This week's fun activity... mobile made with twigs!

Natural decorations and ornaments can be made simply just by finding some material outside and recreating nature inside! For this week’s activity, we'll create a tree-shaped mobile using twigs!

Materials: Small twigs Yarn or thin wire Optional decorative materials, like paint, glue, glitter, etc.

Step 1 - Gather Head outside in your yard or a nearby park to gather a few thin sticks or twigs that have fallen to the ground.  Do not remove twigs from a live tree!  Look for straight twigs, and look for a few different types if you want a natural variety to your finished design!

Step 2 – Trim Using a strong scissors or pruners, trim the twigs into different lengths from short to long.   Arrange them from shortest to longest.  The “height” of your mobile is determined by how many pieces you cut and arrange!

Step 3 - (optional) Decorate If you want a completely natural look, skip this step.  Otherwise, use your creativity to decorate the twigs and sticks!  Paint them in different colors, coat them in glue and glitter, or wrap them in yarn or ribbon.  The choices are endless!

Step 4 – Wrap Starting with your shortest stick, wrap yarn or string around the middle and knot it securely.  If using wire, just wrap the wire around the twig – you do not need to tie wire into a knot. Make sure to leave a length of wire or yarn to hang it.   The other excess length we’ll use to wrap the remaining twigs!

Step 5 – Add Twigs Add your next twigs following the shortest to longest pattern you arranged.  Simply take the yarn or wire and wrap or knot around the twig to secure it.   Continue with each longer piece until you’re happy with the size of your mobile or you run out of sticks!  Tip: to help maintain balance for each stick, balance the stick on your finger to find the middle point. When you find the part of the stick that makes it balance evenly, wrap the yarn or wire around that point. You can also leave it slightly loose before tightening to make adjustments if you hold the mobile upright.

Step 6 – Hang Find a spot to hang your mobile!  The balancing twigs resemble a tree and make a beautiful decoration wherever you put it!  If some branches are drooping or not hanging straight, try sliding them to the left or right to balance them.

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BOERNER BOTANICAL GARDENS UPDATE The Gardens are now closed for the season. The Education and Visitor Center is open. Hours are 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. MASKS ARE REQUIRED! Gift Shop Opening to be announced. Be sure to watch for announcements on fun learning activities for all ages, and for updates on our classes and programs, hosted by FBBG - all year - indoors and out!

BOERNER/WHITNALL PARK WINTER WONDERS  DRIVE THRU HOLIDAY LIGHT SHOW Nightly through January 3rd.  Enjoy a variety of light displays from the comfort of your car as you drive alongside magnificent forest scenes and whimsical holiday fun. FOR DETAILS PLEASE VISIT:  Winter Wonders website

Please continue to watch for our weekly activities...  fun learning for ALL ages!