The world is still and bright after the first frost. It is a good time to go out! A walk can be a hunt for craft items. We do not buy toys made of plastic. Instead, we use cones from trees. We use twigs and ice. This slow craft work helps us feel calm. I want to show you how to turn yard finds into art. These crafts look great on a shelf. Are you ready to get messy? Let us go!
1. Charming Pinecone Forest Friends
Pinecone Forest Friends Pinecones feel neat. We turn them into small pets. Kids use scraps of felt and glue. They give them faces. I use old rags to make them look soft. This helps kids feel the woods. These pets look cute on a sill!
2. Sun-Catcher Ice Mandalas
When it is cold, we make “ice gems.” We put green bits, red fruit, and fruit slices in water. Then we let them freeze. It is a fun trick. Use hot water first to make the ice clear. Hang them on the porch for the birds to see. Watching the light hit them is very nice.
3. Rustic Twig Stars & Snowflakes
Twigs are free. We pick up sticks to make star shapes. This helps kids learn to tie knots. Use bright yarn or string to hold them. These look great on your door. You can also use them on gifts. You do not need a store to make art.
4. Painted Stone Snowmen Family
Rock Snowman Family You can paint rocks in the cold too! We find smooth stones. We give them a new look. Use white pens for a soft look. It looks like frost. Kids draw faces. They add string for a scarf. These rocks can stay in the yard all year. Kids love to play with their new stone clan!
5. Pressed Evergreen Leaf Prints
Leaf Prints Do not throw away green tree scraps! Use tree needles to make art. Put a bit of paint on them. Press them on paper. This leaves a pretty shape. Kids love the “prickly” feel. Use blue and green paint. These make great cards!
6. Walnut Shell Nutcracker Boats
Walnut Shell Boats Nature has the best small toys. Save your shells after you eat. Put a bit of wax in the shell. Add a small leaf or a dried flower. This task needs a steady hand. It is a good way to stay calm. The shells and herbs smell sweet. Even small “trash” can be art.
7. Birch Bark Winter Lanterns
Only use bark that is on the ground. Do not peel it off live trees! Wrap the bark around a glass jar. Put a small light in it. The bark will glow with a warm light. This makes dark nights feel cozy. Tie some string on top for a nice look. It brings the woods to your table.
8. Acorn Cap Whistles & Ornaments
Acorn Cap Ornaments Acorn caps are like small gems. We paint the rim with white paint. This makes them look like snow. You can hang them up as small toys. Older kids can blow on them to make a sound. These small bits of nature are fun to look at in a bowl.
9. Bird-Friendly Popcorn Garlands
This is a fun craft! We put corn and fruit on a long string. This keeps small hands busy. It also helps birds find food in the cold. We hang the strings on the bush. Now we can watch the birds eat. It is a great way to help the birds.
10. Cardboard & Moss Winter Houses
Cardboard Moss Houses We use old boxes to make a small town. Glue moss and small rocks to the roofs. This makes them look like huts. It is a good way to use things you find on a walk. The green moss looks bright on the brown box. You can add more to your town each day!
11. Mud & Seed Earth Hearts
Who says you can’t play with mud in the winter? We mixed a little bit of soil with water and birdseed to mold these “earth hearts.” Once they dry out (or freeze!), they act as a slow-release feeder for the ground-feeding birds. It’s a very “earthy” and tactile project that kids absolutely adore. No fancy tools are needed—just your hands and a bit of imagination. It’s one of those crafts that reminds us that beauty can be found in the most basic elements of our planet.
12. Salt Dough Nature Impressions
Salt dough is a staple in my DIY arsenal. We pressed evergreen needles, pinecones, and even dried seed pods into the soft dough before baking. The result is a fossil-like ornament that captures the essence of winter forever. I recommend adding a drop of cinnamon or pine essential oil to the dough so they smell just as good as they look! These are wonderful keepsakes to look back on years from now. They feel very “heirloom,” which is a big trend in home decor right now—quality over quantity.
13. Pine Needle Paintbrushes
Why use a plastic brush when nature provides its own? We bundled long pine needles together and lashed them to a stick to create organic “brushes.” The textures they create on paper are so unique—you get these fine, sweeping lines that you just can’t get with a regular brush. It’s a great way to experiment with abstract art. The kids loved “harvesting” their own tools from the yard. It turns the whole process of painting into a full-circle nature experience from start to finish.
14. Stick & Yarn Weaving
We found some “Y” shaped branches and turned them into mini looms! By wrapping colorful wool yarn across the “fork,” kids can weave in bits of dried grass, feathers, or small twigs they find. It’s a very meditative process that really settles the “winter wiggles.” The combination of the rough wood and the soft yarn is a beautiful example of “hygge” in crafting. These look lovely hanging on a bedroom wall, adding a touch of handmade warmth to any space.
15. Dried Orange & Star Anise Ornaments
These are a sensory delight! We sliced oranges thin and dried them in a low oven until they looked like stained glass. Stringing them together with star anise and cinnamon sticks makes the whole house smell like a winter dream. The natural orange color is so vibrant against the dark greens of a winter tree. It’s a classic, expert-level DIY that is surprisingly easy for kids to help with. Plus, they are completely compostable at the end of the season, which is always a win in my book.
16. Frozen Bubble Photography
While not a “physical” craft you keep, the process of creating “frozen bubbles” is a form of nature art! On a really cold morning, we blew bubbles onto a cold surface and watched the ice crystals grow across the sphere. Taking photos of the results is a great way to involve older kids and teach them about macro photography and light. It’s a fleeting, magical experience that truly celebrates the “art” that nature creates on its own. It’s a great reminder to slow down and notice the tiny miracles.
17. Pinecone Bird Feeders
This is the ultimate “messy-fun” craft. We slathered pinecones in peanut butter (or sunflower butter for a nut-free version) and rolled them in birdseed. It’s a classic for a reason—it works! The kids love seeing the different birds that come to visit their “creation.” It’s a very practical way to connect with the environment. I like to tie them up with a bit of bright red ribbon so we can spot them easily through the window. It’s a win-win: kids stay busy, and the birds stay fed!
18. Nature-Filled Ice Bowls
We used two different sized bowls to create these “ice lanterns.” By filling the gap with water, evergreen sprigs, and red berries, you get a hollow bowl made of ice once frozen! Placing a battery-operated tea light inside creates a stunning glow for your walkway. It’s a “cool” (literally!) way to welcome guests to your home. I’ve found that using distilled water helps keep the ice from getting cloudy, making the nature elements look like they’re trapped in glass. It’s an expert-level look with very little effort.
19. Stick & Leaf Crowns
Winter “kings and queens” need their crowns! We used flexible willow branches to create a base and tucked in “jewels” like dried leaves, sprigs of holly, and even some feathers. It encourages so much imaginative play. My kids spent the whole afternoon playing “forest royalty” in the snow. It’s a great way to use those last few colorful leaves that might be clinging to the branches. It’s all about seeing the potential for “royalty” in the everyday items we find on the ground.
20. Pinecone Hedgehog Family
We turned our pinecone collection into a tiny hedgehog family! Using a bit of air-dry clay for the faces and tiny beads for the eyes, these little guys are almost too cute to handle. The “scales” of the pinecone make perfect hedgehog spikes. It’s a great project for working on fine motor skills and patience. I’ve found that using a bit of brown wash over the clay makes them look more “natural” and fits that rustic DIY aesthetic perfectly. They’re the perfect little “pets” that don’t need any feeding!
