Summer craft Prima makes
These summer crafts are not just inspired by nature, but are great for enjoying the outdoors, too. And the little ones will love making them with you
NATURE-WALK BOARDS
These boards can be made using recycled cardboard boxes and are great for displaying finds from a nature walk, such as fallen twigs, leaves and already-cut grasses. Use flowers from your garden (don’t pick wild ones) for your display.
You will need
✿ Corrugated cardboard sheets
✿ Acrylic markers or felt-tip pens
✿ Small scissors
✿ Twine
✿ Pegs
✿ Craft knife/scissors
✿Ruler
✿ Pencil
✿ Glue stick
✿ Masking tape
To make
❶Draw a vase and flower stems on a piece of cardboard with a pen. Adult help will be needed to make the holes. Use a pair of small, sharp scissors to pierce where real flowers and leaves can be threaded through. Twist the scissor blade to make a smooth, round hole.
❷Decorate a border round the edges of another piece of card. Make two holes a distance from each other and thread through a piece of twine between the two, keeping the tension tight and securing on the reverse. Clip on some pegs to the twine to finish.
❸An adult will need to carefully cut the weaving board frames, either with a craft knife and ruler or large scissors. Measure and cut six strips of cardboard: four lengths measuring around 30 x 6cm and two lengths around 20 x 6cm. Set aside two of the longer pieces.
❹Make a basic frame with the two long and two shorter lengths, gluing at the corners and weighing down with heavy books until completely dry.
❺ Cut 1cm notches along the outside edges of two opposite sides of the frame. Wrap a long length of twine round these sides, sitting between the notches to keep the twine in place. Tie to secure. Keep the tension as tight as possible without breaking the frame.
❻ Add masking tape over the twine on the reverse of the frame where the notches are. Glue the remaining cardboard strips to the front of the frame to cover the notches. Decorate to finish.
SMASHED FLOWER FLAG
A craft for older children, use food-safe herbs and edible flowers for peace-of-mind printmaking. Steer clear of any flowers or plants with toxic petals or sap, wash hands well afterwards and supervise little fingers when pounding the flowers with stones.
You will need
✿ Cotton fabric
✿ Thick protective mat
✿ Bought edible flowers and herbs
✿ Greaseproof paper
✿ Large stone or small hammer
✿ Sewing machine
✿Iron
✿Sewing thread and need
