Maple Seed Dragonfly Nature Craft

From spring well into fall, maple trees are bejeweled with curious winged seeds. Botanically, they’re called samaras (pronounced suh-MAR-uh), but you might know them as helicopters, whirlybirds, maple keys, or simply maple seeds. And they make the most enchanting wings for maple seed dragonfly craft!

Estimated time: 30-60 minutes
Best for: ages 3+ with help (hot glue), 8+ can do most steps solo
Season: spring through fall (varies by maple species)

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What are maple seeds (samaras)?

A samara is a dry, winged fruit that spins like a tiny helicopter as it falls, helping the seed travel a little farther from the parent tree. Maples usually grow samaras in pairs, joined in the middle. Because they’re naturally wing-shaped, they’re perfect for maple seed dragonfly crafts.

Supplies You’ll Need

The supplies for making this maple seed dragonfly craft are pretty straight forward: samaras, sticks, paints and glue! My kids and I really like using gold and silver paint for that extra sparkle. Glitter is another option for added sparkle, but opt for eco-glitter.

• A handful of fresh samaras/maple seeds (still flexible, not crispy)

• Sticks (4–6 inches long; straight twigs work best)

• Acrylic paint (metallic golds and silvers are magical)

• Beads for eyes – like these (optional)

• Glitter (optional, opt for plastic free)

• Paintbrushes

• Hot glue gun + glue sticks (adult supervision required)

• Scrap paper or cardboard to protect your table

Sourcing note: Please harvest from your own yard or with permission.

Steps-by-Step Directions

When making theis maple seed dragonfly craft, the biggest time sink is waiting for apint to dry. So while it’s possible to make this craft from start to end in about 30 minutes to an hour, I tend to split it up over a couple days. On day one we collect and paint the samaras and sticks, and on day two we assemble the dragonflies.

1. Gather & prep. Ethically harvest a small handful of fresh samaras.
2. Paint the wings. Brush acrylic paint on one side of each samara. Let dry 5–10 minutes, flip, and paint the other side. (Metallics catch the light beautifully.)
3. Paint the body (optional). Give your stick a quick coat of paint. Let dry.
4. Glue the wings. Add a pea-sized dot of hot glue near the top of the stick. Press one samara on each side so the wings are even, leaving about ¾–1 inch at the top for the head.
5. Add eyes. Glue two small beads at the tip for eyes. (Or paint two dots.)
6. Display & play. Tuck your maple seed dragonflies into a houseplant, line them on a windowsill, decorate a nature table or let your littles play with them!

Tips & Variations

There was quite the debate in our home about whether to paint the sticks or not, and what colors to use. The great things about this maple seed dragonfly craft is that there are plenty of fun variations based on your and your child’s preferences and style.

• No-paint option: Leave seeds and sticks natural.
• Nature colors: Try earth-tone washes (thin acrylic with water) so the wing veins show through.
• Glitter glow: While paint is tacky, sprinkle a little eco-glitter (non plastic glitter) on the wing tips.
• No hot glue? Use strong tacky glue or wood glue.
• Mobile or garland: Tie dragonflies to a stick with cotton string to make a hanging mobile.
• Pressed wings: Press samaras in a heavy book for a few days, then glue onto cardstock dragonfly outlines for greeting cards.

Learning Tie-Ins (STEAM)

Science: Observe the helicopter flight. Drop a samara and watch it spin. Why does the wing help it travel?

Art/Nature journaling: Explore symmetry and pattern in samaras and dragonfly wings. Sketch your finished dragonfly and label parts (head, thorax, abdomen, wings).

Related: Nature Journaling for Kids

Quick tips, prompts, and simple supplies to help kids notice more outdoors—perfect companion to this maple seed craft.

Read “Nature Journaling for Kids”

Accessibility & Safety Notes

A few quick safety notes for this project:

• Keep small beads away from litlte children who still put objects in their mouths.
• Don’t let young children use a hot glue gun, and be watchful of little hands and arms when the glue gun is on.
• Closely supervise older children when using a hot glue gun and set the glue gun to “low-temp” if possible.
• If fragrance sensitivities are a concern, choose low-odor acrylics and ventilate.

Common Questions (FAQ)

Can I use dried, crispy samaras?
They tend to crack and don’t glue as well. Choose fresh, flexible seeds (they paint and glue better).

Which paint is best?
Acrylic adheres well and dries fast. For little kids, washable tempera works but may flake.

Is hot glue safe for kids?
For older kids, if you feel they are ready, use a low-temp glue guns with adult supervision. For preschoolers, pre-glue wings and let them paint/decorate.

Where should I harvest?
From your own yard or with permission. Avoid parks and places where picking isn’t appropriate.

Are these toys?
Yes and no. The wings do become brittle over time so they break easily. They’re good for gentle pretend play or for display.