What makes this easy art activity so great? The supplies are outside, the mess is contained, and the ideas are budget-friendly. Outdoor art ideas are simple, creative, and fun – a winning combination for these long days at home. Gather your favorite leaves and petals for this epic outdoor nature mural for toddlers, preschoolers, and big kids!
What can you do for free outside?
I know, I know. There is no such thing as a free lunch. But it’s safe to say this comes close and will be added to our 70+ Free Activities for Kids list.
It began with my five-year-old collecting plants and ended with my almost seven-year-old gluing them onto a nature mural. The boys worked sporadically throughout the day, adding the items to their nature collage.
Nature murals are a lot like creating with paper tubes. You have the resources, and it is up to the kids to pull it all together for some fantastic process art.
RELATED: Love to be outdoors? I put together a great list of outdoor activities for kids.
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Simple setup
See these giant pieces of wood? Yep, it’s in the garage, leftover from another project that were going to be discarded.
So after a quick nature search, my children found their canvas and were off!
Just like outdoor painting with kids, this is set up in a flash and doesn’t require “all the things.” Quick setup, and the kids are off.
RELATED: Have a toddler and are unsure of how to introduce painting? You will ADORE this clever painting with a toddler idea.
Art is excellent for fine motor strength
See his hands squeezing the glue? This also strengthens my child’s hands for things like tying d his shoes, buttoning his pants, and writing!
Simple practice activities like this outdoor art nature mural will help with handwriting. You can read all about simple ways to improve pencil grip right here.
The glue stick is excellent for grasping, but the squeeze glue is fantastic for strength. Try to incorporate liquid glue into the rotation of art supplies when you can.
Why art is important for child development
Art is a form of internal expression and imagination. Allowing your child to play, learn and create using various mediums of art supplies is an excellent and safe way of letting them follow their path, interest, and preferences. When kids create art, they exhibit commitment, dedication, and hard work in something they feel proud of.
When my kids have the chance to create, they better understand their environment and how objects come together, and their behavior is calmed. Easy art ideas like this nature mural are one to add to the list!
Now how do we display this? Here is how to display kids’ artwork. (although this one here may be a little tricky)
FAQ
The best way to make backyard fun for kids on a budget is to pick toys that last for years. These include the climbing dome, riding toys, wheelbarrows, and balance bikes. Use these outdoor activities for kids to maximize their time outside.
You decide with your child what can get added. Murals will look different depending on what part of the world you live in. Try making another when you go out of town.
Collecting nature and making an art mural is fun for toddlers, preschoolers, and big kids! You can use this idea for ages and watch how it changes.
