Community member Adrianne has created these nature paintbrushes, made from natural materials. Fantastic!
What did you do?
For this craft, I normally start with a nature walk where I ask the children to identify and collect different types of leaves. While we do this I ask a lot of questions and engaged their senses. Are they soft or prickly? Do they have a smell? How many different colored leaves can you see?
While walking you’ll also need to find good sturdy sticks for the handles of your brushes, about 4-5 inches long and preferably smooth without a lot of bark.
When I have some time I choose our best leaves for the project. To put the brushes together you’ll need small elastics (you can find in the hair care section of any store), your sticks, leaves, and scissors.
For each paintbrush, I try to use only one kind of leaf so we can really see the brush strokes each kind gives us. While putting the brushes together be sure, where the elastic is holding the leaves on, that the leaves really wrap around the stick.
Secure the leaves with additional elastics if needed, add another layer of leaves if the brush is looking sparse. You can also trim the leaves as needed to make a more uniform brush.
Now it’s time to paint, I normally use washable paint but most any paint will work.
What’s your next project idea?
Since the weather is getting nice most of my projects will start to center around messy play and process art outside while incorporating natural elements we find on our many nature walks.
Please tell us a little about yourself…
My name is Adrianne Smith and I currently reside in the Boston area with my husband Rich, and Bunny Binx. I’ve been a Nanny for over 14 years. Before fully investing in my nanny career I was the director of preschool operations at a children’s gym and educational facility. I’ve worked with many families over the years and now mainly work with families who have children on the spectrum.
How are you finding being housebound with kids?
It can definitely be stressful especially when the weather won’t cooperate, but the oldest child I care for is normally in school and I don’t, even in the summer, get a lot of time with him. I’m excited to be able to spend my days with him while we explored and create all sorts of fun
Any tips to help people when they are housebound with kids?
My best tip is that it’s okay when projects don’t work out. It happens to the best of us, but if you’re finding this happens a lot try to use the children interested to get them excited for something else. Kids not into painting? Maybe try some painting process art using plastic dinos!
