
Nature Collection Can
(no nap rating necessary because you can make this with your toddler!)
Tools & Materials
- One empty can of some sort. We used a formula can. (Or recycle several formula cans to make more of these for other kids)
- Decorative paper
- Clip art images
- Color printer
- Scissors
- Ribbon
- Decoupage medium
- Foam brush
- Newspaper
Steps
- Clean out the formula can and remove its label.
- Use the label you just removed as a template for the covering. Trace the shape onto the decorative paper, then cut out.
- Working on a newspaper-covered surface, cover the surface of the can with decoupage medium and adhere the decorative paper to completely cover the sides of the can.
- Find some copyright-free clip art images on the internet or use the ones provided by Microsoft Word. Print them out in color. We used images of butterflies, bugs, nuts, leaves and clouds.
- Cut the images out and adhere them randomly to the can.
- Cover the entire surface of the can again with decoupage medium. Let dry completely.
- Poke two holes in the can on opposite sides, about 1″ from the top.
- To make a handle, thread ribbon through the holes and knot each end so it won’t come back through. I just used some leftover ribbon I had from another project, but made sure it was long enough for Liv to carry over her shoulder. And here she is with it!

Make sure to leave the lid off, though, if your son or daughter puts anything damp in the can. We collected some leaves and buckeyes that were a bit wet one day, put the lid on, and forgot about it for a few days. When we opened it up…mold!
Retro-Activity:
It’s so fun to rediscover activities I used to delight in as a kid. Remember leaf rubbings? Liv thought it was nothing short of magical watching the leaf patterns emerge as we rubbed our crayons over the page. So, make sure you collect lots of beautiful leaves on your nature walk!
Leaf Rubbings
(no nap rating)
Tools & Materials
- blank white paper
- crayons
- leaves that are still pliable (the dead and crunchy ones don’t work!)
Steps
- Sandwich a leaf vein-side up between 2 sheets of paper.
- Remove the paper wrapping from some crayons–let your child select the colors!
- Rub the crayon length-wise over the paper until the shape and texture of the leaf underneath shows up.

Val,
LOVE the new look to your blog! That's a huge step in the right direction for increasing readership/notice-ability. Did you design the header yourself? It's gorgeous! And you MUST teach me how to take better photos.
Of course you know I also dig this project as we've done it several times now. Kiddos are up, must run.
Alcia