Dating in the Great Outdoors: Nature Art

Cabin fever during the pandemic drives many people outdoors for hiking and picnicking dates, which are always fun, but not exactly unique. Want to add another element of fun and creativity to your day in the great outdoors? Create some nature art with your date!

All that you will need is already there: leaves, twigs, stones, wild berries, snow, pinecones, reeds, shells, thorns—the possibilities are endless. And you can do this activity no matter where you are—a city park, a mountain, your college campus, the beach, or your own backyard! As you hike or wander, keep a lookout for the natural materials all around you that you could utilize for your project and collect them as you go. When you find the perfect spot, start making art! This is the sort of activity that can be done in collaboration with your date or each of you can work on your own projects in proximity to each other.

The exciting thing about creating nature art is that it reminds the body of what it was like to play as a child outdoors. The fresh air, working with your hands, marveling at the beauty of nature and the joy of creating something interesting all contribute to a fun, playful mood, which is exactly the experience most people hope to create on a date.

Making environmental art can be completely spontaneous, but if you enjoy planning ahead, get some inspiration by checking out the art of land artist, Andy Goldsworthy or watching one of his documentaries to get into the creative mood. Perhaps bring along some tools like scissors, garden shears, and a bag to collect items to transport. Don’t forget to take photos of your art!

You can even plan a return trip in the future to the spot in order to see how your project has weathered or if it is even still there. Imagine the surprise and delight of other hikers who may have come upon your creation and been inspired to make their own.

Above all, don’t forget to take along a spirit of adventure and playfulness. It’s not about building a perfect masterpiece—it’s the joy of the process and the fun you will have with your date as you create something unique together in nature. Long after the art has fallen apart or faded away, your memories (and your photos!) of the day spent together will remain.

 

“Deep play arises in such moments of intense enjoyment, focus, creativity, timelessness, confidence, volition, lack of self-awareness (hence transcendence) while doing things … rewarding for their own sake.” -Diane Ackerman, Deep Play