Looking for a fun, hands-on autumn project to incorporate nature into your kids’ crafts? This adorable squirrel nature craft combines twigs, acorns, and leaves for added texture and fun.
Perfect for sparking kids’ imaginations, this craft idea encourages them to get outdoors, gather supplies, and transform their findings into a bushy-tailed squirrel with a woodland backdrop.
Whether they’re layering textures or adding playful details, this activity is a great way to introduce kids to mixed media while connecting with the natural world around them.
Combine this squirrel craft with our adorable hedgehog project for a fun woodland animal theme that kids will love!
And if your kids have any leftover natural materials, maybe they could craft their very own portrait or try some leaf silhouette art!
How to Make a Squirrel Nature Craft
Materials:
- White Card Stock for Printing
- Colored Backing Card Stock
- Natural Materials
- Brown and White Paint
- Bristle Paint Brush
- Black Marker Pen
- Glue (PVA)
- Squirrel Template (members will need to log in to access the templates).
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Let’s start the Nature Squirrel Craft
Start by heading outdoors to collect natural materials like twigs, pine cones, acorns, leaves, petals, and any other treasures you can find.
Step 1: Paint the squirrel.
Use your favorite medium to color in the squirrel template.
In our example, we used paint, offering a great opportunity for kids to experiment with color mixing and create the perfect shade of brown for their squirrel.
Step 2: Use paint to create a fur-like texture.
Next, try to use a darker shade of brown to add some texture to the squirrel.
Dip a bristle-tipped brush into dark brown paint and gently dab it across different areas of the squirrel’s back.
Use the bristle-tipped brush to apply white paint to the squirrel’s stomach and around its eye.
Step 3: Cut out the squirrel.
Carefully cut out the squirrel and glue it onto a colorful piece of cardstock.
Step 4: Affix the squirrel’s eye and nose.
Attach the squirrel’s eye and nose to bring your squirrel to life, finishing off with a little hand-drawn smile.
Step 5: Arrange the natural materials.
Squirrels are known for their distinctive bushy tails. To mimic and enhance this craft feature, start layering and arranging your natural materials to form the tail.
Once your Arty Crafty Kids are happy with the arrangement of the natural materials, use a glue stick, PVA glue, or double-sided tape to secure everything in place.
If your Arty Crafty Kids have leftover materials, encourage them to enhance the background by creating a woodland scene. They could add an acorn for the squirrel to hold or have it sit on a branch surrounded by leaves.
The Squirrel Nature Craft is complete!
This project is such a great way for kids to explore and reimagine the natural materials they’ve collected, making each craft uniquely their own.
Download the Nature Squirrel Craft Template
This easy-to-use template helps kids create unique squirrels using natural materials like twigs, acorns, and leaves. It’s perfect for adding personal touches and connecting with nature while having fun!
