Nature Mandalas
Age
3+
Objective/theme
Getting into nature; meditative creative projects
Supplies
natural materials: leaves, sticks, flowers, rocks, anything you can find!
Optional: two pieces of clear, sticky contact paper; paper plate, art supplies
Students at Wilderness Works create nature mandala sun-catchers with Paint Love artist Kim Warner
Mandala is loosely translated from Sanskrit to mean “circle.” They are often used to illustrate our inner self- from the core outward. The circle is also a powerful symbol of connectedness and unity. Creating mandalas can alleviate anxiety and stress and are particularly inviting for kids because of their shape and uniqueness.
Traditionally, mandalas are created from colored sand. They are meticulously created over as much as a week’s time, carefully placing each grain of sand. Once they’re completed, the entire design is swept away in a special ceremony to illustrate impermanence.
You can make your mandala out of natural materials that you arrange in a pattern and then sweep away (or create a new one!) or you can create a sun-catcher to hang in the window by making your design on sticky contact paper. Younger kids might want to use the outside ring of a paper plate as a base.
Directions
Go for a walk to collect natural supplies.
Start with the center and create a symmetrical design moving from the inside out (symmetrical means it’s the same on both sides!)
Discussion
Where do you see examples of symmetry in nature? (Think about shells, leaves, hurricane patterns)
What made you choose the pieces you did? Do they represent anything to you?
What was it like working from the center out?
How was it different creating in a circle vs. a rectangular piece of paper?
Do you feel any different after creating your mandala?
