In today’s digital age, it’s more important than ever to encourage kids to connect with nature. Spending time with your kids outdoors fosters a sense of wonder and curiosity about the world. Additionally, creating a backyard nature area is a wonderful way to inspire kids to engage with the natural environment right at home. In […]
Foster a Love of Nature in Your Kids
May 2, 2022 by
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 […]
Nature Study Dos and Don’ts
November 25, 2018 by
A nature study does not have to be challenging or difficult. Read below for all the tips and tricks I use for designing a nature study in an authentic way with my sweet, spirited, and LOUD little boys! DON’T – Get Frustrated I had spent the morning preparing my boys, just turned 7 and almost […]
Nature Crafts and Activities for Fall
October 20, 2017 by
These nature crafts and activities for Fall are perfect for anytime you are looking for active outdoor play ideas this season! The best part is that they are made using common household items you probably already have on-hand. Since most of these crafts and activities are quick to make, you will have plenty of time […]
Fall Treasure Hunt Printable
October 7, 2015 by
Going on a Fall Treasure Hunt is a great way to enjoy quality time outdoors while observing the beauty of the season. A few years ago, I started to take my kids on these adventures and it has become a favorite family tradition ever since! Every year when the leaves start to change colors, we […]
Botanical Sun Catchers
August 6, 2015 by
These botanical sun catchers look beautiful when displayed in a sunny window! This was a super quick craft, and took about 10 minutes to complete from start to finish. It is the perfect craft if the kids are looking for a little something to do during these last few days of Summer vacation, or for […]
Birds in Winter
January 13, 2014 by
Last weekend, our region experienced extreme sub-zero temperatures. While outside watching bubbles freeze, my youngest son noticed a fluffy bird shivering on our neighbor’s air conditioner. “Mommy,” he began, “I feel so bad for that little bird! It must be cold!” His empathy and curiosity led him to a series of excellent questions: How do […]
Exploring Nature with a Camera
September 30, 2013 by
The natural world is something that interests our entire family, so this year we are devoting more time to nature study. At first, nature study can seem a bit overwhelming. As adults, we feel the need to know everything as we set out. We often worry about being able to answer all of the many […]
Beach Keepsake Craft
July 24, 2013 by
One of our favorite places to go for vacation is the beach. It’s so relaxing and enjoyable, yet at the same time, the kids love to explore, build, and discover on the shoreline. This summer, I decided to use this opportunity to create a beach keepsake using their discoveries. The supplies you need are quite […]
Around the Web: Exploring Nature with Kids
July 7, 2013 by
This week we’ve shared a fun fossil finding activity at a creek and five tips for exploring nature with kids, but we don’t want the sharing to end there! We’ve gathered 10 inspiring posts from around the web that are sure to get your kids playing and learning outside. 1. Make a nature study kit […]
5 Tips for Exploring Nature with Kids
July 6, 2013 by
It’s important for children to be encouraged to connect with nature, but what if you are a little timid when it comes to exploring the outdoors? Whether you identify yourself as an “indoors” person or you just don’t know where to start, here are a few things you can do to make the transition a […]
Fossil Hunting at the Creek
July 5, 2013 by
Summer is hot and the water in the creek is cold! We had fun cooling our toes while hunting for fossils! The rocks in the creek we visited were predominantly shale and limestone. Mixed into the bunch were some incredible fossils! I explained to the boys that fossils were impressions of the remains of creatures […]
Exploring Nature with Books
June 12, 2013 by
The best part about summer for me is getting outside with my children! I love watching their eyes light up when they pop a wild berry into their mouths or find a snail along a forest trail. We spend hours and hours outside each day, sometimes doing more formal learning such as species identification and […]
How to Create a Wildlife-Friendly Backyard
May 23, 2013 by
Kids love to look at and examine animals. But we don’t always have a backyard that encourages animals to come to us. So, how can you promote animals in your backyard? First you have to know what kind of animals you are wanting to attract. Are you wanting a variety of birds? What about insects? […]
Becoming a Chicken Mama
May 8, 2013 by
Raising baby chickens is a rewarding task that leaves us with entertainment, wonderful learning opportunities, and of course, amazing eggs. If you have ever thought about raising your own chickens for eggs now is the time to consider giving your children the rare experience of having their very own backyard flock! My daughter is […]
Insect Lab Nature Investigation
May 1, 2013 by
Spring brings flowers, warm air, green grass . . . and insects. Many, many insects! Due to mild weather and their natural instinct to hunt for food after winter hibernation, insects are abundant in the spring. Many spring insects are young; they have recently hatched out of an egg case or matured from pupae to […]
Planting a Three Sisters Garden
April 16, 2013 by
Short on space but still want a garden? Try planting a Three Sisters Garden with your kids this year! With a few modifications this Native American technique can even be adapted to grow in a pot and you can enjoy all the benefits of these plants that help each other grow in even the smallest […]
Around the Web: Birds
March 3, 2013 by
This week we shared a fun and creative way to make hanging shape bird feeders as well as the benefits of letting your child use real tools to build a bird feeder. But we don’t want to stop there! Here are even more inspiring links about birds. 1. Go on a frugal field trip and […]
