut. Sew the flat end of the tail to the bottom rear of the sweatshirt. If you want your tail to stand up, sew nylon thread through the top of the tail and attach it to the back of the sweatshirt.
For finishing touches, use face paint to color your child's nose black and draw whiskers -- and you're ready to waddle through the snow, skunk style!

(Nature Craft adapted from FamilyFun.com)

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Marbled Eggs
Spring-time bird watching often includes witnessing birds making nests and, if you're lucky, laying eggs. Create your own beautiful bird eggs with this fun technique.

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!

(Nature Craft from Kaboose.com)

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