From “Shapes in Nature” to building your own bird feeder, Montgomery Parks’ Online Arts & Crafts Programs offer fun activities for little ones and adults alike. Make a suncatcher or dye some eggs, then make sure you visit our nature centers and gardens. Or, check out our Parks & Trails directory to find an outdoor amenity near you!

Nature Fairy Craft

Yellow

Let’s make Fairy Fashion today!
1. Collect natural materials from your backyard. Look for things with different textures, shapes and colors.
2. Draw a simple outline of your fairy. It doesn’t have to be perfect. Add a sense of movement. This helps the fairy come alive!
3. Cut out sketch and assemble her outfit. Do not glue. Allow your child to try out different combinations and looks.
4. Glue. This part may require an adult. I used hot glue because I have very little patience but Elmer’s glue works fine too. It will just take longer to dry.
5. Play with Fairy in her natural habitat!

Snake ID craft

It is spring and our reptiles are awake and on the move! Did you know Maryland is home to 27 species of snakes, all of which play a vital role in a healthy ecosystem?

How many of these amazing creatures can your family identify? Here is one great way to practice your snake ID: Draw a spiral snake outline and pick one to illustrate and cut out. Remember, venomous snakes have arrow-shaped heads while non-venomous snakes have more square-shaped heads.

For younger artists, identify the shapes and colors found on your chosen snake. For older artists, learn the patterns that make this snake unique and one species-specific adaptation!

Visit the Common Snakes of Maryland Photo Guide by our friends at Maryland Department of Natural Resources for inspiration.

Build your own Bird Feeder

Bring nature closer to home! Make your own bird feeder and see the different kinds of birds that flock to the feeder. Follow instructions for this at-home activity on the National Audubon Society website.

Shapes in Nature

Photo of a heart shaped crevice in a tree Indoor nature fun and learning for preschoolers and their favorite adults:
Find shapes in nature:
1.Use round jar lids of different sizes to trace a circle or a ruler to draw a square, rectangle or triangle.
2.Kids use safety scissors to cut your shapes (Adults supervise and assist with scissors).
3.Crayons or colorful markers to decorate your shapes.
4.Explore your home or yard together in search of matching shapes.

Natural Egg Dyes Craft

Egg, Food, Egg, Easter egg

Looking for something to do with the kids today? Here’s a fun idea to do indoors with them. Use nature’s dyes for dyeing eggs!
*For red or pink: Use two cups boiling water plus one cup grated beets plus two tablespoons vinegar.
*For yellow: Use two cups boiling water plus one tablespoon turmeric spice plus two tablespoons vinegar.
*For green: Use two cups boiling water plus three bags Matcha Green Tea plus two tablespoons vinegar.
*For blue: Use two cups boiling water plus one cup grated or chopped red cabbage plus two tablespoons vinegar.
Then:
1. After mixing the ingredients for a specific color, let it sit for about an hour.
2. Next, strain the vegetable/ or each bag out. The longer the egg sits in the natural dye, the more vibrant the color!

DIY Mosaics Painting

Are you inspired by paint mosaics, but are not sure where to start? This nature-inspired collaborative project is fun for the whole family with only a few steps. Visit the Meadowside Nature Center Facebook page for step-by-step instructions to make your own mosaics painting.

Let’s Make a Suncatcher

Is your recycling building up around the house? Let’s turn it into some cheerful art today. You can turn those plastic bottles into beautiful suncatchers!

Visit the Black Hill Nature Programs Facebook page for step-by-step instructions to build your own suncatcher.

Cardboard Stackers

Looking for some new toys? Let’s recycle all those delivery boxes and make some toys out of them! Visit the Black Hill Nature Programs Facebook page for step-by-step instructions.

DIY Disco Ball

Friday night skates at Cabin John Ice Rink are the best! There is fun music, wild lighting, lots of friends together and a disco ball!

Bring the rink party to your home by following these instructions from The Spruce to make your own disco ball.

Then, put some paper plates under your feet, turn up the tunes, flash some light on your new disco ball, dim the lights and you are ready for your own skating shindig! And remember to bring that disco ball back out into the spotlight for New Year’s!

Magnetic Skater

Looking for a new, fun way to entertain the kids? Missing the rink and the fun times that ice skating brings? Check out this craft idea that will bring the rink to your fingertips…magnetically, of course!

Mini Ice Rink

We recently learned how to make a magnetic skater. Now we will make a mini ice rink that you can use for your lego players to play on. This video explains how to make an at-home mini ice rink, complete with goal posts! Post a picture or video of your completed ice rink in the comments on the Wheaton Ice Arena Facebook page.

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