Nature Table Boxes

When you set up your nature table using the fall issue of Crafting Connections, it says you’ll need “containers and vessels.” Talk about vague, right?!

We were purposefully vague in the hopes that you’d scavenge around your house looking for little containers that you already had – mason jars, small boxes, little baskets – rather than feeling like this was just one more thing that you’d need to buy.

But just in case you aren’t finding anything that quite fits the bill, or you’re looking to add a little more handmade to your nature table area, this project is right up your alley!

A note, I did this project by myself for a few reasons. One, because grown-ups like to craft too (alone) and also because it is sometimes nice to craft for our little ones, rather than with them. Sometimes it’s fun to surprise them with a few new special things on their nature table – or anywhere for that matter – for them to discover later. That isn’t saying you couldn’t involve your little ones, you could. This is a simple and straightforward project that is ready to be re-mixed based on their ideas and whims, just like all the projects here at Crafting Connections.

You Will Need

A square piece of thick cardstock – size is somewhat irrelevant, a bigger square makes a bigger box, a smaller square makes a smaller box

Ruler

Glue

Pen or Pencil

Binder Clips (paper clips or clothespins will also work)

What to Do

Step 1 – Draw folding lines onto your square. You may want to make your lines quite light, just so you can see them to make your folds. That way you won’t notice them on the finished box.

I drew my lines just a bit less than a third of the way from the edge. (I used a six-inch square piece of paper, I drew my lines 1.5 inches in from the edge.)

Step 2 – Fold and un-fold your paper along those lines.

Step 3 – Fold and un-fold your paper along the diagonals.

Step 4 – Starting with one corner, add a small bit of glue to one of the triangles formed by the creases.

Step 5 – Press the corner up and clip it with the binder clip to hold it in place.

Step 6 – Repeat with the remaining three corners, all the way around your box.

Step 7 – Leave your box as is, yay! Or add another touch of glue to bring the flaps in.

More Boxes, Different Materials

That basic box design was just a starting point for the three boxes I made for our nature table.

For the first box I made, I used a brown paper grocery sack and decoupaged the printed side with tissue paper.

For the second box, I used two squares of wool felt in coordinating colors. Instead of using glue, I stitched up the sides with an embroidery needle and embroidery floss.

For the third box, I used a thrifted wool sweater that I felted. I stitched that one up as well, this time using a blunt needle and some leftover sock yarn.

Connect with Us

Did you make a box (or boxes) for your nature table? What did you use? Did your little ones help? Please share your stories and pictures in the comments section or on our Facebook page - we look forward to connecting with you there.…

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