Nature Christmas Craft: Birch Bark Ornaments

My son, daycare kiddos, and I spend quite a bit of our time together outside. We're always discovering new and interesting things in the woods and around our property. Often, our finds make it home with us. This Christmas we're bringing the outdoors in by using some of our natural treasures in our crafts and activities. These birch bark star ornaments are a simple and beautiful way to add a touch of nature to your Christmas decorating. What you need

• Birch bark. Please remember not to peel birch bark from a living tree. Ours came from pieces we've found on the ground or taken from fallen trees.
• White cardstock, poster board, or other thick paper cut into star shapes. I traced around a cookie cutter and in hindsight would have made our stars a bit larger.
• Mod Podge or clear glue
• Glitter
• A paint brush
• Ribbon, yarn, or thin rope for hanging the ornament

Directions:

• Cut the birch bark into small pieces. I used this as an opportunity for the kids (aged almost 3 and 3.5 years) to practice their cutting skills with kids scissors. We had a lot of bark (too much actually) and this kept the little ones busy for quite some time. After they were finished they took their scissors to the lawn to give the grass a much needed trim and I got the other materials ready.

• Apply Mod Podge or glue to the cardstock stars.

• Press birch bark onto the star.
• Sprinkle with glitter. My favourite part. :)

• Once the glue has dried punch a small hole near one tip of the star and thread it with ribbon. It's ready for the tree!