This super easy nature craft for kids features a God’s Eye Nature Collage that is simple to set up and fun to create! This is one of my most favorite activities for kids because it’s the kind of nature craft that encourages outdoor play, sensory learning, and creative expression. Read on for this simple nature craft for kids tutorial!
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Why Nature Crafts are Great for Kids
Nature crafts are so easy to do and so much fun for kids. I love the way nature crafts get us outside and I really appreciate how nature crafts encourage hands-on, sensory learning. But I especially love nature crafts because they offer a super easy, hassle free activity for kids that inspires creativity, imaginative play, and brain development. Not to mention the mental health benefits!
What’s more, you and your family can create your awe-inspiring nature crafts indoors or outdoors. And set-up and clean-up are usually a breeze! (probably my favorite part!)
This God’s Eye Nature Collage was inspired by a hike my daughter and I went on recently. She had so much fun, she asked if we could share it on YouTube. Check out our Easy Nature Craft for Kids video here.
God’s Eye Nature Craft Fun Facts
God’s Eyes, or Ojos de Dios, are ritual objects made by the Huichol indigenous people of Mexico that symbolize prayers for their children – for a good long life and protection.
Here’s some more cool info about god’s eyes from the Museum of International Folk Art website:
“The ends of the sticks represent the basic elements – earth, water, wind, and fire, and the four cardinal directions – north, south, east and west. The center of the eye symbolizes the power of seeing and understanding things we normally cannot see. Huichol people weave a pupil of black yarn or place a mirrored disk in the center of the God’s eye where the sticks cross to enhance the vision of the god’s eyes.“
Easy Nature Craft for Kids: God’s Eye Nature Collage
Here is a step-by-step tutorial for this easy nature craft! The God’s Eye Nature Collage features a god’s eye of sticks and string, and a collage frame of simple items found in nature.
1. Gather Your Supplies
Get your kids outside and head to the woods for a short hike to gather a cool collection of interesting nature items. You can collect anything that catches your eye, from flowers to leaves to sticks and stones. Just be sure to collect two small sturdy sticks for each god’s eye nature collage you plan to create.
The rest of the supplies are simple. Check out the list below.
Craft Supplies List
Here are the suggested supplies and materials for the nature craft:
- Collection of Nature Items: Gather things like leaves, flowers, at least 2 sticks, etc.
- Cardstock: I love this Rose Quartz Metallic cardstock on Amazon.
- Glue: Elmer’s school glue works well for this nature craft.
- Scissors: Sharp enough to cut yarn.
- Yarn: I recommend multiple colors to get the coolest designs on your god’s eye. Or you could use multicolor yarn. Any yarn or string will do, but I prefer medium weight yarn for god’s eye crafts, especially this multicolor Lion Brand Yarn Anti-Pilling Knitting Yarn. You can create awesome designs for your god’s eye so easily with this yarn because the multiple colors built in.
2. Set Up Your Space
Set out all of your supplies on a flat surface. Because your child will be using glue, use your best judgement about how you might want to protect your flat surface. ☺️ We have this sturdy plastic table protector on our wood dining table. It’s been a lifesaver for arts and crafts time!
3. Make the God’s Eye
To make the god’s eye craft, start by cutting long strands of yarn from each different colored skein of yarn you have. The strands should be about 2-3 feet minimum in length. Then tie them together to create a single strand.
Or, skip that step by purchasing multicolor yarn like this medium weight multicolor yarn from Lion Brand.
Next, form your sticks into a cross shape. Tie them together with one end of your yarn strand by wrapping it around the center of the cross in an ‘x’ pattern.
Continue to wrap the yarn around each stick one at a time, rotating until the yarn forms a flat design.
Follow this pattern: move the yarn behind the stick, loop it completely around the stick and then move on to the next stick, repeat.
When you are finished, tie the end of the yarn to a piece in the back. Snip off any stray bits of yarn when you’re done.
4. Create Your Nature Collage
Secure the god’s eye to the center of the cardstock with a couple pieces of tape and then apply glue under the sticks to make it even more secure.
Glue all of your nature items around the border any way you like, creating a beautiful nature collage!
Let it dry for 2+ to make sure everything stays put.
5. Share your artwork!
You’re all done! Show off your God’s Eye Nature Collage to friends and family, and be sure to share a picture of your collage on social media and tag @thecenteredparent! Can’t wait to see your creations!
Would love to hear about your own nature crafts in the comments!
