Nature Bracelet

The "Nature Bracelet" activity is suitable for elementary and middle school children. This activity helps children explore different types of plants, stones, and leaves found in nature and use them in their own designs to understand the richness of nature. Children realize how diverse and unique the natural elements they frequently encounter are. Today, many children struggle to connect with the soil, plants, and what nature offers us. This activity aims to help children recognize this connection while collecting natural materials, creating their designs, and interacting directly with nature. As a result, their sensitivity toward nature increases, and they develop a more conscious awareness of the beauty nature provides.

Objective of the Activity:

leaf To enable children to observe natural elements closely and establish a connection with nature.

leaf To contribute to children developing an aesthetic perspective by recognizing the beauty of nature.

leaf To teach children the importance of living and non-living elements in nature and instill environmental awareness.

leaf To provide opportunities for children to enhance their curiosity and sense of discovery by carefully observing their surroundings.

leaf To improve children's hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills through activities like collecting and attaching materials such as leaves, branches, flowers, and stones.

First the Story

Tako was tending to her flower garden, watering the thirsty plants. Obu was jumping around and playing, giving her various flower seeds.

Obu, could you give me a few more seeds? This time, I want plants with huge flowers. What do you think? Wouldn't that be lovely?

Obuuu... Obu obu!

Wow... I've never seen seeds like these before. I'm planting them right away. Look, Ruka is coming too.

What are you guys doing here?

I'm planting new seeds, Ruka. Where have you been? I didn't see you all day!

Well, I was so tired from playing outside all day yesterday that I overslept. By the way, your garden looks amazing, Tako.

Thank you, but you also have a hand in this garden. Do you remember planting those red flowers?

Ah, they've turned out so beautiful! When I planted them, they were just tiny seeds. Their flowers look like jewels!

They really do, Ruka. They're gorgeous.

I wish I could carry their flowers with me all the time. Wouldn't that be wonderful?

Actually, we could do an activity for that. If you help me, I'll show you how.

Even if we don't do an activity, I'll help you, my friend! Those flowers over there look thirsty; I’ll water them.

I know, I know, I was just kidding. Here, you can use that bucket over there.

Materials

Activity

The children go outdoors as a class, and each is given a wide piece of clear tape. The tape is wrapped around their wrists with the sticky side facing outward. As they walk through nature, the children carefully collect natural materials such as stones, leaves, twigs, and flowers they find around them. They stick the materials they like onto the tape, creating their own unique designs.

After the walk, the children return to the classroom and share their bracelets with each other. They explain why they chose certain materials and display their bracelets in the classroom. Throughout the activity, the children observe nature, learn about natural elements up close, and discover how to explore without harming the environment. By the time their designs are complete, they have both explored the diversity of nature and created a unique, creative product.

If desired, the materials on the bracelets can be preserved by sealing them with another layer of tape over the sticky side. This way, the children can keep their bracelets as a memento of the activity.

Attention

For the activity, a safe outdoor area should be chosen (e.g., a place away from vehicle traffic, free of poisonous plants or dangerous animals).

Children should be taught to collect only fallen leaves and branches from the ground, avoiding harm to living creatures or growing plants.

Ensure that materials such as clear tape are safe for children's skin, opting for skin-friendly products.

Avoid plants or flowers that may cause allergic reactions in children.

After the activity, hands should be washed, and collected materials (e.g., stones or leaves) should be cleaned if necessary.

To prevent children from gathering excessive materials, ensure they collect only what is needed to complete their bracelets.

During the activity, inform children about the functions of the materials they collect in nature (e.g., the importance of a leaf to a tree).

Provide the necessary environment and guidance to ensure all children can participate equally in the activity.

Remind children that they can seal their designs with another layer of tape to preserve their bracelets for a longer time.

After the activity, make sure no waste is left in the area, ensuring nature remains clean.

Evaluation Questions

leaf What was the most interesting thing you saw during the nature walk? Why did it catch your attention?

leaf Which materials did you choose to stick on your bracelet, and why did you select them?

leaf Did you think about how these materials are formed or their functions in nature? For example, do you know how important a leaf is for a tree?

leaf How did the beauty of nature make you feel?

leaf Have you ever carefully collected materials from nature before? If yes, what did you collect?

leaf What precautions did you take during this activity to avoid harming nature?

leaf What other activities do you think we could do in nature to have fun while protecting it?

leaf Did you learn anything new today? If so, would you like to share this knowledge with others?

leaf What part of designing your nature bracelet did you enjoy the most? Why?

leaf If you had the chance to design something else in nature, what would you like to create?