DIY - Seasonal Nature Table made of Repurposed Cutting Boards

A seasonal nature table can be such a lovely element in any Waldorf or nature inspired home. For me it is a wonderful way to visualize the rhythm of the year and also to focus my toddler son during our daily walks. He loves to search items for our nature table and combined with picture books and cards it is food for the eyes and the soul. A great inspiration source and my personal favorite on the subject is the book The Nature Corner.

This seasonal nature table is very easy to make with old cutting boards. 

Mine is made of bamboo but any kind of board will do. 

                                                                                

Required Materials;

- (birch) branch of app. 40 cm and app. 7 cm thick 

- 3 cutting boards 1 large (I used app. 25x35 cm)

and 2 smaller (I used app. 15x20 cm)                

- hot glue gun

- sandpaper

- optional; plumb ruler

1 - Saw 3 equally sized parts of your branch of approx 7 cm each and make sure the top has an even surface. 

2 - Sand the boards a bit so the glue will adhere better, then place the 3 parts in a triangle form  and attach the large cutting board using the hot glue gun.

3 - Cut the remaining branch in two parts (one a bit longer than the other) and attach the first in the right corner. Make sure it makes a straight line with the part below the cutting board. 

4 - Attach the last part and cutting board. 

Now you can wax or oil (I use vegetable oil) the boards
and your new seasonal table is ready!

Now the fun part begins...to dress up the table. Everything that is somehow connected to nature and the current season will do. Make sure the child is fully involved in dressing the table, and change the table regularly together in a simple way. Sometimes simply adding a new flower, card or figurine will be enough to create a new atmosphere.

    

This simple Spring table reflects our current reading
"Lily the little princess" and "Peter William Butterblow".  

Have fun and please feel free to contact me with questions or to share your own nature/seasonal table!

Shared on;
The Magic Onions - Friday's Nature Table
Natural Suburbia - Creative Friday
Made by Joey - Sharing Creative Ideas

Rhythm of the Year Circle - Free PDF Download

Required Materials;

 - printer and paper to print the free PDF-pattern

(Free PDF-pattern  Dutch version)

- cardboard

- pencils, beeswax crayons or waterpaint

- split pin (linchpin)

- scissors

- non toxic glue

- optional; thread or ribbon

Inspired by Waldorf kindergartens I have designed a year wheel to visualize the rhythm of the year. The wheel consists of 2 circles. The smaller circle is attached to the larger one with a split pin. The small circle is divided into 16 parts: 12 parts for the months of the year and 4 parts for the 4 seasons. The child can rotate the wheel each month for a new month and/or season. Ideal for playful learning and homeschooling!

- After printing the free pattern you can let your child (or yourself) 

paint it with watercolours, wax crayons or pencils. 

- For extra hold, glue it on cardboard and cut it out. 

- Use a split pin (linchpin) to attach the smaller circle to the larger one. 

- Glue the arrow from the pattern on cardboard and cut it out. 

Decorate it and glue it on top of the larger circle. 

Make sure that it overlaps the smaller circle.

- Make a hole at the top if you want to put the year circle on the wall.

I also made a week circle, which you can download here.
(the Dutch version here)
It is a nice addition to this year circle.

Each new month and season is welcomed in our home with adjusting our seasonal table, singing songs and reading stories.

When you try to focus on a more natural and soulful life with your children by implementing daily, weekly and monthly rhythms throughout the year, you will discover how this ancient rhythm of life deeply nourishes your family life as well as your own personal growth.