You’ll need
- Assortment or flowers and leaves.
- Light coloured cotton fabric cut into book mark strips (one each)
- Small craft hammers share between 2-3 young people.
- Craft glue
- Glue spreader
- Card cut into book mark strips
- Tassels
- Hole punch
Before you begin
- Use the safety checklist to help you plan and risk assess your activity. Take a look at our guidance to help you carry out your risk assessment, including examples.
- Make sure all young people and adults involved in the activity know how to take part safely.
- Make sure you’ll have enough adult helpers. You may need some parents and carers to help.
Planning and setting up this activity
- You will need to cut strips of light coloured fabric into size of a bookmark enough for one each and some spares.
- You can either collect flowers and leaves before the session or arrange a nature session in a local park, where squirrels collect for their book mark.
Running this activity
- Gather everyone around and tell them that today they will be making nature inspired book marks. Show them how to do it by making one. Then they will go away and make their own one.
- Place the fabric on a flat surface.
- Select some flowers and leaves and arrange them on to the fabric.
- Cover the flowers with baking paper.
- Gently tap with a small hammer, ensuring fingers are away from the hammer where you tap.
- Carefully lift the paper and remove the flower pieces to reveal the print.
- Stick the fabric with the flower print on to card to make a studier book mark.
- Make a hole using holepunch at the bottom end of the book mark and attach a tassel.
- Enjoy your book mark by using it in the book you are reading now.
- If you enjoyed this activity why not have a go and make more bookmarks using ideas from the Twinkl website.
Reflection
This activity was all about giving the Squirrel Scouts a fun and engaging way to explore nature and creativity through a hands-on experience. By collecting and using flowers, they were able to connect with the natural world while expressing themselves artistically. It allowed everyone to create something unique and meaningful, resulting in beautiful bookmarks.
What part did squirrels enjoyed the most?
Safety
All activities must be safely managed. You must complete a thorough risk assessment and take appropriate steps to reduce risk. Use the safety checklist to help you plan and risk assess your activity. Always get approval for the activity, and have suitable supervision and an InTouch process.
You must run your activities in line with the Safeguarding Code of Conduct for Adults (Yellow Card) and report any concerns to the UK HQ Safeguarding Team.
- Glue and solvents
Always supervise young people appropriately when they’re using glue and solvent products. Make sure there’s plenty of ventilation. Be aware of any medical conditions that could be affected by glue or solvent use and make adjustments as needed.
- Scissors
Supervise young people appropriately when they’re using scissors. Store all sharp objects securely, out of the reach of young people.
- Sharp objects
Teach young people how to use sharp objects safely. Supervise them appropriately throughout. Store all sharp objects securely, out of the reach of young people.
- Gardening and nature
Everyone must wash their hands after the activity has finished. Wear gloves if needed. Explain how to safely use equipment and set clear boundaries so everyone knows what’s allowed.
Make it accessible
All Scout activities should be inclusive and accessible.
If you enjoyed this activity why not have a go and more bookmarks using ideas from the Twinkl website.