How to Make Paintbrushes from Natural Materials for a Firework Art Activity

Collecting natural materials to turn into paintbrushes to paint fireworks, or indeed, anything you can think of!

This just might be one of my favorite art activities, ever.

Read on to find out how to make paintbrushes from natural materials.



This Nature Fireworks Painting activity is not only creative but it's also a great way to get the kids out and about, exploring the world.

I also love how every single painting is going to turn out differently, depending on the items that are found.



One thing is for certain... time spent exploring in nature is always time well spent.

These types of activities should be on your daily radar!



How to Make Paintbrushes from Natural Materials

What I really love about this simple nature craft is that it teaches children to look around and find things that they can use in their everyday life.

Getting outside and taking a walk in the woods with the knowledge that they're going to be looking for items to use as paintbrushes and other fun art supplies makes it a fun and new adventure. 

All you have to do is step back, watch their eyes shine with excitement, and see what fun items they're going to find.



What Materials Do I Need for Nature Paintbrushes?

While there are certain items that they do need to find for this nature project, give them a bit of wiggle room to have the freedom to find some other fun possibilities.

Because at the end of the day, when they've gathered up all their nature supplies and are sitting down to be creative, they're going to have a spark of excitement and confidence happening that is just too cute to ignore.



How to Make Nature Paintbrushes for Art

Start by going on a nature walk to hunt for suitable materials.

You are looking to find long leaves, berry stems, pine needles, or any other materials that would make a good nature paint brush.

Try to find items that are stiff, or have a hard vein in the leaves, so that they will be strong enough to hold the paint, and make an imprint on your cardstock.



Then teach your children how to create their own paintbrushes using sticks and other materials from nature and then let them have fun.

The full directions are below.

They'll be creating their own fireworks easily in no time at all.



Although we have made fireworks pictures this time, for Guy Fawkes, New Year or the 4th of July, the possibilities of what you could paint are endless.

This craft is great to do at any time of the year because there will always be something new in nature to find, and a new idea to paint.

Let your children explore and showcase their creativity!



Nature Paintbrush Firework Art

Supplies

Here are all the materials you'll need:

Acrylic craft paint (pick bright, vibrant colours)
Large paper plate (to use as your paint palette)
Yarn, twine, or any other thick string
Scissors
Leaves, grasses, berry stems, pine needles, etc…



Instructions

1. Gather your nature finds together, all facing the same direction.

2. Using scissors, cut a small piece of yarn, or other thick string, and wrap it around the cut end of your nature findings, around ½ inch from the cut end.



3. Spread the leaves, stems, etc apart, so that they create a circle. This will now be your paintbrush. 



4. To paint fireworks make large spiraling circles or a zig zag with acrylic paint on your paper plate. 



5. Using your nature paintbrush, dip it into the paint and turn in circles until your paintbrush has paint on all of the leaves or strands. 

6. Begin dotting your nature paintbrush onto your cardstock to make firework shapes.



7. After using one colour of paint, dip your nature paintbrush into another colour, and dot over the first fireworks you made, to make a multi-coloured firework.



8. While the paint is still wet, sprinkle glitter onto your fireworks. 



9. Hold your painting up and lightly shake to remove any excess glitter.



10. Let the painting dry completely, then display to enjoy your fireworks art!


More nature activities for kids:


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