Seasonal Nature Tables

What is a Nature Table and why do you see them in most Waldorf classrooms and in the homes of families who value Waldorf education? What purpose do they serve and why should you create one?

The "what" of Nature Tables is simple; they are a collection of natural objects gathered from outside and arranged for educational or display purposes inside. The objects included in a nature table can vary widely but may include things like rocks, shells, feathers, leaves, pinecones, flowers, and other items you find while walking outside. 
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The "why" of Nature Tables is up to you. The most basic purpose of nature tables is to add a bit of magic and wonder to the home or classroom. They lift our spirits and remind us that something bigger is going on, as they're a great way to acknowledge and connect to what's happening outside. But there is no one correct reason for having a nature table, and there are many ways to approach it.

A nature table could be:

• A place of beauty where you can create a 'still life' of your present moment in time.
• A tool for inspiring your children's imaginative play.
• Where you store your props for story-time and puppet shows.
• A link between the outside and inside world.
• An altar to the blessings of Nature.
• A source of inspiration for creative projects, such as drawing, painting, writing, crafting and handwork projects which can then be showcased on the Nature table.
• A starting point for scientific inquiry, encouraging questions, and observations about the natural world, including the different types of rocks, plants, and animals in your area.
• A calming and meditative activity: arranging and rearranging objects on a nature table can be a relaxing and meditative activity that promotes mindfulness and a sense of calm.

How to...

Here are some ideas for creating your nature table, but there really is no right or wrong way of doing things. It's important to connect with your own "why" for having a nature table and go from there.

• Choose a space in your home to dedicate to holding your Nature Table. A small table, the top of a bookshelf or piano, or another area in a commonly used room.
• It's best to allow children to design and set up the space but hold the table with a sense of reverence and not a place for play.
• To add interest, vary the height of the surfaces in your display. You can use blocks, a box or a log to add various levels.
• Drape the surfaces with cloth - (silk, cotton or wool) to match the colours and mood of the current season. 
• Create the background/sky by pinning or draping appropriate coloured material behind it. You can also suspend a tree branch with string from the ceiling or anchor it in a vase or in a pot with dirt.
• Add a vase for seasonal flowers, grasses and other treasures from outside. 
• Add a candle, stones and small wood logs, special acorns, shells, a bird's nest, feathers, sticks, fall leaves - anything you find in nature!
• Special toys, animals and figures can be added too.
• In addition to the seasons, you may also want to change the table's theme for special celebrations such as Birthdays, Michaelmas, Advent, Valentine's Day, Easter etc.​

Seasonal Colour Ideas

Spring: Lemony yellow, light pink, light green, sky Blue, and creamy white.
Summer: Verdant green, rose, robin's egg blue, butterscotch yellow and poppy flower red.
Fall: Fiery orange, gold, earthy brown, warm red, orangey-yellow, tan, and mouse grey
Winter: Snow white, dark green, cranberry red, royal purple, cranberry red, and dark water blue.

We love our Nature Table and change it with the seasons. We love using silks as the base, which you can find online at the Maplerose Store.

Have fun creating your Nature Table and be sure to share with us - we'd love to see what create.

The nature tables in the above pictures were created by the magical preschool and kindergarten teachers at our beloved Waldorf school.