Nature Walk Art Lesson: A Fun, Creative Way to Enjoy the Season

There’s something magical about fall—the cooler temps, the crisp leaves beneath our feet, and the warm colors all around us. It’s the perfect time to get outside, breathe in the fresh air, and explore the natural beauty of the season. If you’re looking for a fun and creative activity to do with your kids or students this fall, I’ve got you covered: a nature-inspired art collage using items you collect from a nature walk!

This project was inspired by one of my own nature walks around the neighborhood. I love noticing the little things that often go overlooked, like the uniquely pear-shaped leaf I found along the path. It's amazing how something so simple can spark creativity!

  
Kids love to explore, especially when the trees are dropping all sorts of treasures—vibrant leaves, acorns, pine needles, and little sticks. The only thing they enjoy more than discovering nature is doing it with a friend, parent, or teacher by their side, learning to appreciate the texture, shapes, fragrance, and beauty of the world together.

   

  

Here is what you will need.

• Heavyweight cardstock (something sturdy for their artwork)
• Collected nature items (leaves, pine straw, acorns, etc.)
• Glue (tacky glue or a glue gun with adult supervision)
• Scissors (optional for cutting leaves or sticks)
• Crayons, markers, or colored pencils

 

How It Works:

Go on a nature walk: Spend time exploring your yard, a local park, or a nearby trail. Let the kids collect different items they find on the ground—leaves, sticks, acorns, and pine straw are perfect! Ask them to think about what shapes and textures they see.

  

  

Create the art: Back at home, lay out the collected materials on a table. Kids can use their creativity to arrange the items on cardstock to create a fun collage. They can make trees, animals, or just abstract patterns! Adding some crayon rubbings or coloring with markers makes it even more personal.

  

Glue it down: Once they’ve settled on a design, help them glue the items in place. For extra texture, encourage them to layer different elements, like placing small sticks over leaves or pine straw around an acorn.

  

Want a more in depth lesson plan that includes objectives, step by step teaching instructions, and assessment criteria?  You can download the full lesson Fall Nature Walk Art.

So, if you’re looking for an easy, fun, and meaningful activity this fall, grab a bag, take a walk, and let nature do the inspiring. The kids will have a blast collecting their materials, and they’ll be so proud of the art they create!

 

Happy fall crafting!