Bring a tree to life with natural clay and found materials! In this hands-on outdoor art activity, families will sculpt faces on fallen trees, large logs, or big rocks using clay and natural elements like leaves, twigs, and seeds. Encourage children to give their tree a name and a personality while practicing literacy skills through engaging conversations. Also, enter to win free enrollment for the 2025 Little Tweets Summer of Sensory Program!
Honestly, I am not sure if this is absolutely terrifying, or kinda silly and fun.
Materials Needed:
Natural clay (enough for each child to sculpt features)
Assorted natural materials: leaves, twigs, acorns, seeds, pebbles, etc.
A small bottle of water (helps with blending the clay)
A camera or phone to capture the artwork
Instructions:
Find the Perfect Canvas: Walk through the outdoor space and search for a fallen tree, a large log, or a big rock to use as a "face." Encourage children to look at the textures, knots, and natural patterns of the bark or stone—do they see eyes, a nose, or other features already?
Shape the Face: Give each child a lump of clay and let them mold it onto their chosen tree surface. Using their fingers or small twigs, they can shape facial features such as eyes, a nose, mouth, teeth, eyebrows, hair, and even ears! Wetting a finger with a little water can make the clay easier to smooth and shape.
Get Creative with Nature: Use natural materials to enhance the tree’s personality. Leaves can become hair, acorns or pebbles can be eyes, and twigs can outline a big, friendly smile.
Ask & Imagine: While sculpting, parents are encouraged to engage their child in literacy-based questions to bring their tree to life. Ask about its personality, backstory, and even give it a name! (See suggested questions below.)
Admire & Capture: Once the face is complete, take a step back and admire the new tree friend! Families can take pictures of their creation to document their work.
Literacy-Based Questions to Spark Creativity:
What is your tree's name?
How old do you think this tree is?
What kind of stories could this tree tell if it could talk?
Does your tree have a favorite season? Why?
What kind of voice do you think your tree has?
If your tree could move, where would it go?
What do you think your tree sees every day?
What makes your tree happy or sad?
Does your tree have any animal friends? Who visits it?
If your tree could write a book, what would the title be?
The Challenge & Prize!
Take a picture of your tree friend and text it to Marial at (401) 418-2295 (or send in the Mobile App Chat Feature). We will feature all submissions in our Instagram story, and one lucky winner with the most votes will receive FREE Enrollment in the 2025 Little Tweets Summer of Sensory Program!
Okay, this is mortifying.
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