The Bank Holiday is over and with summer coming to an end why not keep the family entertained with these creative crafts made using repurposed materials?
Homemade Bug Hotel
Bug hotels are manmade structures that offer shelter for bugs to breed and spend their daily lives. Bug hotels can aid any garden, as they encourage pollinators and pest predators.
You will need:
- Empty Toilet Rolls
- Empty Cardboard Shoe Box
- Sticks
- Leaves
- Scraps of Cardboard
- Crafting Materials (Optional)
Instructions:
- 1. Begin by taking your empty shoe box and cutting off the lid. This will serve as the foundation of your hotel.
- 2. Next, glue a few empty toilet rolls at the bottom of the hotel, before using half of the cut off lid to make a shelf above the rolls.
- 3. With the other half of the cut off lid, fashion a small roof on top of the hotel as decoration. Feel free to use a variety of pens, paints and other crafting materials to make this hotel a home for the bugs who will come and visit!
- 4. Attach more scraps of excess cardboard and/or toilet roll to create more compartments and areas for bugs to hide in.
- 5. Fill each compartment with an assortment of natural materials, such as sticks, leaves, moss, and grass. These elements will help attract and accommodate a variety of insects, providing them with a suitable environment.
- 6. Finally, place your completed bug hotel in a suitable location, where it can’t be harmed by rain. Wait and see which bugs come and choose to visit your brand new hotel!
Rainforest in a jar
While we usually associate the summer holidays with travelling to new places, what if I told you that you could do this from home? This craft uses recycled materials to create a mini rainforest from home and is a great way for children to view and learn about the water cycle which is crucial to a rainforest’s existence.
You will need:
- Rocks
- Soil
- Plants (mosses, ferns etc)
- Empty Glass Jam Jar with Lid
Instructions:
- 1. Grab your glass jar and fill a layer of small rocks or pebbles to stabilise your tiny rainforest.
- 2. Next, add a layer of soil on top of the rocks, filling the jar about one-third full. Make sure the soil is evenly spread and lightly packed to retain moisture in the jar.
- 3. Select and arrange your plants in the soil, spacing them to allow for their growth.
- 4. Lightly water the plants, ensuring the soil is moist but not soaked. Be cautious not to overwater!
- 5. Place the lid on the jar firmly and position it in a place where it can receive bright but indirect sunlight. This could be on a windowsill or
- 6. Set the terrarium in a place where it can receive bright but indirect sunlight. This could be a windowsill with filtered light or outside in shade.
- 7. Over time, you’ll observe the water cycle in action! The warmth from the sunlight trapped inside causes the water to evaporate. This vapor then condenses on the cooler glass, creating droplets that fall back into the soil (precipitation). The plants absorb this water, and the cycle continues, mimicking the natural rainforest environment.
- 8. Make sure to keep your mini rainforest healthy by opening the lid every couple of weeks to prevent growth of mould.
DIY Bird Feeders
Bird Feeders play a crucial role in supporting bird populations by providing essential nutrition, supporting bird health and attracting new and diverse species. As helpful as they are, they are also extremely simple to make from home!
You will need:
- Peanut Butter
- Empty Toilet Roll
- Bird Seed (or alternatively sunflower seeds)
- String
Instructions:
- 1. Grab your empty toilet roll and cut two holes on one side and thread string through.
- 2. Spread peanut butter all over the outside of the toilet roll, ensuring that it is evenly covered.
- 3. Pour a generous amount of bird seed onto a plate or shallow dish. Roll the peanut butter-coated toilet roll in the bird seed, pressing gently to ensure that the seeds stick well and cover the roll completely.
- 4. Find a suitable spot outdoors, such as a tree branch, hook, or garden post, and hang your bird feeder using the string loop. Ensure it is securely placed where birds can easily access it. Then, sit back and watch as various bird species come to enjoy the feeder you’ve made, providing them with a delicious and nutritious treat!
