Fun Projects

Nature provides some very interesting materials that can be used in creative (and fun!) projects. Here are a few projects for you to try out. Remember, though, to respect our outdoors. When appropriate, please get your materials from what has already fallen to the ground instead of picking anything off of plants, trees, or bushes.

Do you have a favorite nature project that you'd like to share here? If so, please send it to the biologywebteam@usgs.gov.

Leaf Placemat
Pine Cone Bird Feeder
Homemade Wrapping Paper using Fruit and Veggie Stamping
Sea Shell Picture Frame

Leaf Placemat
Materials needed: leaves, construction paper and clear Contact paper.

This project is especially fun in the fall, when the leaves are all different colors. Take a walk outside and collect some leaves from the ground. (Don't pull them off of the plants!) Take them home and arrange them on a piece of construction paper. Carefully lay a sheet of Contact paper on top of the leaves and paper. (Make sure the Contact paper is a little larger than the paper on all sides.) Press the paper down, starting from the middle, to make it stick all over. Turn the paper over and lay another sheet of Contact paper on the back, again smoothing it down from the middle out. Trim the edges.

Pine Cone Bird Feeder
Materials needed: pine cone, peanut butter, birdseed, string

This one can get messy! Tie the string around the top of the pine cone, making sure to leave room for hanging. Spread peanut butter all over the pine cone and roll it in the birdseed. Hang it outside and watch the birds enjoy.

Homemade Wrapping Paper using Fruit and Veggie Stamping
Materials neeeded: various fruits and vegetables, ink pad (or paints or dyes--easter egg dyes work well) and paper

This one can also get messy! Get your parents to cut up various fruits and vegetables like apples and potatoes. They can also cut designs into the foods, like shapes. Press them on the ink, paint, or dye and then press onto the paper.

Sea Shell Picture Frame
Materials needed: small sea shells, plain wooden picture frame that can be found at craft stores, paint, glue and magnets (optional).

At the beach, collect some small sea shells. Paint the frame whatever color or design you like. If you want, you can paint the shells too. After everything is dry, arrange the shells on the frame and glue them on. If desired, you can stick some magnets to the back to hang it on the refrigerator or file cabinet.

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biology.usgs.gov/features/kidscorner/kcprojct.html
Last Updated: Wednesday, 09-Apr-2003 08:15:00 MDT
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