Summer Nature Shadowbox
This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #BackToPlay #CollectiveBias Thank you Back to Nature Macaroni & Cheese for sponsoring this post. Try the new Back to Nature Made with Organic Macaroni & Cheese Dinners!
My boys are really making the most out of their summer. They are spending their days swimming in the pool, enjoying trips to the lake, and soaking up a lot of sun. They took “Get Outdoors” month (which was June, by the way) quite literally!
During our most recent trip to the lake house, they had a blast scoping out the lake for treasures. We were picking up unique rocks, shells, and even mussels! They basically spent the entire day combing the lake for really cool things!
And we ended up with a lot of it. Then I had the problem that every parent faces. What do we do with it? I confess, usually, I toss it when they aren’t looking (bad Mommy). That was until I had the genius idea to have them make shadowboxes to showcase their finds.
We took all of our treasures from a recent trip to the lake to create a Summer Nature Shadowbox.
Summer Nature Shadowbox
To make one for yourself, you will need:
- shadowbox (at least 11×14)
- scrapbook paper
- tacky glue
- Back to Nature Mac & Cheese
- treasures!
Start by cutting your scrapbook paper to fit the bottom of the shadowbox. For example, if you are using an 11×14 shadowbox, you will need two pieces of 12×12 scrapbook paper to fit.
Next, write the kids’ names in the middle of the paper. This is where they will spell their names out in found objects or, in our case, macaroni.
Then, they can start adding their treasures to decorate! Help little ones by putting the glue on the back of the object and let them glue it down. Tacky glue or heavy strength glue works best, especially if you are gluing down rocks.
Let dry before reassembling your shadowbox.
You can hang these in the playroom or in their rooms. Or turn them into lunch trays! My boys loved using their shadowboxes to carry their lunch (Back to Nature Mac & Cheese!) out to the deck! Bonus, you can wipe up any messes right off of the glass!
Going back to nature is getting back to the basics. Allowing kids to be kids and getting back to the core of what every child (and adult) needs—a little bit of comfort sprinkled with imagination, creativity and fun. You can help your kids get back to nature by taking them on a nature walk and go hunting for treasures so you can make your own shadowbox!
July 14th was Mac & Cheese day and I couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate creating our Summer Nature Shadowbox and enjoying a bowl of Back to Nature Mac & Cheese. Good thing I stocked up on Back to Nature Mac & Cheese on one of our many trips to Target!
How do you plan to get the kids outdoors this summer?
