Nature art on the banks of the Boise River.

One of my favorite things to do with kids outside is nature art. It allows them to be creative and constructive while learning at the same time. They get to see the textures and colors of nature and learn that getting their hands dirty can be a lot of fun. We spent last week on the Boise Greenbelt with ALL of the K-3 students from Riverside Elementary. I had around 400 nature artists join me on the beach. We talked about art as a form of communication, the history of art, and the difference between vandalism and artwork. These photos are just a portion of the pieces they made.

Bear face

Sea turtle

Big grin!

The artist didn't give a title, but I think it looks like an Ewok.

Tell me about your art. "It's a puppy!"

This future forester built a model forest.

She liked the red berries.

One entire group of kindergartners wanted to  make a piece together to they created a row of stacked rocks as a team.

It's another puppy.

This is, "a crazy-haired person."

Some kids would do something completely new and novel. This girl made her art vertical. (See next photo)

Smile!

Mixed-media rock/pine cone tower.

One of my students made a portrait of me.

This girl's friend had blonde hair so she made a portrait of her using straw.

Teamwork!

Dog faces were popular.

This pair ended up with a butterfly.

The first rock cairn. I think it looks like a frog.

A flower.

It's a frog house!

No title, she just thought it was pretty.

Future trail blazer practicing her rock towers.

Building together on the stairs.

Their art project was to throw rocks.