Summer time means getting creative to help the kids make use of the wide open days at home. Kids nature mural art for outdoor play and fine motor skills is super easy to set up and perfect for all ages to do together.
I love the relaxed schedule of summer break. I like that my kids get to experience it too. They need breaks as much as we moms do.
As much as I am a fan of structured learning activities after my experience teaching and homeschooling, I do appreciate a great open-ended activity for kids to explore.
Kids nature mural art is exactly this!
Kids Nature Mural Art for Outdoor Play and Fine Motor Skills
Children continue to fine tune their fine motor skills even into the teen years. When I watch even my 11 year old cut his food, fine motor skills take time to get right.
Activities that challenge children of all ages to use their finger tips to press and hold are great for fine motor skill development. Add in these books about seasons for preschoolers, and you have one well-rounded nature activity.
My four kids took turns finding fallen flowers, leaves, twigs and grass to press onto our nature mural. The trick is contact paper for this fun mural activity for kids. Gather your supplies and set up is so quick! (Save some leaves to preserve too. Check the steps for how to preserve leaves (for crafting) for even more nature fun after the mural is complete.)
Here is how we did it.
Supplies
Contact paper (about a 4 foot long piece or so)
Flower petals, leaves, sticks, grass, etc.
How to make kids nature mural art
Step 1 is to tear two-inch long pieces of masking tape. You will need at least four. If it is windy where you are tear a few more pieces.
Step 2 is to start peeling the backing off of the contact paper piece. Do this in stages. First peel the backing from a corner. Keep the sticky side out as you tape the corner to a fence or wall to start securing it.
Step 3 is to continue peeling the backing and taping the corners of the contact paper to your surface. We taped it to our backyard fence.
Step 4: Have the kids gather fallen flowers or other plant material laying around in your yard or the park. This is a great activity for a group playdate with friends too!
Step 5: As the kids gather their outdoor finds for the kids nature mural art, they can stick the items right to the contact paper. You may have to show younger ones how to do this.
This was a fun afternoon activity for the kids. They were running around the backyard looking for plant material and getting some fine motor and art exploration at the same time.
More outdoor play time ideas for kids:
What are your favorite outdoor explorations for your children? Share your ideas in the comments.
This idea is so cute! 🙂 Something I’d enjoy myself when I was a kid. Do they hang this in their room after it is done? I assume it stays good for at least a couple of days.
We did not bring it indoors but did leave it hanging outside to add some fun art to our backyard. Feel free to display it as you choose. 🙂