What You Need

• Easy-to-carry bag or container

• Collection of natural items (leaves, seeds, grass, sticks, feathers, etc.)

• Tape and clear contact paper

How to Do this Activity

Encourage your child to collect treasures from the ground during your nature walk. Place items in a bag or container — naming them together as materials are gathered. Bring everything home and lay the items on a table (be mindful of choking hazards). Tape a piece of clear contact paper, sticky side up, to the table or another flat surface, such as the floor or a wall. ). Work together to arrange the items on the sticky paper. When finished, adhere the sticky paper to a window. The light will shine through, illuminating the natural objects.

What Your Child Learns

Exposure to nature is vitally important to children’s health and well-being. This activity builds an appreciation for the aesthetic beauty of natural objects. Your child begins to notice differences and similarities between items while learning to identify and name various natural materials. Encourage thoughtful observation and questions as you work together.