Nature Bracelets and Bookmarks
It is a summer Friday and my energy is feeling that deeply. This morning I needed a simple activity that got us outside without a ton of energy required. Gemma was also feeling the Friday energy and said she wanted to ride in our wagon for the nature walk today. So I grabbed some packing tape, scissors, and a clipboard and we set out to make nature bracelets and bookmarks.
To make nature bracelets, cut packing tape and wrap it around your child’s wrist with the sticky side facing out. Then help your child find nature that they want to decorate their bracelet with.
To make nature bookmarks, cut packing tape and tape it to a clipboard or other surface so that it stays flat, with the sticky side facing out. I used blue painters tape to keep my packing tape in place. The colorful tape also helped my two-year-old understand where to put the nature.
In our family, we distinguish plants that you can pick versus plants that you cannot pick by if it’s, “planted on purpose.” Leaves and petals that have fallen off plants are a great thing to pick. This is also a great time of year for clover, dandelions, and other tiny weed flowers. You may have to help your child find a patch of colorful weed flowers because they can be tiny. Because Gemma wanted to stay in the wagon, I picked up the nature for her and put it on the wagon snack tray. Then she selected the pieces she wanted and made her bookmarks.
When the girls were finished decorating their bracelets and bookmarks, I put a second layer of packing tape on top, sticky side facing the nature, to seal the designs. I recommend bringing the roll of packing tape and scissors with you on your walk so that your kids can keep making new nature creations!
