Craft Project – Wineberry Woods

15Sep 2026 by catbird

Apple Star Lanterns

I can still remember the first time my mom showed me the star the seeds make in the center of an apple when you cut it crosswise, and it was magical. I still love to cut apples open to see the star inside. Sometimes people call the Autumn Equinox the apple harvest and that makes sense to me because it's the start or peak apple season where I live. I have struggled to think of some good apple crafts to mark this holiday because I feel quite strongly that food is for eating. I don't like to use food for things that render them inedible (like making apple prints.) I will occasionally make exceptions, but I am generally of the the opinion that there are too many people in the…

05May 2026 by catbird

“The Wild Robot”

Craft Project, Foraging, Learning, Middle Grade Book Buds, Play, Recipes, STEAM

Next up in middle grade book buds, is a modern nature school classic-- The Wild Robot. I have been reading a ton of middle grade books lately, but would love to hear your suggestions for more book buds! Middle grade books are substantially longer, so I have broken the middle grade book buds into a lesson, a craft or two, and a snack. All are driven by the themes and ideas in the respective book. These could be the jumping off point for a more in depth academic book study, or just a fun project to further immerse yourself in the worlds of your favorite books! The Wild Robot Written & Illustrated by: Peter Brown The Wild Robot has quickly become a classic amongst the nature school crowd. It does make a…

29Jan 2026 by catbird

What is the Snow Moon & a Coloring Page

Craft Project, Folklore, Free Printable, Full Moon, Learning, Snow Moon, Winter

February is the snowiest month where I live, and according to the National Weather Service it’s the snowiest month nationwide. According to the Farmer’s Almanac’s list, this month’s full moon is called the Snow Moon based on the report of Captain Jonathan Carver, a colonial expedition leader who claimed the Lakota people called it that. The translation of the Lakota name that I have found is substantially more poetic: When Trees Crack Because of Cold Moon. Similarly, the Abenaki people observe the Makes Branches Fall in Pieces Moon. The Arapaho call this the Frost Sparkling in the Sun Moon, and the Comanche call it the Sleet Moon. I have continued to call it the snow moon because it's concise and easier to fit on graphics, but in my head I think…

20Nov 2025 by catbird

Cold Ice Moons

Cold Moon, Craft Project, Winter

The Mohawk people call December the Time of the Cold Moon. December is the start of real winter for us here in the Mid-Atlantic, and many of this month’s full moon names reflect that. The Creek call this moon the Big Winter Moon, the Shoshone refer to the Winter Moon, the Abenaki call it the Winter Maker Moon, and the Oneida call this moon the It’s a Long Night Moon, which is relates to the Winter Solstice, which occurs this month and is in fact the longest night of the year. In my mind the Cold Moon is always linked to hibernation: animals are hibernating, and we humans spend more time inside, slowing down and getting cozy. It’s also the time we start to find things iced over. To celebrate…

07Nov 2025 by catbird

Winter Lantern Round Up

Craft Project, Winter, Winter Solstice

We love lanterns at Wineberry Woods, and always seem to be coming up with new and interesting ways to make them! Check out some lanterns of many different skill levels and pick one that suits you! Star Lantern Simple Snowy Tree Lanterns Geode Lanterns Make ice lanterns with natural materials! Frost Lanterns Round Ice Lanterns Snowball Lanterns

26Aug 2025 by catbird

“The Bug Bandits”

Craft Project, Free Printable, Learning, Middle Grade Book Buds, Play, Recipes, STEAM

Next up in middle grade book buds, is a modern nature school classic-- The Bug Bandits. I have been reading a ton of middle grade books lately, but would love to hear your suggestions for more book buds! Middle grade books are substantially longer, so I have broken the middle grade book buds into a lesson, a craft or two, and a snack. All are driven by the themes and ideas in the respective book. These could be the jumping off point for a more in depth academic book study, or just a fun project to further immerse yourself in the worlds of your favorite books! The Bug Bandits Written by: by Jenni L Walsh The Bug Bandits is a great new book about two kids working together saving an insect museum. As…

23Jun 2025 by catbird

“Living Bridges: The Hidden World of India’s Woven Trees”

Craft Project, Earth Day, get outside, Learning, Nature Art, Picture Book Buds, Play, Summer

Picture Book Buds are a fun and easy way to incorporate literacy into nature study. Read a book (you can even read it outside!) and then enjoy the related activity and snack suggestions! Living Bridges: The Hidden World of India's Woven Trees Written by: Sandhya Acharya Illustrated by: Avani Dwivedi I was excited about Living Bridges: The Hidden World of India's Woven Trees the minute I heard it was coming out-- what a fun topic for a picture book! I didn't learn about the living bridges of India until well into adulthood, but I was immediately transfixed and I can only imagine how amazing knowledge of these bridges must feel for kids. The story walks through the process of making and tending the bridges, or jingkeieng jri, in broad strokes…

26Mar 2025 by catbird

“Clear and Bright”

Craft Project, Folklore, Foraging, Learning, Picture Book Buds, Spring

Picture Book Buds are a fun and easy way to incorporate literacy into nature study. Read a book (you can even read it outside!) and then enjoy the related activity and snack suggestions! Clear and Bright: A Ching Ming Festival Story Written by: Teresa Robeson Illustrated by: William Low Clear and Bright: A Ching Ming Festival Story is a lovely, lyrical story about a family celebrating the Ching Ming Festival. This is a spring festival right around the same time as spring equinox that has been on my radar for some time, but that I didn't previously know very much about. When I came across this picture book I jumped at the chance to learn more. If you have read much of my work than you may have noticed that…

13Mar 2025 by catbird

“What the Crow Saw Below”

Book Buds, Craft Project, Learning, Picture Book Buds, Play, STEAM

Picture Book Buds are a fun and easy way to incorporate literacy into nature study. Read a book (you can even read it outside!) and then enjoy the related activity and snack suggestions! What the Crow Saw Below Written by: Robert Tregoning, Illustrated by: Greg Stobbs What the Crow Saw Below is a new book that I was able to read as an arc copy. I was excited to get my hands on it because I love crows and the illustrations are freaking awesome. For some reason there have been a whole slew of crow picture books lately and I haven't been terribly excited with any of them until now. (In fairness I haven't gotten to them all yet..) But, back to this book, honestly I would recommend it based…

30Jan 2025 by catbird

“Over and Under the Snow”

Craft Project, Hike Ideas, Learning, Picture Book Buds, Picture Book Hikes, Play, Recipes, STEAM, Winter

Picture Book Buds are a fun and easy way to incorporate literacy into nature study. Read a book (you can even read it outside!) and then enjoy the related activity and snack suggestions! Over and Under the Snow Written by: Kate Messner, Illustrated by: Christopher Silas Neal Over and Under the Snow is a classic winter time picture book read. It manages to be both fun to read and packed with information about what various animals do to survive during the winter, making it great for mixed age groups. I always include it in my hibernation study recommendations, but where is really shines in my opinion is in it's description of the Subnivean Zone. The hibernators seem to get all the love this time of year, and all while the shrews, mice…

Category: Craft Project