Activities & Days Out / 22 July, 2021 / Ellie Thompson
If you’re looking for Peter Rabbit crafts for kids you’re in luck. Penguin Random House has launched a new summer campaign, Peter Rabbit – Friend to Nature featuring craft expert Laura Brand. Laura has created an awesome content series for families, with a new tutorial being released every Friday in July.
The campaign aims to encourage little ones and their grown-ups to get outdoors this summer, and the month-long series of Peter Rabbit crafts will culminate on International Day of Friendship, the 30th July.
This collection of simple nature crafts are all inspired by the adventures of Peter Rabbit and friends, exploring the themes of nature and friendship. Crafts include a Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle Friendship Bracelet and Peter Rabbit nature looms, to be treasured by little ones or gifted to friends.
Laura lives in the countryside with her husband and two young children. She is an advocate for creative and mindful living, using craft and play to connect her children to the natural world.
A successful author herself, Laura was raised on the stories of Beatrix Potter and has loved revisiting the world of Peter Rabbit with her children to create this new series of nature-based activities.
Peter Rabbit ambassador Laura said: “I grew up with the stories of Beatrix Potter and have loved introducing my two daughters to the world of Peter Rabbit. We have had so much fun creating a series of nature activities for families to enjoy together in the garden or out on a nature walk.
These ideas are all inspired by Peter Rabbit and the mischievous adventures that he has with his friends and I hope families will enjoy them as much as we have.”
Laura’s on hand with ten top tips for getting outside this summer so that you and your little ones can enjoy nature to its fullest.
Make sure you are dressed for the Great British weather! Welly boots and raincoats are a must to ensure everyone stays dry and comfortable.
Snacks and a water bottle are always worth taking on longer nature walks. This keeps the little ones going when their energy levels start to get low.
A scavenger hunt is a family favourite game in our house. Simply write a list of things to look for before you set off around the garden or on a nature walk. Always take a reusable bag or a basket with you to collect your found treasures in.
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A slow and mindful walk without looking at the time is a perfect way for taking in your surroundings and looking closely at the beautiful details of nature at a gentle pace.
A sun hat and sun cream should always be packed in your bag on sunny summer days, so that you can be comfortable and safe in the sunshine.
Even on a short walk there is always something to investigate. Having a couple of nature hunting tools can give the kids a sense of purpose.
Find a woodland and sit down for a while under the canopy of the trees. If you can find a woodland den already built then you can enjoy the opportunity for play, or perhaps you can gather your own branches and build your own. Creating a den with children is an amazing way to spend a couple of hours outdoors together.
Try tuning into your surroundings by closing your eyes and each naming a sound you can hear. This can be done on the doorstep, in a field, in the playground or in the woods. This is a great exercise for grown-ups too as it encourages us to stop and be present in the moment, something our kids do naturally.
On a clear night (and if you stay up a bit later) make a big bed outdoors with blankets and sleeping bags and lie down to stargaze together as a family. The natural world can be particularly magical for children when it starts to get dark and they are captivated by the twinkling lights in the night sky.
There is no better way to enjoy nature as a family than to look after nature together. Prepare yourselves with a pair of gloves and a bag to carry the litter and dispose of it appropriately. If we can lead by example and show the planet the respect it deserves, then our children will do the same.
To watch Laura’s first craft in the series, simply click on the play button on the main image of this post, or head here.
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