House for Acorn Elves and Nativity Scenes
How Kids Create with Nature Thanks to Their Amazing Teacher
When kids in after-school care dive into creating with natural materials, magic happens. For them, nature is an endless source of inspiration, materials, and joy. And when they’re guided by an enthusiastic and creative teacher who takes children outdoors and brings nature indoors, the results are nothing short of extraordinary.
At 4.I after-school care at ZŠ Jižní in Prague, it all started with the idea of building a House for Acorn Elves – tiny figures made from natural materials. And how did it turn out? Let the children speak for themselves in their school magazine:
“We came up with the idea to make a House for Acorn Elves. In a cardboard box, we created different rooms using cardboard. We really enjoyed brainstorming ways to improve it. We even made pots, a sink, a cradle, a shoe rack, a coat rack, a stove, and a flushing toilet. We played and had so much fun!” (Dorka)
“We pretended that the Acorn Elves were building everything. We started with a room for three people and a baby. Then we kept expanding, adding on, and improving everything.” (Bert)
“At the school Advent Market, we showcased our House for Acorn Elves and sold Acorn Elf nativity scenes.” (Bert, Anna, Eli)
“We had such a great time, and it was really Dorka who started it all.” (Kačka)
Learning Creativity, Teamwork, and the Joy of Crafting
Thanks to their teacher Lenka, the children discovered how amazing it is to create not only outdoors but also indoors, bringing nature inside with them. Acorns, pinecones, twigs, and bark were transformed into furniture, houses, and nativity scenes. The best part? The children created everything with enthusiasm, imagination, and joy, which they then shared with others – like at the school Advent Market, where they displayed and sold their creations.
The House for Acorn Elves is a wonderful example of how creativity can be intertwined with nature. The children themselves brainstormed what to add, how to improve, and how to perfect every detail. The result wasn’t just a beautiful “structure,” but also hours of shared laughter, ideas, and teamwork.
Inspiration for Outdoors and Indoors
“In today’s world, where kids spend so much time in front of screens, it’s amazing to see how they can play, create, and learn thanks to nature. Whether it’s outdoors, gathering materials, or indoors, transforming them into little artistic projects,” says teacher Lenka.
A huge thank you goes to the inspiring teacher and to the children themselves – their energy, ideas, and eagerness to create are the best proof that nature truly is the best playground and workshop.
So, what do you say – are you ready to build your own House for Acorn Elves?
Kids of 4.I after-school care at ZŠ Jižní, Prague and their creations.
More inspiration on: https://shop.dubanci.cz/en/ or great https://www.davidmbird.com/
