5 Kids’ Art Projects to Celebrate the Environment

This is a partnered post.

Engaging in eco-friendly activities and shifting toward zero-waste living will help create a better future for our children. Instilling these same values in the next generation will help foster a culture that cares about the Earth and all the creatures that call it home.

One of the best ways to get kids engaged and connected is using art. Here are five kids’ art projects to help celebrate the environment.

Create an Animal Habitat

Creating an animal habitat is a great way to develop creative skills while learning about how animals live. Work with your child to choose an animal and learn more about where it lives, what it eats, and what it needs to survive. Then, use a recycled shoe box and craft materials to create that animal’s habitats.

You can also work with your child to create their favorite animal using natural materials and recycled art supplies. There are plenty of lion, bunny, dolphin, and penguin craft ideas for inspiration: artistic skills are not required.

Make Seed Paper

Making seed paper is another fantastic way to celebrate the environment while getting creative. For this craft, you can repurpose used paper— such as old school work. Choose some easy-to-grow wildflower seeds for the best possible results. In addition to being more likely to grow, these seeds are also ideal for pollinators like butterflies and bees.

Use the seed paper to write notes to friends, color pictures, and make lists as needed. When the paper is no longer needed, plant it in the ground and watch your flowers bloom.

Preserve Some Flowers

Don’t you wish the flowers that bloom during the summer months would stay all year round? Luckily, there are several ways to preserve flowers so that you can admire their beauty whenever you like.

One of the best ways to preserve flowers is to dry a bouquet. Work with your child to put together a floral arrangement, then hang it upside down to dry in a cool, dry area for a few weeks.

You can also press flowers using two pieces of paper and a stack of heavy books. Leave them for a couple of weeks, then frame them or use the pieces to create a scrapbook. This is also a great way to use your seed paper.

If you’re ambitious, dip some flowers in resin to create window hangings, paperweights, and wind chimes. These make great gifts and are a stunning reminder of how beautiful nature can be.

Create a Nature Mandala

This craft combines the joy of art with exploring nature. A mandala is a geometric design traditionally used for meditation practice and balance. If you have a child who wants to keep every stick and rock they find outside, this is the perfect (temporary) art project for them.

Have them create the objects they wish to use for their piece, then lay them out in a circular design to create their nature mandala. Then, have them focus on the piece and think of something positive they want to happen. Consider leaving this beautiful piece of natural art for someone else to discover and enjoy.

Create Natural Garlands

Creating natural garlands is a fun way to decorate your outdoor bushes, fence, or deck during the winter months. The garland will act as a seasonal decor piece while also providing a much-needed source of food to birds and wildlife during the winter months.

Include things like cranberries, popcorn, dried fruit, and pinecones covered in peanut butter and bird seed. Choose natural string options, like unsealed twine or cotton that biodegrades over time.

You’ll have fun with these creative natural art projects, leaving the world a little more beautiful than how you found it.