Nature Hangings and Twig Homes

You will need:

String
Scissors
Twigs
An assortment of natural objects:

Leaves

Cones

Bark

Feathers

Stones

For the Twig Home project only:

Container eg. ice cream tub or flower pot
PVA
Moss

Method

Hanging Mobile

1. Collect an assortment of natural materials such as twigs, leaves, bark, cones, small stones and feathers.

2. Choose a large twig to hang the mobile. This supporting twig can be straight, curved, or with several branches. Alternatively, two twigs can be tied together to create a cross shape (see photos opposite).

3. Tie a piece of string to the centre of the supporting twig to create a hanger.

4. Tie different length strings to the twig and attach assorted items, making sure that anything heavy like a stone is in the centre, or make it balanced by having two stones, one at either side.

Try creating different types of mobiles with several tiers of supporting branches.

Twig Home

1. Fill a tub or pot with soil or sand. Find four twigs for the main support poles of the house, press them firmly into the soil.

2. Use moss, grass, gravel or stones to create a mini garden around the house.

3. Cut small twigs for the walls of the house, make sure they are long enough to slightly overlap at the corners. Position the first layer of twigs on the sides and the back of the house, leaving the front of the house open. Attach at the corners with PVA glue.

4. Build up the three sides of the house, fixing each layer of twigs with PVA. Allow to dry before building too high.

5. As you are reaching the top of the walls, add two or three layers of twigs at the front of the house, to make the wall above the entrance.

6. Find twigs with a V shape to create the roof support, glue to the front and back of the house, allow to dry.

7. Cut twigs to the correct size for the roof, glue in place.

8. Add any additional features or decorative details, thatch the roof with grass, moss or bark, if required!

9. Plant mini trees and flowers in the garden.

Try making a teepee house with sticks and bark. Make or find a person or animal to live in the house.