Nature Dying

Not to be confused with dying nature.

A while back our science lesson (which came from Mudpies to Magnets: A Preschool Science Curriculum) was to dye cloth with items from nature. I really liked this lesson because it integrated various activities.  The entire lesson took us about a week to complete.

One day went on a nature walk to collect acorns. On our walk we learned about the different type of oak trees, who eats acorns, how old a tree has to be to have acorns and tried to find some rings on a cut down tree.

The next day we boiled the acorns to make a dye. I decided that it would be interesting to have some other colors so we scrounged around the house to find some other things that would make a good dye. We came up with red onions and coffee. As it turns out acorns, coffee are about the same light brown color and red onion is yellow. I could have integrated tasting into this part of the lesson to see what red onions and coffee taste like but I didn't think of that until just now.

We let our dyed cloth dry.

Then we made a little weaving craft with our strips. By we I mean mostly me but at least there was some child involvement. A good fine motor skill and handicraft activity.

In the end we are left with a mat of sorts. In all reality it doesn't serve much purpose in and of itself but it's more interesting than a worksheet or random paper plate craft quickly destined to the trash can. I actually thought it would make a nice mattress for our baby bed but my idea was vetoed.

The book link is an Amazon affiliate link if it works correctly. Should you purchase, I will receive a small compensation. I do however love this book for a Preschool/ Kindergarten science curriculum and would recommend it regardless.