Make a Perfect Place for Nature
Having a spring brunch this weekend?
Here's a fun way your kids can contribute to the festivities of the table. Using contact paper, construction paper, and a little help from Mother Nature, these homemade place mats add a wonderful note of spring joy to the table.
(They also happen to make a great spring brunch activity for your littlest guests.)
Materials
- Flower petals in different colors
- Leaves in different shapes and sizes
- Clear contact paper
- 12x18 construction paper (or any other large size)
Instructions
- Gather your family and take a walk on a trail or through the neighborhood to look for items from nature. You want to find flat items: Leaves and flower petals work well. (You’ll want to ask your neighbors of course before you pluck their daffodils!)
- Once you’ve gathered your spring items, adults (or older children) can help create the frames for the placemat. Cut a rectangle out of the center of the construction paper, leaving a border of about 1.5 inches or so. Place a piece of contact paper over the frame and set these on the table, sticky side facing up.
- Encourage the children to create their placemat by placing the petals, grass, and leaves onto the contact paper in whatever pattern they wish. When they’re finished, place a second piece of contact paper over the collage to seal in the items.
Pro-tip: You may get some little air pockets here and there, which is why the flatter items work best. Also, start by placing the contact paper down from one edge and slowly press it down, so you can work out air bubbles as you go.
