People have been making creative crafts for thousands of years, long before glitter and crepe paper were available. They did without those items, and you can, too. There is no end to the amazing things that your toddler can create using natural materials. The best are those materials that your toddler has found on his own. Let the activities below inspire you to see things such as bark, seeds, and flowers in a whole new way.

Pinecone Bird Feeder

Not only will your toddler enjoy making this project, but the finished bird feeder will attract birds for your toddler to watch and enjoy!

• Attach the yarn to the pinecone. Make a loop at the loose end for hanging the bird feeder.

• Help your toddler spread the peanut butter on the pinecone.

• Pour the birdseed into the bowl. Show your child how to roll the coated pinecone in the seeds to coat it.

• Take your bird feeder outside, and hang it where your child will be able to watch the visiting birds.

Nature Collection

Here is a fun and easy way for your toddler to preserve all of the treasures he picks up when he is exploring outside.

• Help your child find and collect safe outdoor treasures. Good items include leaves, bark, twigs, and flowers. Watch out for small items that may pose a choking hazard if your toddler still puts things in his mouth.

• Have your toddler arrange his treasures on the construction paper.

• Cover the paper with clear contact paper. You will not have to glue anything and it will last a long time. (Alternatively, you can use a larger sheet of the contact paper. Have your child arrange his treasures on one half, and then fold the contact paper over and seal.)

Magic Sun Prints

This activity seems to work like magic. This is a fun way to explore the sun's power as well as shadows and shapes.

• Ask your child to help you find objects to use to make silhouettes. Flat objects work best. Some good examples include keys, erasers, forks, and shoelaces.

• Go outside on a sunny day. Have your toddler arrange the chosen objects on the dark construction paper.

• Leave the paper out in full sunlight for a few hours. The sun will fade the exposed paper to a lighter shade than the paper protected by the selected objects.

• Remove the objects to reveal the silhouette designs.

Flower Crown

You can make this decorative craft project with your child at different times of the year to showcase the variety of natural materials and reflect the change in seasons.

• Fold the paper plate in half. Cut out a semicircle, leaving a 3-inch border. Cut spikes and square shapes to a depth of one inch.

• Open the plate. The spikes and squares become the spires of the crown.

• Give your child a variety of natural materials to glue on the crown for decoration.

• Let the glue dry before helping your child don the crown.