No, I don’t mean real wildlife, but tiny bears, and foxes, and hedgehogs made from nuts.

Take your kids outside and have a walk through rustling leaves, enjoying the fresh air in a park or forest nearby. Keep an eye out for chestnuts, colourful leaves, acorns and everything else Fall has to offer. Collect those things and use it as an opportunity to learn something – I’m sure the kids know more of the stuff than we grown-ups do and if not, it’s the best time to teach them.

forest findsgimlet

I made some animals together with my nieces (2y + 3y). It’s a perfect activity for rainy days. All you need are some chestnuts, acorns, beechnuts, and other things from the forrest or park.

To join and decorate the chestnuts you’ll also need matches, toothpicks and a gimlet, some craft felt and possibly some wobbly eyes.

Sometimes you will need some cardboard and glue to make sure that the figures are able to stand.

Here are some ideas as an inspiration. There is really no limit to what you can create.

Acorn squirrel

Forest creatures made from acorns and chestnuts

Owl, fox and hedgehog

 Have fun !