Leaf Art

• Leaves can be used for a variety of different projects and allow children to learn about the differences between various plants at the same time. You can either use fallen leaves that you find on the ground or go and specifically pick leaves from the trees. For younger children, find some different leaf shapes. Place them underneath a blank sheet of paper and have the children use their favorite color of crayon to do a leaf rubbing. By rubbing the crayon on the paper, the shape and pattern of the leaf texture comes through on the paper. You can then use these rubbings to make additional drawings based on the shape of the rubbing. Turn your leaf into an animal or some other object. Different shaped leaves can also be used to glue onto paper to make various designs.
  
  

Pine Cone Bird Feeders

• Pine cone bird feeders are easy to make and create a fun project that can attract neighborhood birds to your yard. Find large pine cones and tie a string to the top. With a plastic knife or their fingers, have the children spread peanut butter to completely cover the pine cone. Roll the peanut butter covered pinecone in a variety of different bird seeds to completely cover it. Have your children decide where a good place to hang the feeder would be and hang it. Try to find a location that you can see from inside and go in and wait for the birds to arrive. This can be a learning craft as well. As the birds arrive at your new feeders, try to identify each bird.
  
  

Sand Paintings

• While most people think of sand as something you can make sand castles with at the beach, it makes a great tool for art and creativity. At many local art supply stores you can purchase colored sand. With simple children’s glue, have your children draw designs on blank paper. Sprinkle the different-colored sand on the glue to create a raised sand drawing.
  
  

Pet Rocks

• Started in 1975 by an advertising executive named Gary Dahl, the pet rock, according to Super70s.com, quickly became a fad of the 1970s. While the original pet rock fad was short-lived, the idea became the grounds for a great outdoor craft project. Take your children on a walk throughout the neighborhood, a local park or even right in your own backyard and have them find the rock shape and size that will make their perfect pet. With some paint, maybe some bobble eyes and some glue, have them use their imaginations to create their ideal pet. Make sure you wash the rock before you paint so that any dirt is removed and the paint will stick better.