Being outside in nature is beneficial for mental wellbeing and each season brings different delights. Breathing in fresh air, the feeling of sea breeze, smelling freshly cut grass, observing autumnal hues, picking daisies or crunching in the snow.

This activity combines the benefits of being in nature with arts and creativity and involves collecting items from outside to make into a picture on sticky back plastic. Because the whole page we are using is sticky, this activity can work well for people who have limited hand movement and control as wherever the item is released, it will stick and make a picture.

What you need

• Sticky back plastic
• Cardboard
• Items collected from nature (that are non-toxic and safe to be handled and put into the mouth)
• Scissors
• Optional – hole punch and string or ribbon

Guidance and instructions

1. Go on a nature walk or in your garden and collect items. Take your time to enjoy being outside and be aware of what the person shows interest in.
2. Cut out a desired shape from your cardboard. It can be a rectangle or square so it looks like a picture frame. It could be a circle to look like a bauble at Christmas time, or an oval to look like an egg at Easter.
3. Attach the sticky back plastic onto your cardboard frame.
4. Support the person to decorate by placing the natural items on to the sticky surface. They can go in a random pattern or size order or colour match or you can even make a picture from them.
5. Optional – use a hole punch and string or ribbon to hang the art work up on.
6. Andy Goldsworthy is famous for creating art from nature. You could search for his work on the internet together for inspiration before making your masterpiece.

What to observe, assess and record

• Watch for facial expressions and body language, and all signals that may indicate what is liked or disliked.
• How are they before, during and after the activity?
• What impact does being in nature and participating in art appear to have on mood, anxiety levels and general wellbeing?

Contributor

© Sarah Hall, Willows Sensory Service
Website: willowssensory.co.uk

Email: [email protected]
See ‘Willows Sensory’ on Instagram and Facebook where Sarah posts ideas most days

Created November 2020