Nature Ideas for Kids: Take the Fun and Learning Outside
Play is so important! Childhood play and development go hand-in-hand. Play helps children learn more about the world around them and how to interact with other people of different ages. In this post, we will take this childhood play outside! Keep reading to find lots of nature ideas for kids!
When it comes to childhood play, the outdoors is the perfect place to explore, create new memories, and have fun. Unless the weather is stormy, going outside is the way to go. From exploring in the backyard to going camping, being outside is what is important. There is just something special and almost magical about nature and the outdoors. And with a childlike sense of wonder, nature is even more special!
Take the Fun and Learning Outside
The truth is, my children love playing with our leftover nightcrawler worms from our bait box after going fishing. They find them fascinating and will play with them for a long time. We have studied their anatomy and found out some awesome things about these little crawly creatures. Don’t forget that your local library is a great resource to do some research. Follow your children’s interest because honestly, it is the best way for children to learn.
Have you ever thought of doing a Bird Nature Study? Getting started with a bird nature study may seem difficult, but with just a few simple items you can be up and out in no time! Give it a try! Or what about going on a Nature Walk and have a Scavenger Hunt? One of the easiest things to do in the fall is to take a nature walk. Find a local park or trail to spend a couple of hours exploring with your kids.
Maybe you want to try something new and go for an ABC Nature Walk! What is that? You just draw a very easy chart with the letters of the alphabet and spaces to print and take it along on a clipboard. It is also important to keep in mind that some of the best homeschool lessons do not come from books! Real life can be the best teacher of all. Here are some great Lessons in Nature that all homeschoolers will appreciate.
Nature Ideas for Kids -Printables & Freebies
Sometimes, we use printables to make our lessons more understandable and/or more fun. HERE is a great list of some free printables related to Botany, Gardening, and Nature. If you love Botany and want to focus on that with your littles, HERE is a great resource for you! Children will enjoy printables about planting a garden and the parts of a plant, a tree, and a flower. They will love learning about edible roots like carrots and onions and so many other wonderful topics!
Or maybe you want to learn more about animal survival habits like migration and hibernation. They can also learn about animals and their habitats such a North America. And some students will find Earth Science lessons about weathering and erosion fascinating! Parents, I am sure you will appreciate some frugal ideas on exploring creation!
Do you and your children enjoy nature studies? Do you have any tips or ideas to share with us? Please let us know in the comments!
We have just started really enjoying our nature studies because we found great resources on Nature Journaling, and my art-oriented children really love getting outside and working in their journals. Thanks for all the ideas listed here. I have several children of varying ages, and while my older kids are journaling, the younger kids can be exploring.