Materials
- Items from nature, such as acorns, leaves, pinecones, shells, seed pods, rocks, or pebbles
- Tempera paint
- Flat containers, such as Styrofoam trays
- Construction paper or tissue
What to do
1. Go on a nature walk and collect lots of small items from nature.
2. On a table, set out the paints in flat containers and an array of small items from nature. Have the children select an object and dip it into the paint.
3. Encourage them to place the object gently on a piece of paper, then lift it straight up without smudging.
4. Encourage them to make as many prints as they wish.
More to do
- Games: Set out simple prints of the nature objects, and the objects that made the prints. Mix up the objects and ask the children to match the object and its print.
- Math: Invite the children to order groups of acorns according to size, from smallest to largest, shortest to longest, etc.
- Science: Look for patterns and shapes in nature's designs. Go for a walk and observe shapes, colors, and patterns in nature.
-Jill E. Putnam, Wellfleet, MA
