Easy, Autumnal, Nature Crafts – Number 1

Hello everyone!

I thought I would save some of the crafts for half term to last throughout Lockdown 2.0!

I came across Mud and Bloom on Instagram, and I was so impressed – please check them out!

Mud and Bloom boxes are a monthly subscription delivering seasonal nature and gardening crafts and activities to your door. Each box contains everything required for 4 activities along with instructions, nature news and games to teach children about the seasons, plants, insects, birds, soil and rainfall. How amazing is that?!!

They have placed an age range of 3-8 year old children (or if you are a child at heart then this is perfect for yourself!) and are dedicated to the education of young children and components have been designed in support of the national curriculum with influence from Forest School, Steiner and Montessori education.

Now as a company that promote the connection of children to nature, of course their packaging and components are environmentally friendly. They source plastic free materials and recyclable packaging, use certified organic and biodynamic seeds and organic peat free compost pellets. 

‘I hope the boxes help you and your children to learn, explore and enjoy nature together!’

Anja, founder of Mud and Bloom.

Although I do not have a box, they also share some amazing activities you can attempt yourself. I seized this opportunity and decided to try and make the Autumn Nature Mobile and preserve it with Beeswax.

I went on a gorgeous walk in some local woodland and collected bits of nature treasures as I went along. Choose items with varying colours, textures and sizes. Remember if you are using berries, don’t strip it bare – leave some for the birds!

All you need is:

 

• Autumn treasures such as leaves, pinecones, conkers, berries etc.

• Beeswax

• Old pan or metal jug (to melt the beeswax in)

• Scissors

• Sticks

• Cotton thread/wool yarn/garden twine. 

• Newspaper

• Wash pegs

• Cardboard box

 

 

1.Make sure your treasures are free from any bugs, insects and debris and assemble a stand or something to clip the leaves too after they have been dipped in the wax. 

 

2. Put wax in an old tin and place that in a pan of water. Heat through until the wax has melted, don’t boil it.

 

3. Quickly dip your autumnal treasures into the molten beeswax – be careful of your fingers.

 

4. Clip them to the canes over your box and let the excess run off and leave to set (this doesn’t take very long at all).

 

5. Cut your string into lengths (this could be the same or varying sizes, it’s up to you).

 

6. Tie the string to your treasures.

 

7. Attach to your chosen stick.

 

8. Tie your mobile up and admire the gorgeous colours and textures of autumn – and your hard work of course!

Let me know if you choose to have a go too!

Charlotte

xoxo