Petroglyph Hunting Spots – And A Craft

Posted on April 17, 2012 by Shawna

A few weeks ago I did a guest post over at Tales Of A Mountain Mama about petroglyphs. I thought I’d add onto that subject a little bit today at Nature For Kids, tell you some of the best places to explore and share some more pictures.

This time of year always reminds me of our families petroglyph hunting adventures in southern Utah. It’s the perfect time to go, not too hot or cold in the desert.

Here is a list of great petroglyph hunting spots we had a blast exploring. These links provide in depth info on the areas and how to get there.

Hunting for petroglyphs was a fun way to spend time as a family. It was like a treasure hunt, climbing over rocks looking for images on all the faces.

While at Valley Of Fire in Nevada we came across this pictograph

The interpretive sign called it Mystical Batwoman. My hubs began calling me that and it stuck. I hope It’s not because the crazy antennas resemble my hair. But I’ll take it…it makes me feel like some type of a super hero.

Here’s a fun petroglyph craft we made at our house recently…

Petroglyph Craft For Kids

First gather up these items…

Plaster of Paris
Styrofoam plate
String
Scissors
Plastic ziploc baggy
Butter knife
Paint (sandstone color)
Paintbrush
Pencil or Nail
Measuring Cup

Step 1

Pour 3/4 cups of water into the ziploc baggy. Add 1 1/2 cups plaster.

Step 2

Squish and squash it until all the bumps are gone and it resembles pancake batter.

Step 3

Cut one corner off the baggie.

Step 4

Squirt the plaster through the hole onto the plate.

Step 5

Spread the plaster out and smooth it as best you can. Place a loop of string inside the plaster right at the top for hanging later. Let it dry about 30 minutes.

Step 6

Paint it and then wait for it to dry completely…good time to get a snack.

Step 7

Scratch out your images using the pencil and then the nail.

TA-DAAA!

If you’re interested in learning more about petroglyphs my husband’s good friend leads guided tours of most of the areas we listed above through the Carbon County Recreation Department. Where have you come across some petroglyphs or pictographs? Share some places to explore!

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Range Creek, San Rafael Swell, Valley Of Fire

Love Bug Valentines

Posted on February 12, 2012 by Shawna

Procrastination is my friend today. It saved us from lame valentines this year. I’ve been meaning to take the kids to the store with me to pick up some Sponge Bob ones, Phineas and Ferb or maybe those animals with the bobble heads and ginormous eyeballs.

Thankfully I kept putting it off and while cruising the internet last night I came across this unique nature inspired one from Dandee Designs.

Aren’t they cute! I think my boys’ classmates will love getting their own little love bug. But we decided to create our own version of the above valentine because my boys didn’t like the idea of calling their buddies “love bug”. Can’t let their soft side show I guess.

Here’s what I did. I went to Graphics Fairy, it’s a site full of free vintage images, and found this jar image. Then I erased some lines and added some text in Picnik. Here’s the final result.

Here’s How To Make Your LOVE BUG Valentines Using This Free Printable:

Right click the image above and save it to your computer.
Open a new word document.
Change the page layout to landscape
Insert the saved image into the document twice, so there are two jars by each other on one page. (You’ll get 2 valentines per page.)
Print onto card stock.
Cut out the jars. We cut straight lines with my fiskars paper trimmer. It was too much work to cut around the jar. And remember we procrastinated, so time is valuable.
Hot glue the bugs onto the valentine. (I got a variety of bugs in a package in the “party favors” section of Walmart. They were $6.)

The boys did all the hot gluing…I know dangerous! And then I tortured them by making them write their name 30+ times. I was going to just print it on the valentine with the computer but that would be too easy, they need to work on their penmanship!

Now if bugs aren’t your thing here are some other creative valentines that made the top of my list.

Seriously cool…I mean who wouldn’t want a fuzzy mustache. These actually come off the picture and you can wear them on your face! I was thinking of cutting them out of felt and then using double sided tape.

This one has a free printable and I saw bouncy balls in the “party favors” section of Walmart too.

So if you’ve procrastinated in buying your valentines this year you’re in LUCK like us! Your kids will be handing out the coolest ones in class. Have a Happy Valentines Day everybody!!!

Valentines Day, valentines, homemade, crafts for kids, kids, craft, love bug, free printable

How To Make A Pinecone Bird Feeder

Posted on December 21, 2011 by Shawna

Outside our house we have a lot of trees and A LOT of chipper chattering birds. When it’s not windy they’re out playing, swooping through the sky, and hopping about. With Christmas coming the kids and I decided to make them a little gift, pinecone bird feeders. Here’s the How To’s…

video

Before I sign off I want to remind you of the giveaway we’re having. It’s for a kids’ Icebreaker base layer top and matching bottom. It ends Christmas day so go sign up today!!!

Icebreaker, birds, Christmas, nature, nature for kids, how to, pinecone birdfeeder, outside, gift, giveaway, pinecone, crafts for kids, holiday craft, craft

Popcorn Cranberry Garland

Posted on December 7, 2011 by Shawna

Our house is littered with popcorn kernels. We’ve been stringing popcorn and cranberries for the past couple of days, and have finally gotten our Christmas tree decorated! Although between the dog and the two-year-old not many ornaments are remaining on the tree.

I Luurrrvvvv making popcorn and cranberry garlands. They are so naturally beautiful and a fun nature craft for the kids. We’ll be putting ours outside for the birdies to eat when it’s time to take the tree down. We made ours while watching our favorite Christmas movie.

Here’s a quick video of our popcorn stringing adventures. P.S. keep an eye out for the little naked popcorn thief! Poor child…who is his mother?

video

I hope you’re already feeling the love of Christmas! Take care and we’ll be back soon with a DIY Christmas gift idea for nature lovers!

Christmas, Christmas tree, popcorn garland, garland,popcorn string, popcorn and cranberries, birds

Leaf Lantern Tutorial And A Nudge Out The Door

Posted on November 10, 2011 by Shawna

Here’s something I learned about myself a long time ago…I don’t have the desire to exercise until I’m halfway through a workout. That’s when I finally get aggressive and imagine I’m an Athleta Model. (I can daydream right!) Then I wake up the next day and my brain resets itself…forcing me to come up with some scrap of motivation I had earlier to get me out of bed.

Sometimes on cold November days I feel the same way about going outside. I don’t really want to get the kids bundled up and head out because it’s easier to settle for a comforting warm house. But the sensible mama kicks in and I realize a healthy dose of brisk air and nature are the best thing for us all. And once we’re into it…amazing memories are made.

We headed out for a fun adventure the other day even though the temp wasn’t ideal, the car said 39 degrees. We went and gathered some fall leaves and pinecones to make a leaf lantern at home. And guess what, halfway into it the kids didn’t even realize it was cold outside, in fact it seemed like it warmed up because of all the running around we were doing! I actually had to force them back inside for lunch. Take a look…

video
I first saw the idea for a leaf lantern over at 5 Orange Potatoes. It’s such a fun way to bring those gorgeous colors inside. We pressed the leaves, then glued them inside the big jar. Then we put a yummy hazelnut cream candle in it to burn.

It’s so pretty. I light it at night in the family room. It’s a great way to bring nature inside for the holidays.

So here’s my recommendation:

Dust off a memory in your mind when you and your kids had a blast playing outside on a cold day and keep it handy for those days when you just don’t feel like bundling up and heading outside. Maybe it will give you that extra nudge out the front door.
:

During the week of November 14th Polarn O. Pyret will be having some major conversations about getting your kids outside over at their Facebook page. They have declared that week Every Day a Playday week. They are challenging care givers to get their kids out every day that week. How cool is that! So go share your adventures with them and maybe you’ll pick up some ideas from others.

If you liked this post you may also like these posts:

Pinecone Birdfeeder

Leaf Rub

nature for kids, crafts for kids, outdoor activity, outdoors, outside, lantern, tutorial, leaf lantern, holiday decorations, holidays, nature, Polarn O. Pyret

Nature For Kids

Encouragement and ideas concerning wholesome outdoor recreation

Category Archives: Crafts For Kids