Woodland Crafting

Woodland Crafting — 30 Wood Projects for Children to Make Outdoors

Woodland Crafting guides children to make things with wood, in the woods — and brings the whole craft to life through a series of beautiful hand-drawn illustrations. Across thirty projects ranging from the simple to the satisfyingly ambitious, it gives young makers the basic knowledge and skills they need: how to choose and work their wood, how to handle simple tools safely, how to tie the knots that hold a project together, and how to begin designing their own. The projects run from functional structures to pure outdoor play — masks and puppets, night torches and staffs, arrows and jewelry, ladders, shelters, and a chair built for lying back and watching the stars.

Author Patrick Harrison, an experienced outdoor-learning educator and trainer of Forest School leaders, draws on years of working and playing alongside both children and adults in the woods. His aim throughout is to nurture a child’s love and respect for nature through craft and hands-on outdoor learning. Previously published as Making Woodland Crafts, this edition is the perfect companion for any family woodland day — a joyful introduction to all that a single patch of forest has to offer.

C O N T E N T S:

Foreword by David Bond
Introduction by Patrick Harrison
How to Use this Book
Useful Tools

Choosing Your Wood
Hazel
Willow
Birch
Elder

Some Useful Knots and Lashings
Overhand Knot
Clove Hitch
Square Lashing
Sheer Lashing
Whipping
Netting

Things to Make
Hazel Mask
Festive Candle
Mini Hurdle
French Arrow
Night Torch
Dead Hedging
Staff
Making and Mending Tools

Making Frames and Simple Structures
Nature Picture
Ladder
Stretcher
Star Gazer

The Tripod
Making a Tripod
Tripod Seat
Tripod Monsters

The Triangle
Making a Triangle
Modular Triangles
Tetrahedron
Step Ladder
Lantern
Fixing a Tea Light inside Your Lantern

Using Elder and Willow
Blow Pipe
Elder Beads
Forest Rosaries
Preparing Willow Cordage
Macramé Bracelet 1
Macramé Bracelet 2
Macramé Bracelet 3

Making Puppets
Simple Elder Bead Puppet
Horse Puppet
Man of the Forest Puppet

Giant Puppets
Giant Horse Puppet
Giant Dragon Puppet

Afterword by Jon Cree

About the Author

Patrick Harrison is an experienced outdoor-learning educator and a trainer of Forest School leaders, as well as an accomplished illustrator. The book grew directly out of his years working and playing with children and adults in woodlands, and reflects his passion for nurturing children’s love and respect for nature through crafts and outdoor learning.