Our nature crafts include over 60 projects using natural materials such as plants, herbs, rocks, twigs, mosses, vines, dried flowers, potpourri, feathers, pinecones, gourds and seashells.

Whether you are hiking, camping, or just ambling around the backyard, keep an eye open for free materials for nature arts and crafts.

Free Nature Crafts

Scroll the page or select one of the categories below for thumbnail photos and brief descriptions of each nature craft.

Birds and Birding

Nature crafts to attract birds; bird houses, bird food and feeders.

Hummingbird Food Make your own hummingbird food.	Oriole Food Make your own oriole nectar.	Suet Feeder How to make an easy suet bird feeder.	Log Suet Feeder Drill holes in a log; pack with suet.
Coconut Bird Feeder Two ways to make a simple coconut bird feeder.	Milk Carton Bird Feeder Make a bird feeder from a milk carton.	Window Sill Bird Feeder Inviting birds to window sill lunch food.	Build the Right Birdhouse Choose the right hole size, placement, etc.
Free Bird House Plan Simple bird box from plywood scraps.	"Bee" Bird House Recycle a coffee can and make a home for the birds.	Purple Martin Bird Houses How to attract a colony of purple martins.	Birdbath Add a birdbath to your garden.

Butterflies and Insects

Attracting and studying butterflies and other insects.

Butterfly Art
Display real butterflies without endangering any butterfly species.

Butterfly Food
Homemade butterfly nectar recipe and other natural butterfly foods.

Butterfly Gardening
Ways to attract butterflies to your garden.

Terra Cotta Clay Pot Crafts

Everything has gone to pot, as they say, on our new clay and terra cotta crafts section.

With over 20 Terra Cotta and Clay Pot Crafts, we created a separate page for them all!

See the new clay pot craft ideas index for everything from terra cotta angels and dragonflies, to a clay pot gumball machine or gazing ball, plus potted topiaries and wind chimes.

Homemade Nature Gifts

Give the gift of nature - to yourself, or others - with these homemade nature crafts.

Bird House Wind Chime Turn a mini bird house into a wind chime.	Solar Cooker Cook dinner using solar power, a cardboard box and tin foil.	Rock Painting Learn rock painting or how to paint River Rocks.
Seed Packet Craft Recycle a paper bag, fill with seeds, give as a nature craft gift!	Measuring Cup Wind Chimes Simple wind chimes with a homestyle theme.	1904 Nature Crafts Vintage instructions for a clover pillow, clover centerpiece and more.
Dandelion Syrup Dandelion syrup recipes and a nature essay on dandelions.	Scarecrow How to make a scarecrow with tent pole sticks.	Cinnamon Stick Box Glue cinnamon sticks together to make this attractive box.

Pinecone Crafts and Nuts

Crafts made from pinecones or nuts.

Pinecone Angel Sweet woodland pinecone angel.	Pinecone Firestarters Wax-dipped pinecones with colorful flames.	Walnut Mice Christmas mice tucked in wee walnut beds.	Pinecone Trees Mini pinecone Christmas trees.
Pine Cone Topiary Clay pot and pinecone topiary craft.	Potpourri Pinecone Angel Fragrant pinecone angel is dressed in potpourri.

Small Container Nature Crafts

Nature crafts in miniature; growing plants or displaying flowers in small containers; crafting with Gourds.

Indoor Herbs How to grow fresh herbs in indoor containers.	Eggshell Trinket Box Decoupage a trinket box with broken eggshells.	Eggshell Posy Vase Eggshell vase holds a tiny bouquet of fresh flowers.	Decoupage Pots How to decoupage pots or pot sleeves.	Painted Pots. Decorate plastic plant pots with paint markers.
Tea Box Planter Mini windowsill planter from a tea box.	Hanging Potpourri Ball Mother's Day craft!	Gourd Crafts Learn about gourd crafting and make a gourd Easter basket.	Gourd Purses Tips on how to make purses from gourds.	Potpourri Ivy Bowl Decorate an ivy bowl then fill with potpourri.

Dried Flowers, Herbs and Wreaths

How to dry flowers, grow and preserve herbs, and make your own wreaths.

Lavender Water How to make your own lavender water.	Lavender Wands and Bottles Fragrant nature crafts made from lavender stems.	Lavender Fan How to weave a lavender fan.	Preserving Herbs Learn how to make the most of your outdoor herb harvest.
Air Dry Flowers or Dry Flowers with Kitty Litter and a Microwave for dried floral arrangments.	Dried Hydrangeas How to dry hydrangea flowerheads.	Hydrangea Wreath How to make a wreath from dried hydrangeas.	Vine wreath Weave your own wreath with grapevine or Virginia Creeper etc.
Fall Wreath Use dried florals to craft a fall wreath.	Autumn Wreath Decorate a 10" wreath for fall in this free nature craft.	Happy Hat Make a happy straw hat wreath.	Windowsill Potpourri How to make potpourri in a mason jar.

Nautical Nature Crafts

Natural crafts inspired by seashells and the sea.

Seaside Organizer Seashell craft to organize your mail!	Seascape Gel Candles Learn how to make your own gel seascape candles.	Clam Shell Change Holder Try this simple seashell craft for Father's Day!	Sea Shell Tea Candles Make seashells into unique nautical tea candles.
Seashell Shadow Box Show off your seashells in a shadow box.	Fishbowl Sea Candle Nice nautical theme nature craft for Dad!	Nautical Decor Home decorating ideas with nautical flair.	Beeswax Candles How to roll beeswax candles from beeswax sheets.

Nature Crafts for Kids

Nature crafts and gardening projects for children.

Pinecone Turkey Make a pinecone turkey centerpiece.	Froggy Plant Stake Brighten Mother's Day with a smiley frog plant stake made of wood or fun foam.	Ladybug Rocks Rock painting nature craft for kids!	How to Make an Ant Farm Collect ants and make your own ant farm.
Kid's Nature Crafts Natural crafts for children.	Painted Stones Jewelry or Fridge Magnets Easy nature craft for kids to make with paint markers.	Ojo de Dios/God's Eyes Primitive star weaving makes a great wall hanging or mobile.	Cress Egg Heads Easy nature craft made from eggs and cress seeds.