Make a Self-Portrait from Nature

What You Need:

• Sturdy, durable paper like oak tag or poster board paper
• Pencil
• Mirror
• Shoebox
• Glue
• Items from nature (like grass, rocks, dirt, twigs, leaves, pine cones, and so on)

What You Do:

1. Introduce the self-portrait activity to your child. Give them a piece of oak tag or poster board whre that they can make a sketch. Set up a mirror for them to look at while they draw, so that they can accurately capture their features on paper.
2. Offer your child a shoe box, and have them scout their natural environment for natural items to use in their self-portraits. Be sure to remind children to collect items responsibly, so as not to disrupt existing habitats.
3. Once they have gathered enough natural materials, have your child return to their mirror and sketch to begin assembling their self-portraits. Invite them to use their creativity as they fashion their features from natural materials, experimenting with textures, shapes, and colors.  
4. Once your child has assembled a look they like, have them use glue to fasten their items to the paper. 
5. When your child's self-portrait is finished, have them present their artwork to you. Ask them to explain the choices they made. Why did they pick certain items? Are they happy with the result? What do they like best about their self-portrait? What effect do the natural materials have on the overall piece?
6. Once the glue dries, display your child's self-portrait in their room or elsewhere in your home.