Learn how to make a winter nature table at home or in the classroom with this simple step by step tutorial.
A winter nature table is a space dedicated to placing objects that reflect the winter season.
There are many ways to design a nature table that reflects the season of winter. The space available, your interests and values, where you live, the age(s) of your children, and your mood will all influence the winter nature table you create.
You may also like Ways to Celebrate the Winter Solstice.
How to Make a Winter Nature Table
We have found that having a nature table is a great way to get children outside exploring nature and learning about everything under the sun (literally). Have fun going on walks in the neighborhood, local hikes, or adventures in the backyard collecting things for your winter nature table or shelf.
There is so much more going on than the simple collecting and admiring of these objects. The experience of exploring the items on the winter nature table soaks in deeply. It opens up a space of understanding that no other type of learning seems to be able to reach.
Children get excited about learning when they are allowed to look for natural items that interest them and are then given the opportunity to explore them in more depth.
The sparkle in a child’s eye once they declare that they are going to bring something home, or to the classroom, for the nature table is quite magical.
Related: Spring Nature Table Ideas
Winter Nature Table Supplies
Even though it will be constantly evolving and added to, we began our winter nature table by placing the following items on it this year:
- A small vase with bird feathers my daughter loves to collect.
- Pieces of wood cut from a fallen branch of the oak tree in our backyard. A few of our DIY winter fairy peg dolls are sitting on top of these. It all sits on a Basswood Round.
- Pine cones my daughter collected on our daily walks. You can use any natural materials found in your area at this time of year.
- Rhinestone Pinecones
- Acorns in a small glass ramekin.
- Small snowy alpine trees. [We found these in the seasonal section in Michaels.]
- Bird Nest with Moss
- Cardinal
- The acorns, nest, cardinal and fairies are on a Basswood Round.
- Playsilks in Sky Blue and Lavender draped on top of the shelf to reflect the coolness of the season
- Winter Board Book by Gerda Muller. Muller has a book for all seasons and we always have the appropriate season displayed on our nature tables.
DIY Winter Nature Tables
Use these simple DIY tips to create DIY winter nature tables at home or in the classroom each winter.
You can be as minimal or as extravagant as you please. There are no limits other than the limits of your own imagination.
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