Nature Crafts for Kids: 50 Fantastic Things to Make With Mother Nature's Help [Paperback]

Gwen Diehn (Author), Terry Krautwurst (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 11 and up

With the 50 colorful craft projects presented here, children can make kites, bamboo whistles, leaf prints, homemade paper, a seed mosaic, snow candles, a star clock, and much more. Each project shows--in full-color photos--how to make something that's useful or attractive or just plain interesting, while the fascinating instructions will help kids see, feel, and understand the natural world around them.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 6 Up-- Patience and money for supplies are required for many of the interesting projects presented here. Candied violets, a wormery in a glass jar, and printing cards are among the simpler activities that utilize readily available materials. However, a bird bath formed in cement, a sawdust kiln for firing clay pots in a garbage can, candle-making, and several pieces of carpentry are much more ambitious and at times risky. Arranged seasonally, the instructions are illustrated with attractive, sharp, full-color photographs of children at work and interspersed with short topical essays on facts and principles related to animals, plants, weather, and astronomy. Generally the explanations are clear and include cautionary advice, but occasionally the information is too simplistic--a beginner might have a pretty tough time, for instance, using a hacksaw to cut out the appealing : animal shapes from plywood to make a wind vane. And how did the snow sculptures get their icy sheen? This rather large volume lies flat for ease of use. Children and adults who enjoy making things will find it an inviting collection in spite of some vagaries. --Margaret Bush, Simmons College, Boston
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 11 and up
  
• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Lark Books (May 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0806983728
• ISBN-13: 978-0806983721
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 8.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,122,649 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Gwen Diehn was born and raised in New Orleans, LA, and studied art at Indiana University at South Bend, The University of Notre Dame (MA), and Vermont College (MFA). She has exhibited her artwork internationally and has work in many private and public collections, including the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington, DC. She has taught college art as well as workshops for many years. She has also written several books about art and also journal keeping and making. One of them, The Decorated Page, is being re-issued in a revised edition/bind-up with another one, The Decorated Journal, in spring, 2012. Her most recent book, Real Life Journals, was listed as one of the top 10 gardening and crafts books of 2010 by Booklist.


You can visit her blog at http://real-life-journals.blogspot.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nature Crafts for Kids, April 4, 2000

By 

A J Risser (Watertown, Wisconsin USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Nature Crafts for Kids: 50 Fantastic Things to Make with Mother Nature's Help (Paperback)

This book contains wonderful ideas for a wide range of ages using items found in nature. The crafts are arranged according to the season in which most of the materials will be found. They give alternate places in which to find some materials or replacemant materials. There are great illustrations and very good step by step instructions for creating the items.

Children that have this book available to them and have the help of an interested adult need not be bored any time of the year.

Projects are fun, instructional and varied. Children can learn to enjoy nature,science and make many useful things using this book. Learning filled with fun and excitement could be a subtitle for "Nature Crafts For Kids".

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars True Crafting Book, May 11, 2006

By 

That Crazy Lady "welikethemoon" (Phoenix, AZ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Nature Crafts for Kids: 50 Fantastic Things to Make with Mother Nature's Help (Paperback)

I recently found this book at my local library and and loved it so much that I am looking to add it to my collection. This is not a book filled with cutsie fifteen minute projects that the kids do on their own, rather it is for adults to explore with kids, actually spending time with them.

My children detest most children's crafts; they would much rather create something that gets used in real life. They can hardly wait to try out the cement birdbath, and are already making the pocket sundials. I am overjoyed to see them finally taking joy in crafting. Projects that take time and effort to finish help teach kids to see things through to the end and give them a greater appreciation for the work others put into their creations.

Another great thing about this book is all of the extra information tucked in. There are boxes and pages dedicated to subjects such as types of bark, how to find the north star, and which birds eat which types of food. There are even sections on tracking animals, wind power, rain facts and how seeds travel. The information is interesting enough without over-doing it.

All in all, an excellent rescource for a parent who wants to spend time exploring nature with kids, or for an older youth who likes nature.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars peaceful, creative, and attractive, October 3, 2006

By 

Hedera Femme (USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Nature Crafts for Kids: 50 Fantastic Things to Make with Mother Nature's Help (Paperback)

This book combines fairly simple craft projects with an eco-friendly approach. Ideas are divided by season, as the availability of materials will vary, and projects range from animal sanctuaries and feeders to rustic toys and arts. The whole book strives to foster a love of and respect for nature, discussing natural phenomena and facts about the everyday things we know little about. The whole feel of the book really worked for me, and I think imparting this respect for our planet is always a good idea, not only because we have to live here and treat our surroundings well, but because nature has so much to offer us. These ideas make for great shared experiences with a family or class. Great fun, educational, and filled with lovely photos and ideas.