Autumn. Nature's Playground

Autumn

craft supplies,,,conkers, pine cones, acorns, leaves and sticks

Autumn is well and truly upon us and I am looking for inspiration from our growing Autumn nature collection for craft ideas to keep the children busy during half term. Everywhere we go the children are picking up leaves and conkers and  Red Ted Art has some fabulous ideas as always but my three are all at very different levels in terms of their artist and creative abilities (ranging in age from 12 years old to 17months!) so my half term craft project will take a bit of planning this year. 

We need to go on a couple more nature walks to add to our collection of conkers, acorns leaves and pine cones so that there is a good supply. I absolutely love this time of year, the colours are beautiful. Autumn really is a season to be embraced because in my opinion it's all too quickly over. Nature really does provide opportunities for exploration and adventure and if you let them children will enthusiastically engage with their natural environment at  this time of year and with such exciting materials to be found the possibilities for craft are endless. Recent studies carried out by the RSPB and The National Trust show a worrying disconnect between children and  nature, highlighted by the BBC's Environment Correspondent Matt McGrath  this week. Perhaps this revelation will encourage parents and schools to allow children to explore, enjoy and learn from nature but we have to let them get out there and experience it.

This weekend we will be out in local woodland walking through the crispy leaves, getting muddy, building dens and collecting............I can't wait.