Kids don’t need glitter or craft kits to make great art—nature has everything they need. Nature art activities for kids encourage them to work with found materials, experiment with textures, and think creatively about their surroundings. Whether it’s using leaves for printmaking, building sculptures from sticks, or arranging petals into patterns, these projects turn the outdoors into an open-ended art studio.
This list includes a mix of outdoor art projects for children, eco-friendly art activities for kids, and ideas inspired by Reggio Emilia nature activities, making them perfect for both structured and unstructured play. If you’re interested in how nature can shape learning beyond art, check out our guide to Reggio Emilia nature and outdoor learning. For more hands-on ideas, explore easy nature crafts for kids that combine creativity with outdoor play.
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Process-Based Nature Activities: Creative Outdoor Fun for Children
1. Clay & Elderflower Prints
Have you ever thought elderflowers could make art? Grab some clay, and let’s find out! Suitable for the curious and creative aged 4+, this activity is all about exploring the wonders of nature and making cool stuff along the way.
2. Outdoor Tree Bark Rubbings
Let’s take our art supplies outside and see what happens when trees meet paper. Ideal for explorers aged 3+, this simple activity is great for discovering all the amazing patterns nature has hidden right in our backyard.
3. Easy Monoprinting with Nature
Who said printmaking was hard? Grab some leaves and a bit of paint, and let’s make some magic! This activity is perfect for kids of all ages to explore creativity and see the beauty in leaves. Plus, it’s a super fun way to make one-of-a-kind prints!
4. Sunny Day Sun Prints
Sunny days are for playing outside… and making sun prints! This cool science-meets-art project is excellent for ages 4 and up. Watch in awe as the sun does the work and leaves behind stunning blueprints of our favorite objects.
Bring creativity home with The Art Recipe Book! Discover easy DIY recipes like papier-mâché, slime, and salt dough, and plant the seeds for endless fun!
5. Leaf Rubbing Mural
Let’s turn leaves into art with this giant mural project. It’s hands-on, messy, and fun, suitable for the whole family. Not only does it bring out the tiny details in every leaf, but it also creates a masterpiece that’ll have everyone talking.
6. Chalky Leaf Art
Chalk isn’t just for sidewalks anymore. With some leaves and a bit of imagination, we’re turning it into art! This activity is fantastic for artists aged 4+, offering a colorful way to mix nature and creativity on your driveway or paper.
7. Shadow Drawing
Grab those toys, a sunny spot, and let’s trace some shadows! Perfect for the curious little artist in your life, this activity mixes a bit of science with creativity. Suitable for kids 3 and up, it’s a fantastic way to learn about light and shadows.
9. Nature Leaf Mobile
Let’s bring a piece of the outside in with a beautiful leaf mobile. This DIY project is a hit for crafters 5 and up, offering a lovely way to decorate with the colors of nature. Plus, it’s a great excuse to go on a leaf hunt!
10. Beatrix Potter & Nature
Dive into the world of Beatrix Potter and let’s explore nature through her eyes! This activity is perfect for storytellers and budding artists alike, ages 5 and up. It’s a beautiful blend of literature and art, inspiring kids to create their own stories.
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11. Nature Journals
Let’s take a walk, find some cool stuff, and jot it all down in our very own nature journal. Suitable for young explorers aged 4+, this activity combines art, writing, and science in a super fun way. Who knows what amazing discoveries we’ll make?
12. Botanical Sun Printing on Linens
Ever wanted to capture the beauty of nature on fabric? Here’s your chance! This activity is amazing for crafters aged 7+, offering a unique way to make stunning prints on linens using just the sun. It’s art, it’s science, and it’s absolutely magical.
13. Nature Art Frames
Gather some twigs, leaves, and flowers, and let’s frame our world! Perfect for kids aged 4+, this crafty project encourages little artists to frame their favorite outdoor scenes. It’s a wonderful way to appreciate the beauty around us and get creative.
14. Leaf Sewing for Kids
Who says sewing isn’t for kids? With some leaves and a bit of thread, we’re diving into the basics of sewing in a totally fun and safe way. This activity is great for ages 5+, helping to develop fine motor skills and creativity.
15. Nature Creative Collages
Boredom? What’s that? Dive into a treasure trove of easy and fun DIY activities perfect for kids of all ages. Whether it’s crafting, painting, or building, there’s something here to spark everyone’s imagination.
16. Autumn Play Dough & Nature Stamps
Let’s squish, squash, and stamp our way through autumn with some homemade play dough and nature stamps. Ideal for sensory seekers aged 3+, this activity is not just fun; it’s a sensory experience that celebrates the colors and textures of fall.
17. Fall Leaves Crafts
Fall leaves aren’t just for jumping in—they’re for crafting, too! Suitable for crafters aged 4 and up, this collection of leaf-based projects will keep little hands busy and hearts full of joy. It’s the perfect way to welcome the autumn season.
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Nature art and craft activities give kids a reason to look at their environment differently. A pile of leaves isn’t just something to step over—it can be arranged into patterns or turned into paintbrushes. A stick can be a sculpture. A stone can become part of a collaborative land art piece. These projects aren’t about making something to keep forever; they’re about the process, the observation, and the way creativity shifts when you work with what’s around you.
If you’re looking for ways to connect kids with nature beyond art, take a look at the best children’s books about gardening or explore how plants and science intersect with female botanists in history. And if travel is on your mind, these unique gardens around the world might be worth adding to your list.
However you approach it, children’s nature art projects are an easy, low-cost way to encourage creative thinking, problem-solving, and curiosity—no special supplies required.