Simple, sustainable fun for all ages — straight from the Aussie outdoors.
Looking for screen-free activities that entertain, educate, and bring everyone closer to nature? Say hello to nature crafting — a fun, eco-conscious way for families to create, explore, and bond without waste or plastic overload.
From eucalyptus leaf art to DIY bird feeders, these easy and affordable eco-friendly craft projects are perfect for sunny weekends, school holidays, or a rainy-day reset — using items you can find in your own backyard or on a local walk.
Let’s dig in (literally)!
🍂 1. Leaf & Bark Rubbing Art
What you need:
- Fallen leaves and textured bark
- Crayons or soft pencils
- Recycled paper
How-to:
- Place the leaf or bark under the paper.
- Rub the side of a crayon or pencil gently over the top.
- Watch the shape and texture magically appear!
- Turn it into a collage or cut into shapes for greeting cards.
🎨 Tip: Use leaves from native trees like gum, bottlebrush, or banksia for unique textures.
🐚 2. Seashell Wind Chimes
Perfect for beachcombers and coastal homes.
What you need:
- Clean seashells with small holes (or drill tiny holes gently)
- Twine or jute string
- A sturdy stick or driftwood
- Optional: beads or sea glass
How-to:
- Tie string through each shell.
- Attach shells to the stick at varying lengths.
- Hang in a breezy spot and enjoy the gentle sound.
🌊 Tip: Collect responsibly — only take a few shells and avoid removing from protected beaches.
🐦 3. DIY Bird Feeder from Recycled Orange Peels
A healthy snack for your local birds and a fun science lesson.
What you need:
- Halved orange peels (scooped out)
- Twine
- Birdseed
How-to:
- Poke holes in each side of the peel and thread the twine through.
- Fill with birdseed and hang from a tree branch.
- Watch feathered visitors enjoy their eco-snack!
🧠 Bonus: Use a notebook to track which birds visit — a great nature study add-on!
🌸 4. Pressed Flower & Leaf Bookmarks
Celebrate Aussie flora in your next read.
What you need:
- Fresh flowers or leaves
- Heavy books
- Recycled cardboard or paper
- Glue and clear contact or laminating sheets
How-to:
- Place flowers between paper inside a book for 5–7 days.
- Glue pressed flowers onto a bookmark-sized card.
- Seal with clear contact paper or laminate.
🌼 Native picks: wattle, eucalyptus, grevillea, flannel flower
🪴 5. Painted Rock Garden Creatures
Transform simple stones into ladybugs, bees, or snakes.
What you need:
- Smooth stones
- Non-toxic paint
- Sealer (optional)
- Googly eyes (or paint your own)
How-to:
- Wash and dry the stones.
- Paint your creature and let dry.
- Use in the garden, as paperweights, or tiny gifts.
🎨 Eco upgrade: Make natural paint using beetroot, turmeric, or charcoal!
🧺 Bonus Ideas for Rainy Days
- Pinecone Fire Starters – Dip pinecones in beeswax for eco-camping gifts.
- Nature Mandalas – Arrange leaves, flowers, and pebbles in beautiful outdoor spirals.
- Seed Bombs – Mix wildflower seeds with clay and soil to create plantable gifts.
♻️ Eco Crafting Tips
✅ Always collect mindfully: Use fallen items — never pluck live plants or disturb wildlife habitats.
✅ Avoid plastic: Use string, twine, or natural adhesives when possible.
✅ Upcycle what you already have: Glass jars, newspaper, cardboard, and cloth scraps make great craft bases.
✅ Compost your scraps: Petals, peels, and paper can all go back into the earth.
🦘 Why It’s Great for Aussie Families
Australia’s diverse natural environment — from bushland and coastlines to urban backyards — offers the perfect setting for nature-based crafting. It’s a way to:
- Encourage outdoor play
- Teach sustainability and environmental respect
- Build fine motor skills and creativity
- Create lasting family memories
