Following this week's story time, which took place at the park, one fabulous mom brought a basket from her daughter's nature table and showed the kids how to create sculptures using the contents of the basket. The basket included everything from dried corn to pine cones to smooth stones. They were things that the mom and her three-year-old daughter had collected during nature walks, trips to the park, and everywhere else along the way.
The kids were so completely engaged in the activity. They created sculptures and told little stories about them. They talked about all the different things that were on the table and were excited with each new little thing that they found to include in their sculptures. Some children returned to play in the playground, others began collecting items for their own nature basket and still more began using the items in dramatic play.
There was so much creative energy around such a simple idea that I had to share it. In this time with so many of us living on shoestring budgets, this is an easy way to help your child create new playthings that stimulate their imagination at absolutely no cost. If you don't have space for a nature table or even a nature basket, it is easy to collect new things every day that get deposited back outside when the play is done.
I plan to add some string and pieces of cloth to the nature basket that Griffin is collecting to give him the ability to make a more lasting toy if he chooses. There are also crafts that can be done from making little people to making fairy houses and so much more.
