Becky Goddard-Hill enthuses about the benefits of nature craft and play, sharing some ideas for autumn that are eco-friendly, free, creative, and fun
After a year that has seen more time spent indoors than any other, children’s screen time has seen a significant increase, and many have struggled with their emotional wellbeing. We need to get our children back outside, roaming and reconnecting with our beautiful and healing planet.
The world is opening up to us again and it is time to embrace it with open arms.
The benefits of nature craft and play
There are so many benefits to getting children out and about in nature. We all know that daylight, fresh air and exercise are vitally important to children’s physical health but actually spending time in nature is fantastic for children’s emotional health too. We all want our children to be well and happy and nature has always been conducive to that. Research led by the Wildlife Trusts showed that “Children’s wellbeing increased after they had spent time connecting with nature… and [the children] demonstrated high levels of enjoyment.”
Awesome autumn
Shorter days, a chill in the air and back to school can turn children into reluctant outdoor adventure seekers and they may need more encouraging. We need them to recognise how awesome autumn is!
Amazing changes take place in nature in autumn and there are so many treasures to be found. With acorns, pinecones, sticks and conkers, plus feathers and leaves of every shape, size and colour, it is a great time to get exploring, playing, crafting, and making art from nature.
I have found that children sometimes just need a purpose.
Autumn mandala making
A mandala is simply a circle pattern with a design that evolves from its centre. It is a fun project for children to make a mandala, giving an incentive to a nature walk as they happily gather up fallen natural treasures along the way to make their art.
Children need little encouraging to make mandalas once they have made their first – it is a craft for every season and the results will be different and impressive every time.
Creating a mandala is an act of focus and concentration. Pattern-making demands that we are entirely present, and, in this way, it is an act of mindfulness. Whilst making their mandalas, children can distance themselves from any worries and be entirely in the moment, which of course enables their busy brains to relax.
This works for us adults too, so do join in their mandala making – or make your own if they want their creation to be entirely their own work.
Working with friends or other families means your child could be part of creating a huge mandala that will both look incredible and delight passers-by. Making a mandala in a beautiful setting is restful and creative and makes a gorgeous gift to leave behind for someone else to find.
Mandalas are everywhere in nature, so do also encourage your children to hunt them out to draw or take photos of. Encourage them to look closely at spiders’ webs, flowers or the rings on a tree stump. Then encourage them to look in a mirror, as they even have one in their eye – how amazing is that!
An autumn nature bowl
Gathering in the nature items to make an Autumn Bowl display is another great incentive to get your child on a nature walk, and bringing a little bit of the outside in is a lovely way to welcome in every season. Autumn is rich with colour so makes the perfect season for this. You could use a bowl or a tray or even a plate to showcase your child’s autumn treasures and they will have a wonderful time arranging their display.
It is good to wash any found treasures to remove the dirt. Try not to disturb any insects when collecting, or brush them off gently while still in situ. It is also a good idea to preserve the leaves they have gathered so that they will last as long as possible. A couple of coats of Mod Podge or watered-down PVA glue will do the trick.
Then they should fill the base of the container they are using with conkers. Not only do they look lovely and shiny, but they are great to put things between to make them stand up.
If you have a neighbour or relative who struggles to leave the house then bringing them a gift of an autumn nature bowl will really cheer them up – a local care home may also appreciate this gesture. I have found that children love to gift their creations and their self-esteem gets a boost too.
Crafting and playing from nature is obviously better for the environment than buying plastic toys and glitter for children to play with, as everything is biodegradable. It is also free and accessible. Nature-based activities teach our children to look with wonder and respect at the awe-inspiring world around them, and to appreciate the seasons. They foster wellbeing and creativity too. Nature is quite simply an amazing resource for our children to engage with in every way. As the Children and Nature Network so eloquently says: “Kids need nature, nature needs kids.”
As they immerse themselves in nature craft and play, we have the opportunity to teach our children to only use what is plentiful, to only take fallen objects, not to disturb animals and to give back to nature where possible through spreading seeds, litter picking and being considerate. Playing with nature enables us to teach children to love and respect it, and for our planet’s sake, that education is vital.
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Becky Goddard-Hill lives in Nottingham with her partner and two nature-loving children Frankie and Annalise. She works as a children’s therapist for Action For Children and has written several activity books focused on emotional wellbeing for children. Becky is co-author with Catherine Hughes of A Year of Nature Craft & Play: 52 Things to Make and Do, published by Harper Collins. simpleparenting.co.uk
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First published in Issue 75. Accurate at the time the issue went to print.
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