Discovery and explore creating with natural materials

We like to bring nature into our classroom as much as possible.  There are so many opportunities to learn, create, and explore with natural materials.  And the best part is, most of these items can be found free right outside your door…

Creating with natural materials by Teach Preschool

Incorporating natural materials into the painting process is fun and easy!  We like to take nature walks or go on scavenger hunts to gather our treasures.  Once we have a wide array of treasures, we can add them to paint, mix it all together and voila!  You have nature paint

Creating with natural materials by Teach Preschool

We can also sort our treasures by color and then neatly arrange them on a canvas.  If we add paint, we can create these beautiful drip-drop nature paintings

Creating with natural materials by Teach Preschool

I don’t know a child who doesn’t love to pick dandelions!  Once they have bloomed and all that is left is the fluff, it is the perfect opportunity to try dandelion blow painting

Creating with natural materials by Teach Preschool

When the leaves are falling off the trees, we enjoy reading Lois Ehlert’s “Leaf Man.”  Here is a fun way for children to create their own leaf man

Creating with natural materials by Teach Preschool

Or how about a leaf man puppet

Creating with natural materials by Teach Preschool

No matter the season, these simple mosaics are an interesting and beautiful way to create with seeds…

Creating with natural materials by Teach Preschool

Rocks are also a great material to use in all types of play and discovery.  But you can also create with them.  The book “You Be You” by Linda Kranz provides excellent inspiration for creating colorful rocks

Creating with natural materials by Teach Preschool

Those colorful rocks or just plain ol’ regular rocks can be used to create some Rockin’ drawings

Creating with natural materials by Teach Preschool

Discovery bottles are the perfect vessel for natural materials.  When exploring birds nests, we gather nest building materials and add them to these nature bottles

Creating with natural materials by Teach Preschool

Acorns added to a bottle also make for some really fun sensory shakers

Creating with natural materials by Teach Preschool

Natural materials make for excellent art inspiration!  Seeds, sticks, leaves, rocks, flowers, or other items you may find in nature make great easel starters

Creating with natural materials by Teach Preschool

Now it’s your turn!  What are your favorite ways to create with natural materials?  Scroll on down and join theDiscover and Explore linky fun!

Discover and Explore

Discover and Explore: Creating with Natural Materials

Upcoming Themes:

Currently Open  Creating with Natural Materials

October 30 – Science Experiments for Kids

November 6 – Thanksgiving

November 13 – Cooking with Kids

November 20 – Life Skills

Please read the following guidelines for sharing:

  • Share family-friendly posts related to the weekly topic — kids activities, crafts, recipes, nature outings, printables, etc.
  • By linking up, you are giving me permission to share your post including one photo in our weekly feature post and on social media channels.
  • Visit 2-3 other posts that have linked up, find some new ideas & meet new friends!
  • If you’d like, grab a button for your post — we love to share and want to find lots of great activities to highlight for you!

The linky will remain open for one week. Then all five co-hosts will feature activities in a separate post the Friday after the linky closes. All featured posts will be shared on the Discover and Explore Pinterest Board.  (Be sure to follow so you don’t miss any features!)

The Discover & Explore Team

KC Edventures  **  Buggy and Buddy **  Fantastic Fun & Learning **  Twodaloo

and me!



Deborah J Stewart

Deborah J Stewart

Every time I think I know everything I need to know about teaching young children, God says, "Hold on a minute!" and gives me a new challenge.

Let me tell ya...

With each new challenge that you overcome, you will find yourself better equipped and more passionate about teaching young children.

God didn't call wimps to lead, teach, or care for His children. Nope, he has high expectations, so get ready. You will have to give your very best but after teaching for over 30 years, I can tell you that it is a wonderful and rewarding journey.

Whenever your calling feels hard, just remember, 'He who began a good work in you (and in the children you serve) will be faithful to complete it.'

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