DIY Serenity Experience Creative Activity

This is a simple Winter creative activity that’s designed to help you connect to the natural world and all of it’s wonders at this beautiful time of year.

What you’re going to make:

• tiny ice ornaments, filled with Winter treasures from nature

What you will need:

• an ice cube tray (or other small vessel for freezing water)

• cotton thread, twine, or other biodegradable string

• treasures found on your walk in nature

Instructions:

• go for a walk in nature. Take your time exploring and enjoying your surroundings with all of your senses - listen for the chickadees, crows, and other winter birds, as well as the sounds of the snow as you walk; feel the sunshine or cool air on your skin; touch things of different textures like tree bark, pine needles, cattails, snow - smell these things too!

• collect a variety of small treasures (seeds, grasses, pine cones, berries, lichen - whatever calls to you!) and bring them home

• arrange these treasures in the compartments of your ice cube tray

• add water, being careful not to spill your treasures out!

• add a loop of cotton thread carefully to each compartment so that it hangs out over the edge but is also buried in water

• put it all in the freezer overnight

• pop your creations out of the tray, and hang them somewhere outside

• spend a minute or two watching your treasure ornament spin - admire it from different angles, and maybe even take a picture or video on your phone. They are particularly pretty with a bit of light coming from one side or from behind!

Enjoy!