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22 Nature Art Ideas for Kids

by Jean Van't Hul
March 13, 2025
nature art featured image

Are you looking to get outside and make some art? Here are some ideas for nature art for kids, inspired by nature or using natural items.

Updated March 2025

Nature is the original paintbox.

All the colors we use can be found in the natural world and all paint pigments and inks were initially made from natural materials, such as plants and stones.

Nature also provides the light that informs how we see the world. And it is the primary source of artistic inspiration from time immemorial.

We’ve shared outdoor art ideas for kids and our favorite garden craft ideas. But this list is all about nature art, either getting our inspiration from nature or using natural materials in the art itself.

Nature art for kids often combines being outside with physical movement and creative activity.

It’s the perfect trio!

Nature Art for Kids

flower printing
Photo by Andrea Martelle

1. Flower Printing

Flower printing is a fun and beautiful nature art project for kids. And it can be done with just about any kind of paint!

2. Leaf Printing on Fabric

Learn how to print with leaves to make beautiful cloth napkins. They are the perfect addition to your table or can be given as a gift!

land art
Photo by Andrea Martelle

3. Land Art for Kids

Land art for kids combines playing and creating art in a natural environment using leaves, rocks, sticks, and other nature items as well as light and water.

4. Creative Ways to Use Leaves

Wondering what to do with all of the Autumn leaves you’ve collected? Here are some of our favorite creative Fall leaf ideas for kids!

nature mobile
Photo by Abbey Donald

5. Make a Nature Mobile

Gathered natural materials, along with air dry clay beads are what you need to create a beautiful nature mobile for kids.

6. Use Nature Items as Drawing Prompts

Take items you find in nature and use them as inspiration for drawing prompts!

clay prints
Photo by Jean Van’t Hul

7. Clay Nature Prints

Learn how to make clay leaf prints and pendants with air dry clay. This easy nature craft project is fun for kids and creates a beautiful keepsake.

8. 5 Nature Art Ideas for Toddlers

Here are five nature art ideas for young children. Paint with mud, print with leaves, create a nature weaving or petal playdough!

flower petal suncatcher
Photo by Andrea Martelle

9. Flower Mandala Suncatchers

Make a beautiful flower suncatcher for the window! All you need is a paper plate, contact paper, and flowers for this fun flower mandala.

10. Autumn Leaf Suncatchers

Or try this simple and beautiful suncatcher leaf craft for kids using fall leaves, flowers and paper plates.

nature collage
Photo by Rachel Withers

11. Nature Collages for Kids

Create a beautiful nature collage by arranging flowers and leaves on cardboard. You can glue them on or use rubber bands for ephemeral art.

12. Paint and Assemble Your Own Nature Diorama!

Gather pinecones, leaves and seed pods on a nature walk. Then paint and assemble these materials with this fun nature diorama project for kids.

painted rocks
Photo by Andrea Martelle

13. Art with Rocks

Try one of these ways to make art with rocks, including painted rocks, chalk rocks, melted crayon rocks, and land art!

14. Chalk Nature Painting (on Meri Cherry)

Use wet and dry chalk to paint on sticks and branches!

leaf rubbings
Photo by Rachel Withers

15. Leaf Rubbings + Watercolor Resist Painting

Learn how to make leaf rubbings for kids. Then turn these into a colorful fall leaf painting activity using the watercolor wax resist method.

16. Feather Art in a Box

Feathers provide a great nature-based opportunity for kids to notice patterns, shapes & lines. Help kids make their own feather art in a lovely DIY shadow box in this easy nature drawing activity.

sun prints
Photo by Andrea Martelle

17. Make Sun Prints

Create beautiful sun prints in a few easy steps with a sun print kit for kids. Learn about Anna Atkins, an early female photographer too!

18. Shadow Tracing with Nature Items

Create beautiful shadow art for kids. Simply trace any pattern of shadow and light on paper, then paint it. This works perfectly with branches, flowers, and houseplants!

botanical fish featured
Photo by Andrea Martelle

19. Fish Craft from Nature Items

Try this fun and easy fish craft by adding nature items like flower petals and leaves to these free fish printables. 

20. Paint Leaves (on Art Bar)

Try water soluble crayons or paint sticks to draw and paint on leaves!

painting a shell
Photo by Andrea Martelle

21. Ocean Crafts for Kids

10 fun ocean crafts for kids to make your next beach trip more creative. Includes melted crayon shells, sandcasting, seashell mandalas, fish paintings.

22. Sandcasting in the Sand Box

If you haven’t tried sandcasting, you must! And you don’t need to go to the beach, you can do it right in the sandbox!

More Nature Art for Kids

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