When the weather outside is beautiful, but the kids want to craft instead of heading for the swing set, why not get them out in the fresh air with some messy kids craft ideas that are perfect for outdoors? There are many activities that are ideal for outdoor crafting, from making sand art to creating colorful sidewalk chalk paintings.

Using flower blossoms and grass blades to add color to a drawing is one idea for an outdoor craft that isn't too messy but still requires your kids to spend some time outside. Encourage them to pick different non-toxic flower blossoms, leaves and grass blades. Help them roll the different leaves and flowers across parts of the drawing to color it in. Some bright flowers will leave hardly any color behind, while others create vivid colors.

Another fun, but messy, craft idea turns found objects into stamps. You’ll need to bring paintbrushes, tempura or acrylic paint and heavy paper or an artist canvas outside with you. Have the kids look for stones, tree bark, nuts, leaves and other objects. Then, help them apply paint to the objects so that they can press them onto the paper or canvas to create colorful printed designs.