How to Create a DIY Nature Crown with Your Kids

Are you looking for a fun and engaging activity that combines the beauty of nature with the joy of crafting? Look no further, because today we’re going to explore the whimsical forest school activity of making a DIY nature crown craft.

This simple nature crown craft is not only a blast to make, but it’s also a wonderful opportunity to bond with your little ones and spark their imagination.

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of our nature crown craft, let’s talk about why nature crafts like this are so fantastic.

Getting your kids involved in crafting with nature items encourages outdoor play and exposes them to the simple pleasures of the natural world. It’s a chance to collect treasures from a family nature walk, learn about different leaves and flowers, and appreciate the textures and colors that change with the seasons.

Before you start, ask the kids “what things in nature do you like to collect?” and consider which of these would work best on your natural crown. 

And once the crowns have been made, who doesn’t love a bit of imaginative play where your kids can become kings and queens of their backyard kingdom?

This activity is great for kids of all ages, from toddlers to preschoolers, early elementary and upwards. Also it’s fun for both girls and boys – crowns are not only for girls!

Alright, let’s get to the craft. You’ll love how straightforward this is, and you probably have most of the supplies at home already!

Easy DIY Nature Crown Craft for Kids

Roll up your sleeves and gather your little ones—it’s time to create something magical right at home.

With just a few simple supplies and a sprinkle of creativity, you’ll transform nature’s gifts into a charming DIY nature crown. 

Perfect for kids who love crafts and adventures, this activity is a delightful way to bring a piece of the outdoors into your playtime.

What You’ll Need: Supplies for the Nature Crown 

Now, let’s take a look at what you’ll need to craft these enchanting nature crowns.

You’ll actually need very few things for your crown making supplies meaning that this activity is super easy to throw together last minute. 

• A collection of leaves and flowers (gathered from your nature walk)
• A strip of cardboard (upcycled from a box at home)
• A glue gun (always supervise the kids with this) or to give the kids more autonomy use double sided tape 
• Scissors

How to Make your Nature Crown

Crafting this nature crown is all about simplicity and showcasing the vibrant colors and shapes of autumn.

1. Gather Your Nature Items: Head out to your garden or take a walk in the park and collect some beautiful leaves and flowers. Look for a variety of colors and shapes to make your crown truly unique.
2. Prep Your Cardboard: Cut a strip of cardboard long enough to fit around your child’s head. A good width is about 2 inches.
3. Arrange Your Leaves and Flowers: Lay out your nature items on the cardboard to get an idea of how you want your crown to look. Play around with the placement until you’re happy with it.
4. The clever trick here is folding each leaf over the cardboard’s edge and securing it at the back with a dab of glue.

1. This keeps the front of the crown looking neat and tidy, letting those gorgeous leaves take center stage.

1. Glue It Up: Heat up your glue gun and carefully glue each leaf onto the back of the cardboard strip. If you’re including flowers, you might want to glue a leaf base first and then the flower on top for extra hold.
2. Double Sided Tape method: Stick a strip of double sided tape all the way around your cardboard strip, now kids have a sticky surface where they can add any nature decorations that they choose. 
3. Create the Crown Shape: Once the glue has dried, form the cardboard into a circle and firmly glue or tape the ends together to fit your child’s head. Voila! Your nature crown is ready to be worn.

1. Play and Imagine: Encourage your kids to engage in imaginative play with their new crowns. Maybe they’re forest rulers or explorers in a vast garden.

By tucking the stems out of sight, the crown gets a cleaner, more ‘put-together’ look. It’s like the leaves are hugging the cardboard, making a neat line of natural beauty. It’s super easy, and even the littlest hands can help press the leaves down after an adult handles the glue gun.

The end result? A crown that looks almost like a leafy halo, perfect for your kiddo to parade around in, feeling like the ruler of a magical woodland realm.

This method isn’t just kid-friendly, but it turns out so lovely that you’ll want to snap a thousand pictures. So let’s get those leaves lined up and start crafting a crown that’s fit for your nature-loving royalty!

Alternatives and Adjustments to Making a Nature Crown

If you don’t have glue or double sided tape, it’s also possible to make your leaf crown by stapling the leaves to the cardboard band – no matter the supplies you have to hand, there’s always a way if you think outside the box.

How Long do Nature Crowns Last?

Now, you might be wondering about the upkeep of your nature crown. Leaves and flowers will naturally wilt and dry, but that’s the beauty of this craft – it’s a chance to talk about the lifecycle of nature.

Typically, your leafy creation will stay in good condition for a few days to a week, depending on the freshness of the leaves when you picked them and the environment they’re kept in.

To extend your crown’s life, keep it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. It’s a beautiful, ephemeral piece of art that captures the essence of nature’s fleeting beauty. Enjoy it while it lasts, and when it’s time, you can go on another nature walk and make a new crown!

Extension Activities

(the books linked are Amazon affiliate links)

And for the parents who are readers, why not pair this activity with some lovely books about nature? It’s a fantastic way to wind down after all the crafting and play.

For a preschooler-friendly book that complements the nature crown craft activity, “Outside Your Window: A First Book of Nature” by Nicola Davies is a delightful choice. It’s a beautifully illustrated book that explores the changes in nature throughout the seasons, which can inspire children to notice the beauty of the world around them as they collect leaves for their crowns.

Another great pick is “The Crown” by Emily Kapff is a thought-provoking picture book suitable for children aged 4 and up.

The story is set in a future where a young girl wears a crown, not of jewels, but of discarded rubbish passed down from previous generations. It serves as a powerful metaphor for the environmental legacy we leave to our children, prompting readers to reflect on the impact of pollution and the importance of preserving our planet.

The narrative, conveyed with minimal words and rich illustrations, is an excellent conversation starter about recycling and taking care of the earth, making this a great choice of book and activity for Earth Day this April.

In the spirit of environmental mindfulness and connecting with nature, this book pairs beautifully with the nature crown craft activity. While crafting, children and parents can discuss the importance of using natural items and recycling, reinforcing the book’s message.

Another great activity to pair with this nature crown craft is to look at identifying the types of leaves you collect, and using our guided drawing leaf drawing printable pages.

If you enjoyed this craft and are looking for more activities, check out some more of our nature crafts and activities at the end of this blog post. 

So, grab your glue gun, rally the kids, and let’s make some beautiful nature crowns.

Share the love for DIY nature crafts at home, and don’t forget to treasure these little moments.

Preschool Crown Craft Templates PDF

We also made an easy homemade crown with the kids for a royal theme. (Check out these royal activities for kids if you would like to tie in your nature crown with some royal topics…)

If you prefer to make a crown craft with the traditional zig zag top crown shape, you can use our free template from that blog post as your nature crown craft template if you prefer. 

Click below to download the crown template.

Terms of use: free for personal use and classroom use / educational use

More Nature Crafts and Activities for Kids 

We hope you enjoyed this easy nature crown craft and if you are eager for more ways to weave the wonders of the great outdoors into your family time, then check out some more of our ideas.

Below, you’ll find a treasure trove of easy nature crafts and activities that are perfect for kids.

From rustic DIY projects to engaging educational games, each link opens the door to new discoveries and hours of fun. So, click away and let the natural creativity flow!

• Easy Cobweb Nature Craft
• Tree Boggart Nature Art
• Emotions Flower Face Craft
• Frozen Nature Ornaments
• Flower Mandalas & Nature Art

Emotions Flower Face Craft

If you and your kids had a blast creating your very own nature crowns, we’d absolutely love to see your masterpieces! Your shares not only warm our hearts but inspire other families to get creative too.

Feel free to spread the joy by sharing this easy nature crown craft on social media or pinning to Pinterest. We appreciate it.

Happy crafting!