I want to share this really cool craft we tried out recently — making a Nature Walk Cardboard Vase. It’s such a clever way to reuse those endless stacks of cardboard boxes while also getting a chance to wander outdoors and gather some lovely dandelions. Who knew that those bright little flowers considered by many as mere weeds could turn into such a charming display?
This project was not only super easy but also a great excuse to spend some quality time outside. The kids absolutely loved hunting for the perfect dandelions and wild flowers, and it turned into a mini adventure, exploring different spots and learning a bit about what makes these flowers so resilient and widespread. Crafting with natural elements really brings a unique touch to the finished piece, making it all the more special.
All you really need is a bit of cardboard, a pair of scissors, and a marker, and you’re set to create something pretty spectacular. As we shaped our vase and arranged our dandelions, it was amazing to see how something so simple could look so elegant. Plus, it gave us a wonderful opportunity to talk about the importance of seeing beauty in the everyday and how nature can be found and celebrated everywhere, even in our own backyards. If you’re itching to try something new that connects you with the outdoors, this Nature Walk Cardboard Vase craft is a perfect pick!
Nature Walk Cardboard Vase Craft
Material List
- Cardboard
- Scissors
- Black Marker
- Dandelions, colorful flowers or wild flowers
- Small screw driver
Directions
- Prepare Your Cardboard: Start by finding a piece of cardboard large enough for your vase. Recycled boxes work great for this.
- Draw and Cut Out the Vase: Using a marker, draw the outline of a vase on your cardboard. You can make it as simple or as stylish as you like. Once you’re happy with your design, use the scissors to carefully cut it out.
- Make Slots for Dandelions: Decide how many dandelions you’d like to display in your vase. For each dandelion, cut a small holes at the top edge of the cardboard vase. Make sure the slits are slightly spaced apart and are large enough to hold the stems but tight enough to keep them upright.
- Insert Dandelions or Flower: Go on a nature walk or pick some dandelions or wild flowers from your grass, making sure to keep the stems long. Gently slide each stem into a slit until it feels secure. Arrange them to your liking.
Tips for Success
- If working with younger kids, pre-cut the vase and slits for safety.
- To make the vase stand upright, you can create a cardboard base or simply tape the vase to a wall or window.
- Personalize your vase by coloring or painting the cardboard before cutting it out, or add decorations like stickers or glitter.
Other Nature Crafts:
Recently, we’ve been exploring several fun nature crafts. Here are a few:
- Twig and Leaf Butterflies: Use fallen twigs and leaves to create colorful butterfly art.
- Rock Painting: Gather smooth stones and paint them with vibrant designs or friendly faces.
- Pine Cone Birds: Turn pine cones into adorable bird decorations with just some feathers and googly eyes.
Share Your Crafting Moments:
We love seeing what you create! Share your completed Cardboard Dandelion Vase or any other nature crafts you’ve tried with us. Post your photos and stories in our “Share Your Crafting Moments” section or tag us on social media. Your creative ideas inspire our community and celebrate the beauty of crafting with natural materials.
This Cardboard Vase Craft is a delightful way to bring the outdoors inside and add a touch of spring to your home. It’s amazing what a little creativity and some common household items can achieve! Let’s keep finding joy in making something beautiful together.
Play2Learn Toddler & Preschool Programs for Curious Toddlers
There is no limit to your toddler’s energy and curiosity. That energy and curiosity although a joy can be challenging at times. Their interest in just about everything around them is what makes them great learners. One and two year olds can soak up so much just from their senses!
But as a teacher or parent that thirst for learning can be exhausting. That is why I created this toddler and preschooler program. To help you get the most out of this time with your curious toddler without having to come up with creative ways to play and interact with them.
Play2Learn for Toddlers includes 20 Units for toddlers. Each 2-week toddler unit has 20 super easy to set up and engaging activities for toddlers 18 months to 3 years.
Play2Learn Preschool which includes 20 Units for preschoolers. Each 2-week preschoolers unit has 20 unique and easy to set up and engaging activities for preschoolers 3 years to 5 years. That’s over 800 learning activities for your toddler and preschooler at your fingertips! So many ideas you and your child will never be bored again!
These toddler and preschool lesson plans and activities will definitely keep you and your toddler and preschooler busy playing and learning!
Click here for more information: Play2Learn
Book: Exciting Sensory Bins for Curious Kids
Did you know I wrote a book of sensory bins? Click here for more information Exciting Sensory Bin for Curious Kids. Or grab your copy at Amazon.
Boring afternoons are made exciting with awesome animal-based bins, like Salty Shark Bay or Yarn Farm. Pretend play bins like Birthday Cake Sensory Play or Bubble Tea Party encourage creativity and imagination. And your kids will have so much fun they won’t even know they’re getting smarter with STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) activities like Sink or Float Soup, Magnetic Letter Hunt or Ice Cream Scoop and Count.
Designed for toddlers 18 months and up.
Book: Super STEAM Activity Book for Kids
Learning all about science, technology, engineering, art, and math sets kids up for scholastic success―and it can be so much fun! Watch kids enjoy building STEAM skills as they color friendly fish, help water find its way to tree roots, solve math problems with mazes, and more.
Find out more and grab your copy here.
Designed for preschoolers 3 years old and up.
Book: Big Book of Riddles for Kids
Riddle me this: What’s an exciting way to practice critical thinking while having a blast? The Big Riddle Book for Kids, of course! From hilarious puns to tough brain teasers, kids can build problem-solving skills with hundreds of riddles tha. t show them how to think outside the box.
- 350 riddles for kids—Have hours of fun with riddles, puns and jokes, and math and logic puzzles that’ll get their wheels turning!
- Level up their skills—Riddles get trickier as kids progress through the book, challenging them as they get better at solving puzzles!
- Double-check their work—Kids can check their answers in the back of the book with a handy answer key.
Help children expand their minds while having fun with this puzzle book for kids!
Designed for kids ages 6 years old and up.
TV Show: Curious Crafting
I’m so excited to share my crafting TV show Curious Crafting which launched in July 2022 on TVOkids and TVOkids YouTube! Season 2 aired in August 2023! My show was also nominated in 2023 for Best Live Action Preschool Series by the Youth Media Alliance Awards of Excellence.
Curious Crafting Season 1 is also now airing in Australia on ABC! Watch it here!
Set in the ultimate crafting space, Curious Crafting is a short form pre-school age series about the joy of making crafts. I lead a rotating cast of adorable little preschoolers (including my own) making magic out of common household objects.
In each episode we transform recycled items into magical crafts like a milk carton school bus, paper bag puppet or cotton pad turtle. The crafters learn and laugh their way through each activity while demonstrating what their young imaginations can create.
Curious Crafting shares the adventure and joy of making art with takeaway lessons for creating crafts at home.
This show designed for toddlers and preschoolers 2.5 years old and up.
Cardboard Vase Craft
Materials
- Cardboard
- Scissors
- Marker
- Dandelions or other flowers
Instructions
- Prepare Your Cardboard: Start by finding a piece of cardboard large enough for your vase. Recycled boxes work great for this.
- Draw and Cut Out the Vase: Using a marker, draw the outline of a vase on your cardboard. You can make it as simple or as stylish as you like. Once you're happy with your design, use the scissors to carefully cut it out.
- Make Slots for Dandelions: Decide how many dandelions you'd like to display in your vase. For each dandelion, cut a small holes at the top edge of the cardboard vase. Make sure the slits are slightly spaced apart and are large enough to hold the stems but tight enough to keep them upright.
- Insert Dandelions or Flower: Go on a nature walk or pick some dandelions or wild flowers from your grass, making sure to keep the stems long. Gently slide each stem into a slit until it feels secure. Arrange them to your liking.
