Over 2016 I was amazed at how much we learned about nature just through regular outdoor play and exploration! I have never really planned nature study for us other than the occasional nature prompt and yet my son’s nature knowledge is astounding! It helps that he is really into nature. But there are some easy ways you can help kids learn about nature naturally!
5 Easy Ways for Kids to Learn about Nature
Get Outside Everyday
We head outside for about an hour most days, sometimes more, sometimes less depending on our moods and the weather.
We don’t have a specific time for outdoor play and adventures, we head out when we feel like we need some fresh air. Sometimes it’s early in the morning, or late in the day during the summer months. At this time of year we usually get outside for an hour before lunch.
While we are outside playing or exploring we usually stumble across something interesting, whether it’s an insect, animal tracks, a plant or fungi. While my son plays, I try to be on the lookout for interesting finds and then show it to my son. Sometimes he find something to show me too!
Be Prepared to Learn with a Nature Exploration Kit
When hiking or on a nature walk, it’s a good idea to bring along a well packed Nature Exploration Kit. The supplies you bring along can really come in handy when you find something you are curious about or something you want to bring home to study!
Get Some Good Field Guides
Sometimes when we find something interesting outside, we like to identify it. We look it up in a field guide or search online. You can also download field guide apps for your smart phone for on-the-go identifying.
We learn a lot more than the names of our finds from field guides. You can learn all about animals, plants & insects from field guides!
Here are some great field guide to add to your home library!
Create a Nature Table
Another way to learn about nature naturally is to create a Nature Table. We all know kids love collecting bits of nature, so why not create a place for them to display their finds?!
We’ve used a TV tray for a small, temporary nature table. These are great for displaying nature in a small, multipurpose space. We usually leave our’s up for months, but put it away or move it for family gatherings, holidays or times of decluttering.
Set up a Mini Ecosystem for Nature Observation
One last way to encourage kids to learn about nature is to set up a mini ecosystem or a critter keeper (affiliate link) for observing small creatures. We created this one over a year ago and have used to observe a small snake, toads, frogs and a number of insects and spiders. It has been a great way to safely observe all those living animals my son catches!
I hope this gives you some ideas of how you can easily teach your children about nature by just getting outdoors to play! Follow along on our nature adventures on Instagram and check back here often for more ideas for learning about nature!
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