There are lots of fun and creative ways to get kids outdoors and foster a love of nature! An appreciation of nature is fundamental to encouraging kids to conserve and preserve our planet’s natural resources. If you’re looking for some fun ways to spend time outdoors together, we’ve got you covered! Here are five of our favorites:
1) Explore your local parks.
Check out your city or town’s website for a list of local parks and nature trails. Let your kids pick one to explore each week!
“We love visiting our local parks! They’re such a great way to get some fresh air exercise.”
Jessica, mom of two
If you live in a rural area, there are likely plenty of hidden gems waiting to be explored right in your own backyard! Get out the maps and let your kids plan an adventure. You might be surprised at what you find!
“My kids love planning ‘treasure hunts’ around our property. It’s a great way to get them excited about exploring the outdoors!”
Sarah, mom of three
Don’t forget to pack some snacks and drinks, sunscreen, hats, and insect repellent. And don’t forget the camera to document your adventures!
“My kids love to take photos of all the animals and plants we see on our nature walks. They love looking back at them later and trying to identify everything.”
Emily, mom of two
If you have younger children, you might want to consider bringing along a baby carrier or stroller for little ones who get tired easily.
2) Start a garden together.
Gardening is a great way to teach kids about where food comes from, and it’s a fun way to get some exercise and fresh air. Gardening can be a very effective way to foster a love of nature.
“My kids love helping me in the garden! They love getting their hands dirty and seeing all the different vegetables and fruits growing.”
Maria, mom of two
If you don’t have a lot of space, you can start with a few pots on your porch or balcony. Herbs are easy to grow and make a great addition to any meal. You can also plant flowers for some color!
3) Go bird watching.
Bird watching is a great way to get kids interested in nature. It’s also a great opportunity to teach them about different types of birds and their habitats.
“My kids love going bird watching with me! They love using the binoculars and trying to identify all the different birds.”
John, dad of two
If you don’t have binoculars, you can usually find them at your local library or sporting goods store. You might also want to bring along a field guide to help with identification.
“We love looking for birds when we’re out on walks or hikes. It’s a great way to explore our surroundings and learn about the different animals that live there.”
Kate, mom of three
Don’t forget to bring along a notebook and pencil so your kids can record what they see!
“My kids love keeping a bird-watching journal. They love looking back through it and seeing all the different birds we’ve seen.”
Jennifer, mom of two
You might want to check out my bird-watching journal here! Inside you’ll find space to:
- Record 40+ bird-sighting adventures!
- Cultivate a love of nature and wildlife.
- Track and plan your favorite locations for watching birds.
- Sketch and color your own bird and nature drawings.
- Note details such as weather conditions, interesting events, bird descriptions, habitat, and more!
4) Create a field notes journal.
A field notes journal is a great way for kids to document their adventures outdoors.
“My kids love using their field notes journals to record all the different animals and plants they see on our nature walks.”
Rachel, mom of two
Field notes journals are easy to make – all you need is a notebook and some pencils or crayons. You can find templates online or in stores that sell stationery.
Don’t forget to date each entry so you can look back and see how your children’s observation skills have grown over time!
5) Watch a nature documentary together.
Watching a nature documentary is a great way to learn about different ecosystems and the animals that live there. There are many great nature documentaries available on Netflix or other streaming services. You can also find them at your local library or bookstore.
Don’t forget to discuss what you’ve watched afterward so your kids can ask questions and share what they’ve learned!
By tapping into your children’s natural curiosity about the world around them, you can help foster a love of nature that will last a lifetime!
Happy adventuring! 🙂
More Ways to Foster a Love of Nature:
- Free Printable Garden Journal Pages – These printable garden journal planner pages can be a great resource for planting this Spring and Summer! You’ll find template .pdf files for the journal cover, catalog wishlist, seed starting, and even a page for photos and drawings. Put the pages together into a binder, and the kids can help keep records of your garden this year. Use what you learn to help plan for an even better garden next year!
- DIY Outdoor Toys to Get Kids Moving – These DIY Outdoor Toys to get kids moving are perfect for the last few days of Summer or anytime you are looking for active outdoor play ideas. The best part is that they are made using common household items you probably already have on hand!
- Outdoor Color Match Activity – This outdoor color match activity is a great way to introduce kids to different color hues and values while learning more about nature! The setup is super quick and easy, so you can enjoy the outdoors at a moment’s notice.
- Outdoor Rainy Day Fun for Kids – Boat races, build a shelter, paint with mud, and more fun ideas from Run Wild My Child.
