11 Fun Ideas for Exploring Nature with Kids

Study Up

Here are few ways to extend the value of your time in nature. Hit the books – follow up observations or questions that arise with books from the library. Draw what you find – get or make a small notebook that your child can use to draw or write about what she sees. Or keep a running nature journal for your neighborhood, where you can keep track of observations and seasonal changes. Have a chat – talk later about your time outdoors and what their favorite part was. This reflection helps to reinforce what was learned, and helps children to look forward to the next time they get to go outside.

For more activity ideas, check out these resources:
I Love Dirt! 52 Activities to Help You and Your Kids Discover the Wonders of Nature by Jennifer Ward
Fifteen Minutes Outside: 365 Ways to Get Out of the House and Connect With Your Kids by Rebecca P. Cohen
The Nature Rocks website
Math-N-Stuff in the Maple Leaf neighborhood of Seattle has a wide range of nature exploration tools.

Jennifer Johnson looks for any excuse to escape into nature with her children. She has a website and blog about hiking with children at thehikermama.com. Most of the photos in the article are hers.