Cardboard Vases
Cardboard Vases
A sweet, easy activity that turns foraged finds into a little nature display.
We used recycled cardboard for this one and kept it super simple. The kids drew or coloured a vase on the front, and then we gently poked small holes above it so they could thread stems through. It doesn’t have to be flowers either—dry grass, feathers, leaves and twigs all look amazing too.
It’s one of those activities that looks really effective without needing much at all. The kids loved choosing which bits to add, and the vases always ended up looking so different from each other. Some were bursting with colour, others were more earthy and delicate. It’s also a lovely one to revisit with the seasons.
You’ll need
Recycled cardboard (cut into flat rectangles)
Textas, crayons, or pencils for decorating
A skewer or pencil to poke holes
Foraged materials (flowers, grasses, leaves, feathers, twigs)
How to make them
Start by decorating your cardboard with a vase shape—any size or style is fine. Once it’s drawn, gently poke a few holes above the vase area. Then go for a nature walk and collect bits and pieces to thread through the holes as your “bouquet.” You can mix it up depending on what’s in season or what you find nearby.
What it encourages
Creativity and design
Nature connection
Fine motor skills
Observation and appreciation of seasonal change
Reusing materials in meaningful ways
A last note
We always remind kids to check plants before picking—look for insects, spiders or signs that something else might be using it. Only take what’s abundant or already fallen. It’s a beautiful way to bring nature in without needing to keep or press anything long-term. Let it be something that changes and fades gently, just like the seasons.
