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Stir The Wonder

Charlotte Mason Inspired Learning

  • Home
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Tutorials

Nature Blocks

natureBlocksCollage

Playing with blocks are a fun way for infants, toddlers and preschoolers to develop and improve their motor skills. Blocks can even be used to introduce academics like math (counting, shapes, sizes, etc. ) and science (gravity, balance, etc.). For more information on the importance of block play, I recommend this article from Education.com.

Nature blocks are a great way to add interest to your block collection and pretend play. I have seen them available on Etsy, but when a large branch from and Maple tree fell into our yard during the last storm I put Jay to work creating some nature blocks for Caden.

First we had to cut the branch into small pieces, but of varying sizes.

Then we sanded down the edges and any rough spots so Caden wouldn’t get splinters playing with them.  At first we used sandpaper and elbow grease! Then we got smart and used an electric sander. Make sure to rinse any sawdust and dirt off before bringing them inside.

Caden wanted to play with his new nature blocks as soon as he saw them! He has had a lot of fun stacking them up into towers and knocking them down! And fills his little trucks with them!

I have even found a use for them in an autumn themed sensory bin.

We still have more large pieces of this branch and I can’t wait to get Jay to make some more nature blocks! Because I don’t think you can have too many!

Other bloggers have written about their experiences making nature blocks or tree blocks. You can read about it at Counting Coconuts and at Kids Activity Blog.

© 2012 – 2013, Stir The Wonder. All rights reserved.


10 Comments

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Comments

  1. Racheous - Lovable Learning says

    November 7, 2013 at 4:10 pm

    So lovely! We have a branch that we’re going to do this to soon 🙂 I love how beautiful and simple they are.

    Reply
    • Samantha says

      November 7, 2013 at 4:42 pm

      Thanks Rachel!

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf- Sensory Bin | Stir The Wonder says:
    September 18, 2012 at 2:27 pm

    […] wasn’t very hard to find twirly maple seeds, twigs and bark. I even included some of our new nature blocks in the bin. I added other elements from the book as well, such as “gardening” gloves […]

    Reply
  2. Tot Tray Tuesday - Stir The Wonder says:
    November 13, 2012 at 12:18 pm

    […] also brought out a basket of nature blocks for Caden to play with. He  enjoys playing with these blocks and uses them with his trucks and in […]

    Reply
  3. More! Summer Fun for Toddlers! | Stir The Wonder says:
    May 14, 2013 at 8:01 am

    […] Check out how we made them in this post, How to make Nature Blocks. […]

    Reply
  4. Tot Tray Tuesday - says:
    August 3, 2013 at 2:44 pm

    […] also brought out a basket of nature blocks for Caden to play with. He  enjoys playing with these blocks and uses them with his trucks and in […]

    Reply
  5. Unique Gift Ideas for Babies and Toddlers--Frugal or DIY! says:
    November 14, 2013 at 12:12 am

    […] us! You can follow this tutorial from An Everyday Story to make your own tree blocks or this one to make your own nature blocks from Stir the Wonder to make your own set. Or you can buy a set through […]

    Reply
  6. Top 10 Building Toys for Toddlers | Stir The Wonder says:
    November 26, 2013 at 6:01 am

    […] Nature Blocks – Nature blocks are a unique building toy to have in your collection! We made Caden a set […]

    Reply
  7. gift ideas for my 3 year old boy - Wildflower Ramblings says:
    November 29, 2013 at 5:02 am

    […] And, lastly, if you want to make something for your child, here is a wonderful idea from Samantha at Stir the Wonder: […]

    Reply
  8. Spring into Learning with Nature | Stir The Wonder says:
    March 28, 2014 at 7:04 am

    […] Nature Blocks from Stir the Wonder […]

    Reply

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