Crafting / DIY

Build your very own tiny gnome hut! First, find the perfect spot in nature – a tree stump or a soft mossy patch makes a great foundation. Then, gather twigs, sticks, moss, and bark to create a sturdy frame for your little house. You can even decorate pinecones with moss or grass to turn them into tiny gnome inhabitants. Finally, add leaves, ferns, or other natural materials to make your hut even more magical.

A mandala is a geometric pattern or artwork, often designed as a circle with symmetrical, harmonious shapes. You can create one using natural materials. First, find a flat, open spot in nature – maybe a clearing, a forest floor, or a grassy meadow. Here you can lay your mandala. Gather leaves, flowers, pinecones, acorns, stones, and anything else that catches your eye. Start in the center with a larger piece, like a stone or a pinecone. Then, build outward in rings or patterns, carefully arranging your natural treasures in symmetry. Layer by layer, your mandala will take shape – becoming more intricate and beautiful with each step.

There’s no end to what you can discover in the forest. Collect leaves in every color, spiky pinecones, twisted branches, or smooth, glistening stones – every little find has its own story to tell. Maybe you’ll stumble upon a special treasure no one else has noticed before? But remember: only take what has already fallen to the ground and leave nature just as wild and full of life as you found it. What will you discover today? Maybe your collection will turn into a piece of art or a brand-new game? Time to find out – the forest is waiting.

Why stay inside when you can create your own cozy spot outdoors? Find a quiet place – maybe under a tree, by a pond, or in a sunny patch of grass. Lay out a blanket, grab some pillows, and bring along your favorite book or craft supplies. Whether you're painting, reading, or just watching the world around you, everything feels a little more magical outside, and your imagination can truly come to life. And who knows? Maybe a bird or a butterfly will stop by, inviting you to pause for a moment and follow its journey.

Build your own bow and arrow and experience the wild, free feeling of the outdoors. You don’t need much – just a flexible branch, a sturdy string, and straight twigs for arrows. With a bit of skill and creativity, you’ll have your very own handmade bow. Who can hit the target? How far will your arrow fly? Whether you aim at leaves, small pinecones, or imaginary creatures, it’s all about the experience. With your bow in hand, you become part of nature, feeling the strength in your grip, the tension in the string, and the sense of adventure that comes with it. And the best part? There are no rules – you decide how the game unfolds.

Grab a fresh piece of wood and a good knife – early summer is the perfect time to try your hand at whittling. How about making a picture frame? Or a whistle? Whether you’ve found a branch from a tree or a special piece of wood, with a little patience and creativity, you can turn it into a true masterpiece. Carve carefully and slowly to avoid injury. It's best to sit down and make sure that you always carve away from your body. You can even decorate or paint your whistle using natural materials. The scent of fresh wood, the feel of the knife in your hand, and the pride of holding your finished picture frame, figurine, or whistle – that’s pure joy.

How to Carve Your Own Willow Bark Whistle:

1. Choose your wood: Take a fresh, straight willow branch with bark that is easy to remove (about as thick as your thumb and 20 cm long).
2. Carve the mouthpiece: Carve one end of the branch at a slight angle to form a mouthpiece.
3. Remove the bark: Tap the bark all around with a small piece of wood or the back of your knife to loosen it. Then carefully twist and slide the bark off the wood. It remains intact as a sleeve and will be slipped back over the wood later.
4. Carve the air channel: Cut a small notch into the exposed wood, about 2 cm from the mouthpiece. Carve a flat path from the mouthpiece to the notch – this is the air channel.
5. Cut the sound hole: Cut a small, straight hole in the removed bark (sleeve) at the point of the notch.
6. Fine-tune: Smooth the edges of the piece of wood to prevent splinters.
7. Reassemble: Slide the bark sleeve back onto the wood.
8. Test: Blow gently into the mouthpiece and listen to the sound – your whistle is ready.

The meadow is in full bloom – time to make a flower wreath! Carefully pick colorful flowers and a few grasses. Pick them on a walk with family or invite your friends on a flower adventure. Let your imagination guide you, but remember: nature is home to many creatures. Only pick flowers from the edge of the path and never deep in the meadow. Take only what you truly need and let the rest keep blooming. Also, make sure to pick only flowers that are not protected and are allowed to be picked. Tie your flowers into a wreath or a small bouquet. Maybe it will be a gift for a friend or your parents, or you can turn it into your own floral hair accessory. Your creation will be one of a kind – just like nature itself.

Do you love building things? Then head into the forest. Gather large branches, twigs, and leaves to construct your very own woodland hut. Will it be a hideout, a secret shelter, or the headquarters for your next adventure? Just remember to use only loose branches and fallen wood – nature’s creatures need their home too. Once your hut is standing, you can settle in, invite your friends, or start building the next one. You can keep coming back to it, expand it, or decorate it with treasures you find in the forest. The possibilities are endless.

Today we’re exploring the weather! You can build a simple barometer using a glass of water, a balloon, and a straw (instructional video to be added), or hang a piece of fabric outside to see which way the wind is blowing. Or try this: Place a pinecone on your windowsill – it can help predict the weather. If the outer layers are open, the weather will likely stay sunny and dry. If they close up, it means the weather will be damp and wet. Watch the clouds, notice how animals behave, feel the change in the air, and see how the weather changes. Maybe you’ll even start your own weather journal. Who knows – soon, you might become an expert at forecasting the weather!

Create your own nature bingo! It’s super simple: Draw a grid on a piece of paper and write or sketch things you want to find outside – an ant, a colorful flower, a bird, a tree trunk with a funny shape, or even a cloud that looks like an animal. Then head outdoors and start searching. Look closely, listen carefully, and see how quickly you can complete your bingo card. Who will be the first to check off every box? Or who will spot something truly unique? Nature is full of surprises, so keep your eyes open – you might even find something that wasn’t on your list.

What time is it? No watch? No problem. Build your own sundial and discover how the sun marks the day. All you need is a sturdy stick and a flat surface. Place the stick in the ground and watch as its shadow shifts throughout the day. Here, you become the hour hand, moving with the sun. But remember, your clock only works when the sun is shining. If clouds roll in, you might need a little patience – but waiting is part of the adventure too. In the meantime, maybe you'll find other ways to tell time using nature. Look around and let your surroundings inspire you.

A herbarium is a collection of dried plants – a way to capture nature’s stories in leaves that have felt the sun and flowers that have soaked up the rain. To create one, carefully collect leaves, bark, moss, or other plant pieces and press them in a book to dry. Once they’re flat and crisp, glue them into a special notebook or onto paper, labeling them with their names and where you found them. You can also note the date and any special details. Over time, you’ll build a unique plant collection – one that lets you revisit your discoveries whenever you like.

While walking through the forest, you spot fresh tracks in the soft ground. A fox has passed through here, its paw prints telling the story of a recent adventure. Was it searching for food or simply wandering? As you continue, you notice more tracks – maybe from a deer or a rabbit that darted through the underbrush. Every footprint holds a hidden story, waiting for you to uncover.

How to Make a Plaster Cast of Animal Tracks

1. Find the most beautiful and distinct footprint.
2. In a cup, mix a small amount of plaster, and ask an adult for help. Choose the amount according to the size of the track.
3. Carefully fill the footprint with plaster. Be sure to add a little extra plaster so that it definitely holds together firmly.
4. After the plaster has dried, you can carefully release the plaster cast from the earth. Use a stick or another tool, but be sure not to damage your cast.
5. Gently remove the cast from the earth. Once the soft earth is dry, you can easily brush it off.