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DIY Winter Potpourri: A Hands-On Nature Activity for Kids and Parents

Looking for a hands-on winter activity to enjoy with the kids? Our former Outreach Educator and current board member, Lauren Salzman, will guide you and your little ones through making your own winter potpourri. This hands-on activity is a wonderful way to connect with nature while filling your space with delightful scents.

A child cutting evergreen branches with scissors for winter potpourri.

Step 1: Gather Evergreen Branches

Bundle up and head outside with the kids to collect branches from evergreen trees. Our family always asks the tree’s permission first—a lovely tradition that teaches respect for nature. This is also a great chance to explore different types of evergreens together. Use a field guide to identify pines, spruces, cedar, hemlock, and firs. If you have any leftover Christmas tree trimmings, those work too!

Step 2: Add Color and Texture

While you’re outside, encourage children to look for other items that can add color, interesting shapes, or pleasant smells to your potpourri. Multiflora Rose hips are a great find, but cones, nuts, or berries are also exciting treasures to discover.

Looking into a bowl of dried ingredients for winter potpourri

Step 3: Prepare Your Ingredients

Back indoors, get a mixing bowl, and start removing the needles from the evergreen branches. Kids will love helping with this step, especially cutting long pine needles like White Pine into smaller pieces. This activity is a fantastic way to practice fine motor skills. If you have rose hips, you can dehydrate them before removing them from their stems, though this is optional since they’re already quite dry.

Step 4: Enhance the Aroma

Add some extra items to boost the scent. Dehydrated orange peels are a great addition, and cinnamon sticks can be left whole or broken into pieces. Cloves or other spices will make the potpourri smell even more wonderful. Your children will enjoy choosing and mixing these fragrant ingredients.

Dehydrating winter potpourri

Step 5: Mix and Enjoy

Mix all the ingredients in the bowl, enjoying the lovely aroma as you go. If you want to intensify the scent, add a few drops of essential oils. Be sure to supervise closely if kids are helping, as undiluted oils can be strong.

Step 6: Display Your Potpourri

Let your kids help decide how to display the potpourri. You can leave it in a bowl, or put it in a mesh bag or a fabric-covered jar for a charming touch.

Enjoy this delightful, family-friendly activity and the fresh, natural scent of your homemade winter potpourri!