Cozy Fall Craft Ideas for Kids Using Natural Materials from Milwaukee’s Parks
Fall in Milwaukee is the perfect time to enjoy the outdoors with your kids and bring a little bit of nature home for some cozy, creative fun. As the leaves change color and the air turns crisp, the city’s parks and forests are filled with natural materials like leaves, acorns, pinecones, and twigs—perfect for crafting!
Here are some simple, fun fall-themed crafts that you and your kids can create using items gathered from Milwaukee’s beautiful parks. These projects are not only a great way to engage your children with nature but also provide an opportunity for them to explore their creativity.
Where to Find Natural Materials in Milwaukee
Milwaukee’s parks are full of fall treasures perfect for crafting! Here are a few favorite spots to collect natural materials with your kids:
- Whitnall Park: Known for its wooded areas, this is a great place to find pinecones and acorns.
- Estabrook Park: A beautiful spot for gathering colorful leaves and twigs.
- Lake Park: Stroll along the paths and pick up a variety of leaves and seed pods.
- Humboldt Park: Ideal for finding small branches and different types of foliage.
Cozy Fall Crafts Using Natural Materials from Milwaukee Area Parks
1. Leaf Rubbing Art
Materials:
- Leaves of various shapes and sizes (collected from local parks like Humboldt Park or Lake Park)
- White paper
- Crayons (fall colors like red, yellow, orange, and brown)
Instructions:
After a family walk through one of Milwaukee’s parks, have your kids collect leaves with different textures. Once home, place the leaves under a sheet of paper, and let your child rub a crayon (on its side) over the paper, revealing the leaf’s intricate pattern. Experiment with different colors and leaf shapes to create a beautiful fall collage!
Pro Tip: Collect leaves when they’re dry to avoid smudging the paper.
2. Acorn Cap Necklaces
Materials:
- Acorn caps (from trees found in parks like Grant Park or Kletzsch Park)
- String or yarn
- Small beads
- Hot glue gun (for adult use)
Instructions:
Acorn caps make adorable, nature-inspired pendants for necklaces! After gathering acorn caps, use a hot glue gun to secure a bead or small object inside the cap (your child can choose their favorite bead color). Thread a piece of string or yarn through the acorn cap to create a necklace. This craft is a lovely way to keep a piece of autumn with you all season long!
Pro Tip: Personalize the necklace by adding colorful beads or painting the acorn cap.
3. Pinecone Bird Feeders
Materials:
- Pinecones (from places like Whitnall Park or Menomonee River Parkway)
- Peanut butter (or a nut-free alternative)
- Birdseed
- String
Instructions:
Create a fun and functional craft that helps local wildlife! Have your kids spread peanut butter over a pinecone, then roll it in birdseed. Tie a piece of string to the top of the pinecone and hang it from a tree in your yard. This activity is perfect for teaching kids about local birds and the changing season.
Pro Tip: Keep an eye out for feathered friends visiting your homemade bird feeder!
4. Leaf-Crowned Headbands
Materials:
- Colorful fall leaves (collected from parks like Estabrook Park or Riverside Park)
- Construction paper
- Scissors
- Glue or tape
Instructions:
Let your little ones become kings and queens of the forest with a DIY leaf crown! Start by cutting a strip of construction paper long enough to fit around your child’s head. Then, glue or tape vibrant leaves along the paper strip. Once dry, secure the ends of the paper to form a crown. Your kids will love wearing their nature-inspired headbands as they play in the crisp fall air.
Pro Tip: Add glitter or sequins for extra sparkle.
5. Twig Picture Frames
Materials:
- Twigs and small branches (found in parks like Greenfield Park or Veterans Park)
- Cardboard
- Hot glue gun (for adult use)
- String or ribbon for hanging
Instructions:
Twigs collected from your nature walks can be transformed into rustic picture frames! Cut a piece of cardboard to the desired size and glue the twigs around the edges to form the frame. You can arrange the twigs to overlap for a more natural look. Once the frame is dry, add a photo or your child’s artwork inside, and use a piece of string to hang it on the wall.
Pro Tip: Use twine or ribbon to create a loop for hanging, and consider adding small decorations like acorn caps or dried leaves for extra charm.
6. Fall Nature Mobile
Materials:
- Twigs, leaves, pinecones, and other natural treasures
- String or fishing line
- A sturdy stick or small branch (from parks like Hawthorn Glen or Brown Deer Park)
Instructions:
Create a beautiful hanging mobile that showcases your family’s fall nature finds! Tie twine or string around items like leaves, acorns, and pinecones, and attach them to a sturdy branch. Hang the mobile near a window or outside where it can catch the breeze. This craft makes a lovely fall decoration and is a great way to display your nature walk discoveries.
Pro Tip: Choose lighter objects to hang so the mobile stays balanced.
7. Nature-Themed Fall Wreath
Materials:
- Grapevine or foam wreath base (available at craft stores)
- Pinecones, acorns, leaves, and other natural materials
- Hot glue gun (for adult use)
- Ribbon for hanging
Instructions:
Turn your natural finds into a stunning fall wreath! Glue pinecones, acorns, and colorful leaves onto a wreath base. Layer different textures and sizes for a full, autumnal look. Add a ribbon to hang the wreath on your door or wall as a welcoming fall decoration.
Pro Tip: Add a burlap bow or small pumpkin for an extra fall touch.
Crafting with your kids is not only a great way to bond, but it also helps them appreciate the beauty of fall and nature. By using materials collected from local Milwaukee parks, your kids can create their own fall-themed masterpieces that will add a seasonal touch to your home.
