Natural Treasure Pouches

Does your child love collecting found objects on their walks or hikes? Do you need something to get even the most reluctant child into nature? Try these fun little pouches. Kids can use them to collect all those special treasures they find on their walks. The best part is, they are no-sew, so kids can do them!

Begin with a small rectangle piece of cloth.

You can start with any size cloth. I have used here a piece measuring approximately 4 x 6 inches.

Fold cloth in half and glue sides together.

I placed a sheet of wax paper underneath. Be sure to fold "dull-side out" (your patterned side will be facing each other on the inside). The stick pins are optional here and you may not want to use these with kids, it just gives the fabric some extra steadiness while you work.

Rub fabric glue on the two sides using a q-tip or paintbrush. Be sure to get some glue in between the patterned sides, otherwise it won't stick. You don't need to glue the bottom, since you just folded it in half. The top will be the opening of your sack, so be sure to leave that glue free.

Place another sheet of wax paper and press firmly on the glued edges.

Place a heavy book on top and leave for 15-30 minutes.

Remove and flip pouch inside out. Fill with treasures as desired.

I included some acorns here that painted and rolled in glitter, for added fun.

The "treasures" found here can be used for a treasure hunt game in which you hide these items inside a basket of autumn leaves. The painted/glittered acorns are particularly fun to include in this game!

Finished natural treasure pouch!

Celebrate the Harvest Season with crafts using seeds and corn husks!

I gathered these wonderful fall-themed activities from programs at the Garfield Park Conservatory.

Seed Quilts

All you need is cardboard, tacky glue, and seeds from your pantry for this one!

Begin with squares of cardboard.

I cut my cardboard squares approximately 5 x 5 inches. Cut as many squares as you would like to make in your "quilt." If you are doing this for a class project, you should cut one for every student.

Squeeze the glue, then place the seeds in a desired design.

Finished "Seed Quilt."

The last step would be to glue your finished seed quilt squares on a larger piece of cardboard, so your "quilt" can stand together.

Corn Husk Crowns

Begin by tearing corn husks into tiny strips. All ages love doing this. For a picture of corn husks and the strips, see my corn husk dolls pictures below.

Tie an elastic cord around an empty picture frame. You can use a piece of  cardboard instead. The frame/cardboard should at least be a foot wide.

Children can tie the corn husks using a simple knot all the way around the cord.

All ages love wearing the crowns!

Corn Husk Dolls

This is a good craft for the older child. It does take some patience. The pictures have been flipped upside down due to a formatting error in the computer, my apologies.

Begin with 4 corn husks.

Tear one corn husk into strips.

Take two corn husks and bunch together.
Secure with a corn husk strip (double knot).

Flip the corn husk over the end and secure
below the "tail," forming a head.

Separate the "flaps" and insert the final corn husk.

Tie off the "waist." You should cut the arms down to a
desired size and cut off any extra ends of the strands.

Tie off the "wrists."

Tie off the "ankles," if pants are desired. This step
can be skipped if a "skirt" is desired instead.

Autumn Harvest Magnets

This is a great activity to not only celebrate the fall harvest, but to recycle! I gathered this activity from the Garfield Park Conservatory and modified it a bit.

Your supplies.

What you will need to make this project: an old seed catalog or magazine with plentiful fall-themed pictures, clear packing tape, glue stick, strong glue, magnets, old postcards.

You may wish to use laminating paper instead. It works just as well. But I do suggest the hand laminating film (also used for book covers), the heated lamination film would be a bit too heavy I think.

Select photos from the catalog and glue to the postcard.

Cut out the pictures and lay them face down on clear packing tape.

Place a second sheet of tape on the backside to "seal" the pictures.

Glue on magnets. Make sure you use a strong glue.

Regular Elmer's won't work here. Use a strong glue such as Aileen's Tacky glue.

Finished product! Now hang on your fridge to dress up your kitchen for fall.