When I was a child, I loved to make long dandelion chains and would go around the yard collecting the little weeds for hours; our yard never looked better. 🙂
My childhood was a good one, right out of the city limits on my grandmother’s country property. I had hours of free time and thoroughly took advantage of the adventure waiting outdoors.
Now that I’m a mother in the digital age, it’s easy to succumb to planting my children in front of the TV, handing them the iPad, or letting them play computer games when I want to keep them busy. I’ll make the excuse that what they’re watching or playing an educational game and so it’s OK.
Really, they need time to roam and play free of any outside influences. That’s why I love Nature Weaving.
God’s creation is healing to the body and soul. So, I send my children outside each day to get fresh air, vitamin D, and some exercise.
But it’s not always sunshine and butterflies. My kids get into fights, they complain about being bored, they try doing dangerous things. When that happens I like to give them some thing productive to do.
Recently I showed them how to weave with plants. We went outside and collected long lily grass, lavender and wild flowers.
After 30 minutes of collecting, and eating a few strawberries, we brought everything inside so I could show them how. Now they do it all the time.
With a little tape, we lined up the long strands of grass like a loom and weaved other’s through them. The lavender and wild flowers made great accents.
It isn’t really about the product, but about how they use their imagination to create something with nature.
Audrey is 6 and did really well with this craft. My two-year-old loves picking the grass, piling it up, and taping it together. It’s great for scissor skills too. Does he like weaving? Eh, not so much.
After my children got tired of weaving, we hung our creations up in the window and let them dry. They still have the sweet lavender scent and look great even after they’re dried.
Have you weaved with nature before? Please leave a comment, I’d love to hear about it!
Joyce says
I love this idea and will use it with my grandchildren. Thank you!
Joyce recently posted…Skeletons In My Closet!