Easy Kids Summer Nature Crafts

Friend of the Nature Museum Katherine Lampert is here to show us two of our favorite Summer Nature Crafts from past episodes of Curious By Nature! Learn how to make some cool watercolor crayon leaf and nature rubbings and an amazing nature kaleidoscope! You can find a full list of supplies and directions below.

Nature Kaleidoscope

Supplies:
-2 small mirrors
-Masking tape
-White paper
-Something to draw with (crayons, markers, pens — anything you have laying around will do)
-Bag for collecting objects from nature

Directions:
-Go on a nature hunt, collecting as many interesting objects as you can find, such as leaves, stones, twigs, pinecones, or whatever exists in your outdoor surroundings. Bring your treasures back to your “studio.”
-On a flat surface, tape the two small mirrors together, facing each other like a slightly open book. Open to about a 45-degree angle.
-Place a plain piece of paper underneath to eliminate the texture of your work surface.
-Arrange your nature objects on the paper inside the kaleidoscope.
-You can also experiment with sketching your objects on another piece of paper and sliding your drawing under the kaleidoscope.
-Look in the mirror to see your amazing symmetrical designs!

Watercolor Leaf Rubbing

Supplies:
-Wax crayon (any color works, clear or white will give an invisible design)
-Lightweight white paper, such as regular copy paper
-Watercolor paint
-Bag for collecting objects from nature

Directions:
-Go on a nature hunt to collect objects that have some texture, such as leaves with bumpy veins, twigs, flowers and seed pods.
-Back at your “studio” place a sheet of clean paper on your work surface. This will help eliminate the rubbing picking up any surface texture from the table. Arrange your nature objects, textured side up, on top of the paper. Place another sheet of paper on top.
-Using a crayon, begin to create your rubbing. Experiment with pressing very lightly at first and add more pressure later if you want to add more texture.
-Once finished, add a wash of watercolor paint over the top. If you used a clear or white crayon, watch your invisible design appear! If you used a colored crayon, try using paint colors that contrast with the crayon color so that your design really “pops.”
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⇒ Music courtesy of Pixabay: Playful Fun Sunshine No Melody by ​​Musictown
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Favorite Kids Summer Nature Crafts | Curious By Nature

0:00 - Intro
0:41 - Nature Kaleidoscope
3:31 - Nature Rubbing
7:03 - Outro

#SummerNatureCrafts #kidscrafts #crafts #craft #CuriousByNature

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About the Chicago Academy of Sciences / Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
For over 160 years, the Chicago Academy of Sciences / Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum has connected visitors of all ages to nature and science through immersive exhibits, fun family events, conservation research, and in-depth education programs, inspiring the wonder in all of us. Learn more at https://naturemuseum.org/ or buy admission at https://tickets.naturemuseum.org/