Is it a necklace or an Olympic medal?

Children need nature for the healthy development of their senses and… for learning and creativity.

–Richard Louv

What’s on the agenda today? How about making nature necklaces?

Or hang on a second… is that a gold medal just like Canadian (and family acquaintance) Rosie Maclennan just won? (Congratulations Rosie on winning Canada’s first gold of the 2012 Olympics! Your grandparents would be so proud of you!)

What’s a Nature Necklace?

Really, anything made from nature could be called a nature necklace–from a daisy chain made large enough to wear as a necklace or a log sliced thin enough to wear as a medallion around your neck–like the one pictured above.

How to Make a Nature Necklace

The nature necklace pictured above is pretty simple. The hardest part will be finding a tree branch or log narrow enough as you only want it to be about 2 inches in diameter. With a saw, have an adult slice a 1/3 inch thick piece off the log. With a drill, drill a hole in the wood about 1/4 inch down from the edge. Slide a piece of yarn, ribbon, or string through the hole and tie it together. Voila! A nature necklace.

Now, to decorate it! You can paint it, sticker it, stamp it, marker it, or… what else? But the real question is this: Is it a necklace or a medal you won in the Olympics?

This would be a great craft for an Olympic themed birthday party. Enjoy!

Have your kids made a necklace using nature? What did they create?

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Hey kid, is that a nature necklace craft you're wearing or is an Olympic medal? http://t.co/GEu5btUU

— Jean Oram (@KidsPlay) August 4, 2012

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