Children, teens, and even adults can enjoy the benefits of making art outdoors with natural materials.

As summer shimmers on the horizon, there is no doubt about it: outdoors is the place to be. Despite the challenges of the current moment, local and global, we can find well-being and feel connected[1] in nature. 

Many of us are intuitively drawn to nature in times of stress, uncertainty, or grief. It may come as no surprise, then, that our "nature instinct" is supported by science: being outside can help our children and ourselves feel calmer, healthier, and kinder[2]. Interacting with nature can boost children and youth's mental health, reduce stress, and improve ADHD symptoms[3]. Some experts have even declared time in nature an essential part of a "balanced diet" of childhood experiences due to it's positive effects on children's development and well-being.

While feeling in awe of nature is good for us[4], being creative in nature is another pathway to well-being. Making art can decrease anxiety[5], increase pro-social behaviour[6], and even reduce the levels of cortisol[7] (a powerful stress hormone) in our bodies. 

Read on to learn 10 ways to spark creativity and calm through nature art. 

1. Create a whimsical earthscape. 

Use a garden rake or rope to make a larger-than-life design [8]on the beach at low tide. Target audience: secondary students in grades 8-12. 

2. Get crafty with insect art. 

Be sure to photograph your image (from above works best) before returning materials to the compost bin. Target audience: intermediate students in grades 4-7. 

3. Let nature shine with a flower suncatcher. 

Flowers, petals, herbs, pine needles, leaves, feathers, and other nature objects that can be laid flat work well for this activity. Target audience: primary students in grades K-3. 

4. Make a mandala with natural materials. 

Invite students to walk mindfully around the mandalas upon completion for an added boost of calm. Target audience: all ages.  

5. Bring the beach home with sand art bottles. 

Use recycled glass bottles or jars if possible. If sand in your area is too dark to dye, make beach combing jars [9]instead. Target audience: young students in pre-K to grade 3. 

6. Celebrate British Columbia's Indigenous heritage by weaving a wild blackberry basket. 

Ensure to wear gloves, use native species, and clean the vines well to avoid getting pricked by pesky thorns! Use your basket to collect ripe blackberries or other safe-to-eat foraged foods or traditional plants. Watch master basket maker Brenda Crabtree craft a traditional cedar basket here. Target audience: secondary students in grades 8-12. 

7. Craft a leaf clay dish to preserve nature's beauty year-round. 

Paint the whole dish one colour or decorate it with an intricate design - it's up to you! Target audience: intermediate students in grades 4-7. 

8. Let sunshine make its mark with cyanotope sunprints. 

Be sure to work quickly once the paper is exposed to light - it may help to lay out your design beforehand to get it just right. Target audience: all ages. 

9. Paint an eco-friendly garden flag.[10]

Repurpose used household fabrics into works of garden art! Cotton, canvas, or other natural fibres work best. Target audience: young students in pre-K to grade 3. 

10. Have a whale of a time making rock and sand sea creatures. 

Younger children can activate their imagination by creating a mythical creature such as a mermaid or sea-monster. Target audience: all ages. 

Bonus: Use local plants and flowers to make unique watercolour paints for your nature art projects and beyond!