25Jan 2024 by catbird
Scented Crystal Snowflakes

Scented Crystal Snowflakes

Craft Project, Full Moon, Play, Snow Moon, STEAM, Winter
Another snowflake project to celebrate the snow moon! Can you really even have enough snowflakes? This would be a great project to do with a snow lesson, Snowflake Bentley, White Snow Bright Snow and the Story of Snow are all favorite books in our house. Snowflakes are a type of crystal that forms around a bit of dust or debris as it falls from the sky and famously each one is unique. Scented Crystal Snowflakes I’ve always loved making borax crystals– I supersaturate the borax solution so that larger crystals form. Most recipes use a lot less borax and that will work, but it will form much smaller crystals.I like to add essential oil to the solution so that it smells nice, but it's completely optional. Ingredients: White or blue…
Read More
25Jan 2024 by catbird
Paper Snowflakes for the Snow Moon

Paper Snowflakes for the Snow Moon

Craft Project, Full Moon, Play, Snow Moon, Winter
One of the simplest ways to celebrate this snowy full moon (aside from just going outside and playing in the snow!) is to make paper snowflakes. The trick in making lovely paper snowflakes is in the way you fold the paper-- even toddler made snowflakes look fancier when folded like this. You can also use coffee filters if you prefer for a similar result. Folding Paper Snowflakes If you are starting with a rectangular piece of paper, fold the left corner down diagonally so it makes a triangle and is flush with the opposite edge. Trim off the skinny rectangle that falls below your folded triangle. (If you start with a square, just fold your paper in half diagonally.) Next, fold your triangle in half diagonally again. Now the trickiest…
Read More
23Dec 2023 by catbird
New Year’s Eve Bay Fortune Ball Ornaments

New Year’s Eve Bay Fortune Ball Ornaments

Campfire, Craft Project, Folklore, Nature Art, New Year's Eve, Winter
For whatever reason many of our New Year's Eve traditions revolve around fortune telling. There are a number of cultural fortune telling traditions like the Austrian Bleigießen and the Finnish uudenvuodentina, and it seems like a good time to think about your fortune and or wished for the new year. I actually love low key New Year's Eve with kids-- far more than I enjoyed the expensive and weird nights on the town in my 20s. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that my post kid celebrations are the first time I really enjoyed this this celebration. It's still mistly a late night holiday so while we sneak some nature in here and there (nye nature crowns, first day hikes) much of this night is spent inside.…
Read More
14Dec 2023 by catbird
Winter Solstice Pomander Bath Bombs

Winter Solstice Pomander Bath Bombs

Bath & Body, Craft Project, Folklore, Winter, Winter Solstice
One of the things that love the most about the Wheel of the Year is that it celebrates nature and the changing of the seasons. It is often thought of as a strictly Celtic/ Gaelic construct, but in reality people all over the world celebrate these midpoints in nature is surprisingly similar ways. (Those that are in reasonably similar climates that is.) Ancient people in temperate climates were observing generally the same seasonal changes, the same fluctuation in light and it was understandably important to them. The longest night of the year, and the return of lighter days was noteworthy not just in Europe, but also in Iran, China, and Japan. In Japan, the Winter Solstice is called Tōji. With roots in the Chinese philosophy of ying & yang, the…
Read More
11Dec 2023 by catbird
Winter Tree Weaving

Winter Tree Weaving

Craft Project, Foraging, Nature Art, Nature Collection, Play, Winter, Winter Solstice
This is another great simple craft for littles to do as a part of my Winter Walk party or just for a fun afternoon! This pretty decoration is easier for little hands to make than a wreath, but just as pretty! My kiddos aren't that little anymore, but they were both very excited to make these as well. A grown up or older friend can put together the frame and then younger friends can collect pieces of evergreen and herbs to weave in. We used evergreens, holly and some sage and rosemary that are still going strong in the garden. You don't need a proper weaving technique here, just wiggle the pieces in enough to hold things in place. This look awesome on a winter nature table, or equally lovely…
Read More
11Dec 2023 by catbird
Magic Crystal Geode Lanterns

Magic Crystal Geode Lanterns

Craft Project, Winter, Winter Solstice
Fall and winter are prime lantern time, and I am constantly thinking of different ways to make lanterns this time of year. It feels like it suddenly gets dark at 4 or 5 pm so the desire for more light is almost instinctive I think. Winter and Winter Solstice seem like the perfect time for sparkly magical lanterns, and they have serious snow queen vibes. It was really hard to capture the extreme sparkliness in photos, so I did my best, but these are way more sparkly in person. This is actually a pretty simple craft, but will need too cool overnight and dry out for at least another day.These little lanterns are perfect for a Winter Solstice lantern walk or party! Magic Crystal Geode Lanterns I’ve always loved making…
Read More
09Dec 2023 by catbird
Fun Winter Solstice Craft Ideas for Kids

Fun Winter Solstice Craft Ideas for Kids

Craft Project, Nature Art, Nature Collection, Winter, Winter Solstice
Looking for fun crafts to do with (or without...) kids for the Winter Solstice? Click the text next to the images for the tutorials. Save for later! Lanterns & Light Crafts: Make a star shaped Winter Solstice lantern to light the longest night! Craft these simple snowy tree lanterns from a recycled jar and some unexpected evergreen plants. Geode Lanterns Make ice lanterns with natural materials! Orange Pomander candles are the perfect way to decorate a winter nature table Ornaments & Decorations: Make Winter Solstice Tree & sun ornaments with a golden sun tree topper Make beautiful spice mosaic ornaments Craft some stars from twigs Make some woodsy mushroom ornaments Craft dried orange garlands to decorate your home Decorate your windows with lovely stars that also diffuse scent Gifts &…
Read More
05Dec 2023 by catbird
Aurora Borealis Pinecones

Aurora Borealis Pinecones

Campfire, Craft Project, Folklore, Nature Art, Winter, Winter Solstice
The Northern Lights or aurora borealis, is a natural phenomenon caused by energized particles from the sun hitting the Earth's upper atmosphere. The earth's magnetic field directs these particles towards the poles which is wy they are more visible there. The result of this atmospheric bombardment is beautiful colored lights dancing in the sky that have inspired human observers for a millenia. The famous Italian astronomer Galileo gave the lights their name in 1619, but the earliest known record of the phenomena is a 30,000 year old cave painting in France. Galileo named the light for the Greek goddesses of the of dawn, Aurora, and the north wind, Boreas. They feature in folktales and myths from around the world. The Inuit people believe they are spirits, while the Vikings attributed…
Read More