Nature tables or seasonal tables are a lovely addition to the home and classroom.
They are a place to celebrate the changing seasons, the natural cycle of the year. Our observation of what goes on in nature is sharpened when we walk outside, look carefully and take small pieces of special things back indoors with us. Our walks can become spiritual experiences.
Children love to collect beautiful natural objects and are often proud to see them displayed in a special place in the home. Let them play with there but also hold the space as sacred and special. You will foster an inner connection with nature.
How to:
1. Start with a small table, top of a bookshelf, piano, or other area in a commonly used room.
2. Vary the height of the surface-use blocks or a box. This adds levels and interest.
3. Drape the surface with cloth- silk, cotton or wool to match the colors outside of the mood of the current season. Use 1-2 colors.
4. Hang (with push pins or use a piece of cardboard or book to drape over) a color for the sky as background. You could also suspend a tree branch with string from the ceiling or anchor it in a vase.
5. Add a vase for flowers, grasses, wild things and a candle.
6. Stones and small logs of wood are nice to add next.
7. Take a walk and see what you find! Add things that are special-acorns, shells, a bird's nest, feathers, sticks, fall leaves....
8. Special toys and figures can be put there too.
9. For special celebrations you may have a themed table: Easter, Advent, Michaelmas, Birthdays, Valentines Day.
Color Ideas per season:
Spring: Yellow, Pink, Lime Green, Sky Blue
Summer: Green, Rose, Royal
Fall: Orange, Gold, Brown
Winter: White, Royal, Red
I'd love to see what you make!
These wonderful tableaux were made by Stefania @la_waziya
Ideas from the book The Nature Corner by Leeuwen and Moeslops
Your playsilks are amazing! Having them for every season would be a fabulous addition to our house! ❤️
Kelly Zakrajsek on
Bookmarking this post! My daughter adores her rainbow play silk (plays with it daily & sleeps with it, too). I need to grow our play silk stash!
Jess Parks Turcotte on
Thank you for the inspiration! I can’t wait to start a nature table with my own children as well as my kindergarteners.
Meghan on
We do not have a nature table, but I’d love to start one. Thank you for all the information! This will be a great way for my son to express himself.
Allison H on
I have been interested in setting up a nature table with silks for my small children! I would love to win this!!
Eliyah on
Our nature table could use some sprucing up with new playsilks!
Alison on
What a beautiful idea! I have a bureau that would be ideal for this!!
Sara on
This autumn will be our very first season to have a nature table! My daughter is 3 and so excited at the idea! She started collecting acorns already! I adore the idea of a special place in our home to honor nature’s beauty. This going to beta wonderful tradition in our little family and through our homeschooling journey when the time comes. Thank so much for a chance win some silks….what a blessing and a treasure they will be!
Amy on
This is the coolest idea! We don’t have one but definitely are going to put something together. Thank you so much for the ideas of how to get started! ❤️
Jessica C on
I always want to try this, but needed a good resource to use as reference. Now i have one.
Tara on
Such a wonderful idea! We are always bringing our nature finds inside and I’d love to create a space that honors our treasures.
Emily on
These are enchanting! Now I know what to do with the empty alcove in our new house!
Jenn on