Hands-On, Open-Ended Creative Kids' Art Activities

Kids need art like plants need sun. In fact, art imitates childhood, when it grows organically and isn't manufactured. I had a sad childhood experience with formula art. A teacher publicly criticized my piece for not fitting the mold.
Admittedly, I didn't follow directions. She specifically said start drawing in the middle of the page. And I drew a boat along the bottom. I completely forgot, being caught up in the joy of creating. And it killed my confidence. Here's how not to let that happen with kids. Art Imitates Childhood: Hands-On, Creative Kids' Art Activities

Back-to-School Science Crafts: DIY Nature Detective Kit

Hello green crafters, did you miss me? I've had a busy, productive summer and I hope you have too! But now, my thoughts are turning to back to school. Want some nifty nature activities for a back to school kick off? Make science exploration kits, easy, cheap and homemade. Lots of recycled stuff too--you know there wouldn't be an activity on this blog that didn't involve recycled. Make individual nature detective kits for homeschool, elementary or middle school students. Great for special needs kids with learning disabilities or cognitive impairment. Here's the recipe! Back-to-School Science Kick-Off Activities: DIY Nature Detective Kit

Free Printable Educational Crafts

Summer is an excellent time to explore the wonderful world of free printable craft projects. Cut and paste activities are perfect for day care, kids at home, road trips, rainy day fun and summer craft camps. During the summer, teachers and homeschoolers have an opportunity to make educational games and activities for their classrooms. Free printable activities are the perfect resource for educational games.  Free Printable Educational Cut and Paste Projects and Activities

Outdoor Summer Life Science Activities, Biology Nature Crafts

Life science, or biology, is an essential school subject. But kids often hate science because it's taught from boring textbooks in meaningless paper-and-pencil activities. Rediscover the inherent fascination of life science this summer with hands-on experiments and crafts. Teach green, using recycled supplies.  Outdoor Summer Life Science Activities, Biology Nature Crafts

Easy, Green Earth Day Gardens

Do you love to garden but find yourself cursed with poor soil in your yard? Or maybe you're one of those unfortunate apartment dwelling green thumbs. Either way, it seems impossible to reconcile a love of gardening with a lack of basic garden essentials. With spring planting, Earth Day and the lure of summer bounty right around the corner, would-be gardeners long to tend plants even more. If you find yourself in this situation, do not abandon hope of gardening. You can have a flourishing garden right on your patio, deck or porch.Easy, Green Earth Day Gardens

Back to School Kickoff Event: Nature Detective Treasure Hunt

Welcome kids back to school with a super science exploration kick off activity. Make easy inexpensive individual nature detective and science investigator kits for homeschool and elementary or middle school students. Here's an easy school kickoff event that's cheap and hands on. Back to School Kickoff Event: DIY Nature Science Activities

Free Printable Summer Beach and Nature Craft Activities

Family Fun magazine is the best family magazine to hit newsstand since the Saturday Evening Post. Family Fun focuses on inexpensive, diy crafts, games, recipes and activities for the whole family. Here are free printable summer fun crafts and scrapbook activities from Family Fun's free printables page Printapalooza (click here for Family Fun Summer printables home page)You know I never can resist sharing links for the free printable activities I find all over the web. And with Family Fun, you can always be sure the you'll get safe, inexpensive, green, diy family activities from fun other great families. Free Printable Summer Beach and Nature Craft Activities 

Free Printable Eric Carle Very Hungry Caterpillar Crafts

Eric Carle is a beloved childrens' illustrator and author of dozens of books about insects and animals. Here are free printable cut and paste crafts, games, activities, lessons, puzzles and coloring pages from Eric Carle's best known book The Very Hungry Caterpillar. In the story of The Very Hungry Caterpillar, a little caterpillar eats his way through different foods each day of the week. The Very Hungry Caterpillar is used in preschool and kindergarten classrooms teach and explore caterpillars and butterflies, sequencing and days of the week.  Free Printable Eric Carle Activities from The Very Hungry Caterpillar

Free Printable Pilgrim Crafts for Thanksgiving

Free Printable Pilgrim Crafts for Thanksgiving Thanksgiving in the US celebrates the survival of the pilgrims who came on the Mayflower. We remember the difficulties faced by the pilgrims, or more accurately, the Puritans, and the help they received from local native American Indians. Here are free printable pilgrim crafts. Read on

Free Printable Harvest Crafts, Plant Science Activities

This article is part of a series of six articles comprising six lessons in a science unit on plants. It has applications and adaptations for grades K-10 and addresses biology, math, social studies, writing (research and creative writing), literature, art, music and physical activities. The lessons are interactive and multisensory. You'll find lessons, printables, games, projects, web resources and literature connections. This article covers lesson one in our science unit; we will explore overall plant structure of the plant. Each section might take a week or two depending upon how much of the lesson you use. I've listed the content area that each lesson addresses. As always I'll begin with unit scope and sequence. Lots of "green" crafts! Read more...Gardening, Plant Science Unit - Plant Structure

How to Make Holiday Centerpieces Like Crate & Barrel and Pottery Barn

I shopped recently at Crate and Barrel and the Pottery Barn. Lovely stores--very expensive. Both stores had beautiful holiday decor and centerpieces displayed. I made mental notes on how to create these holiday crafts cheaply from natural, recycled sources. Read on

Eco Friendly Recycled Harvest Crafts

Eco Friendly Recycled Halloween and Autumn Harvest Craft Ideas
Planning your annual Halloween or harvest party? Here are great fall themed crafts that focus on autumn harvest and non-spooky Halloween fun. Easy, inexpensive fall crafts using recycled materials. Read More

How to Make a Gourd Birdhouse

How to Make a Gourd Bird House- Easy Green Nature Craft
On a family visit to a local apple orchard and pumpkin patch, I discovered a great 'green' nature craft: Gourd bird house made from a Mexican bottle gourd. Gourd bird houses are easy, inexpensive, eco-friendly crafts, perfect for classroom or homeschool. Read More

Free Printable Summer Camp, Nature, Beach Craft Activities

Free Printable Summer Crafts, Beach Crafts, Nature Craft Activities
Family Fun magazine is the best family magazine since the Saturday Evening Post. Family Fun focuses on inexpensive, diy crafts, games, recipes and activities for the whole family. Here are free printable summer fun crafts and scrapbook activities. Read More

Jiffy Professional Greenhouse Seed Starter Kit: Fun, Easy, Inexpensive Green

Green Earth Day Garden Starter Kit: Jiffy Professional Greenhouse In northern temperate zones, gardeners often start seeds indoors to prevent late frost destruction. There are many green, recycled ways to do this, but lacking adequate space, I tried a seed starter. Jiffy Professional Greenhouse kit. Read More

Free Printable Easter Crafts: Bunny, Baskets, Candy and Easter Eggs

Free Printable Easter Crafts and Activities: Color Your Own Cards, Games, Puzzles, 3D Crafts Easter is the highest season in the Christian church and the second largest national holiday in most countries. Easter has taken on a secular side. If you celebrate Easter with eggs, bunnies and baskets here free printable crafts and activities. Read More

Mothers Day Memory Garden Green Craft Activity

Homemade Memory Garden Plans, Zen Prayer Garden Step by step guide to create a memory garden.Includes flower and plant tips, garden accessories, lawn ornaments, bird feeders and design tips. Perfect for holidays honoring Blessed Virgin Mary, or for a Zen garden or prayer garden  Read more

Autumn Crafts and Decorations

Thanksgiving and Autumn Decor: Easy Fall Crafts for Your Home Thanksgiving is a delight to the senses. I want to sop up the sounds and taste of fall. I want to gather autumn color and smell in my arms. Here's a guide to work fall and Thanksgiving into your home decor with 12 easy crafts. View more »

Gardening Safety and Children

Gardening Safety with Children: Home and School Gardening with children is natural, therapeutic, hands-on, interactive and a great learning tool. If you garden with children, or teach plant care in school, there are several safety aspects to consider. Follow these steps to ensure safety. View more »

Homemade Fall Decor with Leaves

Create Wall Decor: Falling Leaves Scene Simple DIY design technique to create a falling leaves scene on any interior wall. View more »