Brilliant bark

Tree bark helps protect the inside of trees. As trees get older, their bark gets more knobbly and cracked, providing lots of hidey holes for little creatures such as insects.

Please don’t strip bark directly off trees for your craft as it could harm them. Look for pieces that have fallen naturally to the ground instead.

Bark and leaf rubbing

1.  Simply take some crayons and paper  on your next trip to the woods.

2. Choose a bumpy tree with interesting bark.

3. Place the paper against the trunk and rub the crayon over the paper to make a print of the bark pattern.

4. Experiment with different trees and their leaves, then take a look at the rubbings to see how they compare. 

 

Bark and leaf boats

Tree bark is very buoyant, which makes it the ideal material for making boats. Have a go at making some boats using natural items you find in the woods, then challenge your family to a race.

1. Choose a flat piece of bark for the hull (bottom) of your boat.
2. Use a blob of mud to attach a straight stick to the hull. This will be your mast.
3. Thread a leaf or two onto the stick to make your sails.

Now you’re ready to sail your boats on a puddle or pond.

For an extra challenge why not add some cargo? Load small pebbles, nuts or berries onto your boats – do they still float, or do they sink with the added weight?

Stay safe. Always make sure that there is an adult keeping a close eye on you when when you’re near water.

 

Autumn tree collage

Gather some bits of bark and colourful autumn leaves. Stick the bark on a piece of card to make the trunk and then add the leaves to create the colourful canopy.

 

Rustic bark frames

Decorate a plain picture frame with pieces of bark using craft glue – you’ll need your jigsaw skills to make them all join up so there aren’t any big gaps. Your frame will be perfect for a family photo taken in the woods.

 

Have fun!