We’ve been doing more family nature studies lately, and it’s turned into one of my favorite parts of homeschooling. It’s relaxed, it’s hands-on, and somehow every age finds something to enjoy.
We use mixed-media notebooks for our nature studies, which means the kids can draw, paint, glue, or write all in one place. I grabbed ours on Amazon and they’ve held up great through Florida humidity, toddler art experiments, and the occasional spilled snack.
Whether your family has been doing nature study for years or you’re just getting started, here are some ideas to make it meaningful and fun for everyone.
Setting Up a Family Nature Study
Start small. You don’t need a fancy curriculum or a perfectly planned theme. Choose one topic a week…maybe trees, bugs, or flowers…and head outside with your notebooks.
We usually bring a simple basket with:
- Notebooks and pencils
- Watercolor set and paintbrushes
- A magnifying glass or small binoculars
- Glue sticks and scissors
- Ziplock baggies for collecting leaves or petals
🛒 You can find kid-friendly watercolor sets, field magnifiers, and art supplies here on my Amazon Storefront.
The goal isn’t perfection… it’s just noticing. Let your kids collect, sketch, and ask questions. You’ll be surprised at how much they observe when they’re the ones leading the exploration.
Nature Notebook Ideas for Every Age
For Toddlers & Preschoolers
- Leaf rubbings with crayons
- Finger painting nature scenes
- Gluing small leaves or flowers into their notebook
- Using stickers to “illustrate” what they found outside
🛒 Check out this list I created on Amazon with toddler friendly nature study items
For Elementary Kids
- Drawing and labeling plants or bugs
- Copying a short poem about nature
- Recording weather, date, and location
- Creating simple watercolor backgrounds before drawing
🛒 Here are some items if you can add to your nature basket for this age group.
For Middle Schoolers
- Sketching detailed plant or insect studies
- Writing short research notes or observations
- Painting watercolor landscapes
- Creating nature-inspired poetry or journaling reflections
🛒 The older your child gets the more they can add to their journals, here are some age appropriate finds for middle and even high school.
Nature Study Themes to Explore
If you’re not sure where to start, try one of these easy weekly themes:
- Birds in your backyard
- Leaves changing color
- Clouds and weather
- Seeds and sprouts
- Bees and butterflies
- Shells and shore finds
- Tree bark textures
- Rocks and minerals
- Mushrooms and moss
- Animal tracks
Keep it simple…one theme can spark a week’s worth of creativity and curiosity.
Fun Add-On Activities
If your kids want to take their nature study further, try adding one of these:
- Create a nature table at home where everyone can display their finds.
- Make a mini field guide using notebook sketches.
- Add a short Bible verse or gratitude list inspired by what you saw.
- Have a painting afternoon outside while listening to music or an audiobook.
A Family Memory Keeper
Nature study has become more than just a school activity for us…it’s a memory keeper. Every page in those notebooks tells a story: the day my toddler tried to glue a pinecone, or when my oldest drew a bird we couldn’t identify for a week.
It’s not about creating perfect pages; it’s about seeing the world together.
So grab your notebooks, head outside, and start your own family nature study tradition!
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