Learn & Play

Materials:

• Items to tie dye (t-shirts, socks, bandanas, pillowcases, etc.)
• Powered Dyes
• Rubber Bands
• Squeeze Bottles
• Gloves
• Plastic Bag
• Scissors

Instructions:

1. Be sure your item is pre-washed and damp when you begin. Fold your item and use rubber bands to create your desired pattern. 
2. Wearing rubber gloves, follow the instructions on the dye package and carefully put the different colors in separate squeeze bottles. 
3. Squeeze the dye onto the item, applying different colors in different areas.
4. Place your item in a plastic bag and let sit for 2-3 hours (or overnight). 
5. Remove the item from the bag, rinse, and remove the rubber bands. Lay your item flat to dry.  

Materials: 

• Cardboard rolls leftover from paper towels or toilet paper
• Tape or glue
• Hole punch
• String (yard, ribbon, twine, whatever you have around!)
• Markers, Colored Paper, and Any Other Craft Materials

Instructions:

1. Cut a paper towel roll in half or grab two toilet paper rolls and attach them together side by side using tape or glue.
2. Punch a small hole on the outside edge of each tube. 
3. Cut a piece of string long enough to fit over your head. Tie each end of the string through one of the holes. 
4. Decorate the binoculars using any craft materials you have on hand.
5. Observe the world around you! 

Materials:

• Embroidery Thread
• Clipboard, Safety Pin, or Masking Tape
• Scissors
• Friendship Bracelet Patterns

Instructions:

1. Check out the GSK Pinterest page for pattern ideas. 
2. Pick out the colors you want to use and cut to a desired length based on the pattern you’re using. 
3. Tie the strands together at one end. Secure your knotted strands to a clipboard or tape it to a flat surface. You can also use a safety pin to attach the knot to your jeans or a pillow.
4. Now take the strands and design your bracelet! 

Materials:

• Leaves
• Balloon
• White Glue or Mod Podge
• Bowl
• Sponge Paintbrush

Instructions:

1. Blow up the balloon.
2. If using glue: In a separate bowl, mix equal parts water and glue. If using Mod Podge, simply pour it into a bowl. 
3. Using a sponge paint brush, apply the glue to the balloon. 
4. Begin adding leaves and liberally apply the glue on top of each leaf to hold them down. Continue around the bottom of the balloon until it is covered.
5. Let dry completely for 24-48 hours, then pop the balloon and carefully peel it off from the bowl.  

Materials:

• Leaves
• Paper
• Paint
• Paint Brushes
• Newspapers

Instructions:

1. Collect leaves of various shapes and sizes. 
2. Cover your work area with a mat or newspapers. Prepare different colors of paint, adding just enough water to make the paint spreadable, but not runny. Cut your paper to desired size.
3. Paint the entire surface of the leave. Press carefully onto the paper, painted side down, and press firmly for several seconds.
4. Remove the leaf to reveal the print. 
5. Repeat the process using different colors and other leaf shapes to fill you paper. Allow the paint to dry completely.  

Pine Cone Bird Feeder

Materials:

• Pine Cones—whatever size and shape you can find
• String
• Peanut Butter
• Birdseed

Instructions:

1. Tie 6”-8” 8 inches of string to the tip of each pine cone. 
2. Melt your peanut butter until runny. Dip your pine cones in the mixture until they are completely covered. 
3. Roll the pine cones thoroughly in birdseed. 
4. Hang in nearby trees and bushes.

Orange Bird Feeder

Materials:

• Oranges 
• Wood Skewers
• Twine
• Birdseed 
• Scissors

Instructions:

1. Cut the orange in half and scoop out the fruit until the orange peel bowls are left.
2. Use a skewer and poke it through one side of the orange and out the other side, crossing through the middle. Poke the other skewer through the opposite sides, crossing over the first skewer through the middle. 
3. Cut four pieces of twine (about 18” long). Tie each end of the twine to each end of the skewer.
4. Fill the orange bowls with birdseed and hang them outside! 

Materials:

Natural objects (bark, flowers, leaves, stones, wigs, grasses, pine cones

Instructions:

1. Gather your materials. Mandalas use repeating patterns, so try to gather multiples of the objects you find. 
2. Pick a peaceful place that is empty and flat.
3. Organize your found objects into piles to make them easy to work with (hint: use a muffin tin to help you organize).
4. Assemble your mandala by placing the most meaningful or interesting found object in the center of your work area. This will serve as the innermost ring of the mandala. Use your collection of found objects to create a circle around that object, then repeat to create more rings in whatever pattern you like. Make it big or small. Use bright colors or muted earth tones. It can be as simple or complex as you want.

Materials:

• Camera (digital camera, disposable camera, cellphone, etc.)
• No camera? Try sketching out with a paper and pencil what you see

Instructions:

1. Try taking pictures of the following:
2. Something you wouldn’t expect to find in nature
3. Something at three different times during the day, such as morning, afternoon, and evening
4. Something from the viewpoint of a tiny creature, like an ant or butterfly
5. Something while zoomed out (from far away), and something when zoomed in (really close)
6. Review your photo selection and create a digital album to share with your friends or family

Materials:

• Twine
• Four sticks
• Items found in nature

Instructions:

1. Make a frame by attaching the sticks together at each corner by winding twine around and knotting once it is securely fastened.
2. Wind the twine around the frame, looping on each end before continuing on to the other side until the frame has lines of twine across it. Secure by knotting.
3. Go on a nature walk and collect leaves, twigs, weeds, flowers, feathers, grass, etc.
4. Weave the items collected one at a time over and under the twine, alternating to create more interest.

Materials:

• Small, Smooth Rocks
• Acrylic Paint
• Paintbrushes or Sponges
• Water, Old Containers
• White Glue
• Newspapers

Instructions:

1. Clean any dirt off your rocks and let them dry.
2. Decide what you are going to create – a picture, an animal, a funky paper weight… it’s all up to you!
3. Begin painting your rock with the designs and colors of your choice. 
4. When you are all finished decorating, let the paint completely dry.
5. Seal the rock by mixing white glue with a little bit of water. Brush some of the water/glue mixture onto your rock to seal in the beauty. 

Materials:

• Construction Paper
• Stapler or Tape
• Scissors
• Hole Punch
• Curling Ribbon
• Markers, Colored Paper, and Any Other Craft Materials

Instructions:

1. Take a piece of construction paper and decorate with any craft materials you have on hand. 
2. Roll the paper into a cylinder shape tube and use tape or a stapler to attach the ends together. 
3. Punch four or more holes along the bottom of the tube. 
4. Cut the ribbon to your desired length (suggested: 2’-3’) and tie them to the holes you punched. 
5. Punch an additional two holes on the top of the tube and tie a ribbon (around 6”) to the two holes. This will be how you hang your windsock.  

Materials:

• Washed and Dried Tin Cans 
• Permanent Marker
• Hammer and Nail
• Protective Eye Gear
• Tea Light or Votive Candles

Instructions:

• Using your marker, draw dots on the outside of the can. Note that the light will shine through wherever the dots are.
• Poke holes through the can using a hammer and nail. 
• At nighttime, place the candles inside the tin cans and let your designs shine! 

Challenge your sense of sight and direction by taking a hike after dark! Pack a flashlight, test your nocturnal knowledge, and identify the critters who only come out when the sun sets. Discuss how the animals you may see have special adaptations that allow them to see, hunt, and survive in the dark. 

Nocturnal Find-and-Seek: Search for the nocturnal wildlife that comes alive at night. You might find frogs, toads, earthworms, and small rodents.

Become familiar with the phases of the moon with a sweet treat!

Materials:

• Sandwich cookies (approximately 8 for each Girl Scout, but make sure you have extras in case they break!)
• Scraping tool (A butter knife works well)

Instructions:

1. Gently break apart each sandwich cookie, aiming to keep the frosting inside intact.
2. Look at a picture of each moon phase and gently scrape away the frosting to mimic the shape.
3. Lay each phase in order of appearance.
4. Enjoy a yummy treat! 

https://skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-resources/stargazing-basics/