DIY Nature Art Display — Play Beyond The Lines

cardboard flower vase

Ready to spark some interest on your next nature walk? Give your littles a purpose with this DIY Nature Art Display. It is sure to add some excitement and encourages everyone to take a closer look at the world around them.

What seems like such a simple activity turned into so much more with this simple addition. The cardboard vases provided a way to collect those inevitable nature treasures (although we still ended up with some sticks and rocks in our pockets lol). It encouraged us to slow down and take a closer at the natural world around us. My favorite part was letting the little one take the lead. I could see her pride and excitement as she called me over bending down to examine a flower or rock. I let her determine the pace and when to stop. It was such a fun addition to our nature exploration and one that we are sure to repeat.

How to Create Your Own

This is such a simple activity to set up. Begin by cutting out two pieces from a recycled cardboard box (thank you Amazon). Using a permanent marker, draw a vase toward the bottom of the cardboard. Be sure to leave space above the vase for all of the flowers and foliage to be displayed. You may choose to color or decorate the vase. I opted to keep them plain as I made these just before we set out.

Next, use a sharp-end to poke holes randomly above the vase. Be sure the holes are large enough for flower stems to be threaded through. You may want to make them a little larger for young fingers to work with. The threading provides fine-motor practice and stems can make it tricky. After these steps, you are ready to go!

Nature Walk

The nature walk can take place anywhere. You can wonder your backyard or hit a local nature trail. A child-led nature walk is a perfect way to approach this activity. Check out the post here for all the benefits of letting the child lead the way. No matter how you approach it, this walk will have you moving a little slower and taking in all of the natural surroundings. As you come across wildflowers and various plants, be sure you are aware of what you are collecting. You wouldn’t want to end the adventure with an itchy reaction.

We hope this DIY Nature Art Display encourages you to go on an outdoor adventure. Be sure to come back and share your adventures with the community in the comments below. Happy trails!