We are big fans of simple screen free activities for kids. So if you’re looking for a creative way to get your kids outdoors and engaged in a fun, hands-on activity, this nature stick pencil holder craft is the perfect project!
By getting outdoors and gathering sticks and using an old tin can, you can transform simple materials into something useful, all while enjoying time in nature.
Plus, it’s a great way to encourage screen-free play, develop creativity, and create something practical like a pencil holder for your home or homeschool setup.
Why Use Nature Items for Crafting?
Crafting with natural items like sticks, leaves, or rocks adds an exciting sensory experience to any project.
Kids can collect the materials themselves, turning the whole process into a nature adventure. Whether you’re in your backyard, a park, or on a forest school outing, or looking for activities for your family camping trip, gathering supplies helps kids connect with the outdoors and develop an appreciation for the world around them.
Using nature in crafts also encourages creativity since no two sticks or leaves are the same, meaning each project will have a unique touch.
Using natural materials for crafts is one of the best ways to encourage a love of nature in young kids, which of course is something really important. We want our kids to grow up with a respect for our planet, and an appreciation for the beautiful world we live in.
Whether it’s sticks, pine cones, or small stones, every nature find brings a unique element to your craft. This is an easy way to incorporate sensory play into your day while spending quality time outdoors.
On your next nature walk, be sure to bring a bag or basket to collect different items like pine needles, interesting rocks, or even a few leaves for future nature crafts.
Step-by-Step Instructions for the Stick Pencil Holder Craft
Follow along with the simple step by step instructions below to make your own nature pencil pot. This nature activity is so much fun to put together and also serves a practical purpose once completed.
Stick Pencil Holder Nature Craft
Turn sticks from your nature walk into a rustic pencil holder or vase!
This fun nature craft is perfect for kids of all ages, combining outdoor adventure with creative play. Gather, glue, and create something useful – all while enjoying fresh air and a little bit of the great outdoors!
Materials
- Clean tin can (label removed)
- Sticks of various sizes
- Double Sided Tape
- Scissors
- Optional: Twine or ribbon for decoration
Instructions
- Prepare the Can: Wash and dry the tin can thoroughly and remove the label.
- Collect and Trim Sticks: Head outdoors with your kids and gather sticks of different lengths and thicknesses. Once you have enough, trim the sticks to match the height of your tin can using scissors.
- Glue the Sticks: Apply double sided tape all the way around your empty can. That way, it's attached securely but also has a sticky side facing outwards to attach your sticks or nature decorations.
- Take each stick and press it firmly against the can.
- Continue this process, lining up sticks closely together around the entire can.
- Add Optional Decorations: Wrap a piece of twine or ribbon around the top or bottom for an extra rustic look.
- You can also experiment with sticking different nature objects like leaves or whatever else you find outdoors.
Now your stick pencil holder or nature vase is ready to use! Whether it holds pencils, markers, flowers or even utensils, it’s a handy little container with a lot of charm.
Outdoor nature activities like this stick pencil holder craft are a great idea for families who want to reduce screen time and enjoy more fresh air. It’s not only a fun way to bond with family members but also helps encourage better physical health through outdoor exploration.
You don’t have to venture far – your own backyard or a local park can be the perfect spot for gathering sticks and other natural objects. Plus, exploring your local green space with kids of all ages helps them develop curiosity about the natural world.
For even more fun, why not turn your outing into a nature scavenger hunt? Create a simple scavenger hunt sheet with common items like small stones, tree stumps, or even the sounds of nature, like birds chirping. Or use our free printable linked below.
This great activity encourages kids to take a closer look at their surroundings while also offering a chance to talk about living things in the environment. It’s a great time to introduce young nature lovers to field guides or starter pages in a nature journal, where they can draw or write about their nature finds.
If you’re crafting on a rainy day or need indoor nature activities, you can use some of your collected materials to create other projects like leaf rubbings or rock art.
A simple piece of paper, crayons, and leaves are all you need for leaf rubbings. Or, grab a glass jar and fill it with different shapes and textures of nature finds to create a sensory bag for younger children. These indoor activities are a great way to continue learning even when you can’t get outside.
Outdoor learning activities like this craft also help improve fine motor skills as kids carefully glue sticks or arrange natural elements. For older children, adding decorations with acrylic paint or wrapping twine around the finished holder offers an art project challenge that’s both fun and creative. You could even turn this into a bird feeder craft by using pine cones and peanut butter – a great game to play afterward is bird watching to see which hungry birds come by for a snack.
Next time you’re out enjoying the great outdoors, take a little bit of time to gather natural elements for future nature activities. Whether you’re exploring a national park, visiting nature preserves, or simply walking in your own neighborhood, you’ll find that nature crafts are a fun and meaningful way to connect with the beauty of nature.
These simple supplies can turn into hours of unstructured play and creative exploration – the perfect way to spend time with kids of all ages.
A Fun Activity for All Ages
This nature craft is perfect for a variety of age groups. Younger kids will enjoy gathering sticks and sticking them onto the can, while older kids can get creative with decorations and design.
It’s a wonderful project for forest school or homeschool groups, providing a mix of fine motor practice, creativity, and outdoor exploration. Even adults can enjoy this craft as a relaxing activity to do with kids on a weekend afternoon.
This stick pencil holder craft isn’t just about the final product – it’s about the experience! Spending time outdoors, working together, and creating something with your own hands can lead to meaningful family bonding moments.
Plus, since it’s such a simple project, you don’t need any special skills or materials, making it accessible to everyone.
More Fun Activities for Kids
Looking for more creative ways to keep the kids entertained? We’ve got plenty of ideas that combine nature, creativity, and screen-free fun. Check out these related posts below!
- How to Make Papyrus Paper at Home
- DIY Nature Weaving Craft for Kids
- DIY Nature Counting Cards
- Make An Ant Farm Science Project For Kids
- 7 Hands On Butterfly Activities for Wild Kids
- Wax Resist Fall Leaf Art For Kids
If you enjoyed this nature craft, we’d love it if you shared this blog post with other crafty families! Sharing helps us keep bringing you more creative ideas to enjoy together. Happy crafting!
