Woolen Winter Playscape Tutorial
Materials
- white wool batting
- a board, such as a painting board or serving tray, to serve as a base
- figurines (gnomes, animals, people of any material you have)
- driftwood, bark, sticks, pine cones, rocks, etc.
- small bit of silk
Tutorial
This winter playscape can be assembled inexpensively and remade again and again. It can be either temporary or permanent, as you wish.
Buy a bag of wool batting. This material is often used as stuffing for toys or pillows, or can be wet-felted or needle felted. It is extremely versatile for all kinds crafting and fiber arts. It often comes in one- or two-pound bags. Tear off a layer of batting to make snow and place it on your playscape base. Add other bits to cover your base. Try to add a hiding place, such as a wooden cave or build a little den make of driftwood or sticks. Layer some more snow over the top of it.
If you have a small bit of silk, you can create a silken creek, perhaps. Now add some figures such as gnomes or animals. Or add some people.
You might also add a special rock or two. If you have a mama and baby animal pair, they might like to cuddle into the den you made. Resist the temptation to fill the scene or complicate it will too many toys.
Leave this simple scene for your children to find. They will elaborate upon it, change it, and remake it as they play. Their fingers will be warmed and comforted by the feel of the soft wool. They will respond to it and the feel of the wood and rocks in this simple scene.
If you find your child playing with the winter scene, ask him or her to tell you the story of what‟s happening. Or just listen to the play.
(When the play is done, the wool can go back into your craft supplies to be made into something else.)
January 7, 2013 at 11:29 am
So lovely! I’ve been wondering what to do with our nature table since taking down the nativity. And I just bought a bunch of wool. SO I will be doing come version of this. Thanks you!
January 15, 2013 at 10:13 pm
Hi, Becca! Thanks for saying so. Drop me a line if you do make something similar. I wondered if it would be fun for others as well. Happy New Year!
January 14, 2016 at 5:22 am
Thanks for sharing 🙂