
Alec, now 3, got the supplies to make this coaster, trivet or wall hanging at a birthday party. The dough was in a zip-close bag to keep it from drying out. This would be a great affordable activity for preschool, day care or any party, as well as an at-home activity.
What You Need: Purchased or homemade play dough (we love the recipes at www.makeplaydough.com); any size disposable plastic drink cup lid; assorted small rocks and shells (purchased or collect your own.)
How to Make It: Spread play dough into lid. Then, children press rocks and shells into the dough however they’d like. Let dry and pull off the lid. Depending on how “even” the top is, you now have a great coaster or a decorative hanging!
Archive for the ‘nature crafts’ Category
Play dough coaster with rocks and shells
Monday, February 4th, 2008Pinecone turkey
Thursday, October 11th, 2007Here’s a fun Thanksgiving project made with things you can find in nature!

What You Need: Pinecone; 2 acorn tops; 2 googly eyes (optional); scraps of orange and red cardstock or construction paper; 6 to 8 feathers (dyed or natural); scissors; glue.
How You Make It: Use glue to stick feathers in back of upright pinecone. Glue on 2 acorn caps for eyes (they should slide right over the pinecone parts). Add googly eyes. Cut out orange triangle for beak and red wattle shape and glue on.
Pinecone mouse craft
Thursday, June 7th, 2007What You Need: Pinecone, white or black yarn, white or black felt, glue and/or “Glue Dots,” 2 googly eyes, pink or black pompom for nose, scissors, pencil.

How You Make It: Trace ear shapes on white felt twice and cut out. Use liquid glue to adhere ears to top of pinecone. Glue on eyes and nose. Cut length of yarn and adhere at back of mouse for tail.

“We tried it” tip: If your pinecone is not very “dense,” it could be hard to adhere the googly eyes. You could use Glue Dots or a similar gooey adhesive.