Kid Crafts: A Nature Walk and Mini Pumpkins

Please let me know if you like this blog post.  If parents enjoy it then I will post a new Kid Craft every week. Also please feel free to share with your friends or local homeschool groups!

Mini Acorn Pumpkins

This cute craft involves a nature walk, acorn gathering, and family fun!

What You'll Need:
-Acorns
-Orange acrylic paint
-Black permanent marker

Optional Stuff:
-Brown or green acrylic paint

Instructions:

1. Take your kids on a nature walk. A park or nature preserve is a fun place to learn and see new things.  Of course if you don't live near a park or nature preserve, a walk through the neighborhood is sure to yield some acorns!

2. Bring a plastic baggie to make sure the kiddos have a place to store their acorns.

3. Sometimes acorns have an unpleasant surprise:  weevils.  To kill the weevils you can place them on a cookie sheet and bake them in the oven for a few minutes (2 or 3 minutes at 350 should do the trick).  Keep a careful eye on the oven to make sure you don't burn your acorns. 

4. Paint acorns orange and set aside to dry.

5. Once dry you can paint a leaf or stem on the acorn's point for added decoration.

6. Use the marker to draw a face.

The mini pumpkins look cute in a small clear jar, or if you're really crafty you can try punching holes in the middle and using them as beads.

This craft courtesy of Disney Family Fun.