Summer Nature Art - 20 fun ideas for kids

Get outside this summer and enjoy using the nature around you to have a go at some of these nature art and craft ideas for kids. Toddlers, preschoolers and older kids will all enjoy getting creative with nature whilst enjoying some sunshine.  We have put together a list of 20 fun nature art ideas to try this summer.  We have included craft ideas using stones, shells, sticks, flowers and leaves.

As the weather gets warmer children will love taking their creative sessions outdoors and using the nature around them to create some fun nature crafts. We always love doing outdoor activities whenever we can and we are always looking for easy outdoor art ideas.

Take a look at the list of summer nature art ideas below and click on the links for full instructions.  Hopefully, you will find a few activities to inspire you this summer. Have fun!

You might also like our list of forest school activities. 

Stone art & craft ideas

• Make a cute ladybug stone - Fireflies and Mudpies
• Use our free printable to make simple story stones  - Messy Little Monster
• Make memory rocks - Learning and Exploring through Play 
• Turn painted stones into garden markers - Adventures in a box
• Make a collection of stone creatures - Daisies and Pie
• Lay pebbles out in a frame to make a pebble art - Zing Zing Tree

Shell art & craft ideas

• Make a shell keepsake frame to display a special holiday photograph - Teach Me Mommy
• Use shells and beach glass to make a fish collage - Adventures in a Box
• Dye seashells to make ladybugs - Still playing Schools
• Make a seashell decoration - Crafts on Sea
• Have fun making and playing with shell puppets - Zing Zing Tree
• Make a shell pendant - Red Ted Art

Stick art & craft ideas

• Make a family of stick people - Danya Banya
• Use sticks as an unusual art canvas - Buggy and Buddy
• Hang pieces of nature from a stick to make a nature mobile -Danya Banya
• Use tree bark to make an adorable bark owl - Fireflies and Mudpies

Flower art & craft ideas

• Make a flower sun catcher - Messy Little Monster
• Use colourful flowers to practice colour sorting or make nature mandalas - Learning and Exploring Through Play
• Transfer colour from flowers - Mini Monets and Mommies
• Use sunflower seeds to make a giant sunflower picture - Crafty Kids at Home

Leaf art & craft ideas

• Collect leaves to make a  leaf collage - In the Playroom
• Paint using leaves and other pieces of nature - Danya Banya
• Turn leaves into leaf monsters - Messy Little Monster
• Make a piece of camouflage art - Fireflies and Mudpies