This post may contain affiliate links. We may earn money from products we link to in this post.

Nature journaling is a fantastic way to connect kids with the great outdoors. It allows them to use all their senses while taking in nature! They can get hyper-focused on what is around them. Between creating the nature journal, writing in it, and doing art, they are a delight to hold on to for years to come! 

Here’s a complete guide to starting and maintaining a nature journal with kids!

This site contains affiliate links to products. I may receive a commission for purchases made through these links at no extra cost to you.

What is the Purpose of a Nature Journal

The great outdoors can sometimes be taken for granted, but if you stop to take it all in, there is some pretty incredible stuff! Many benefits come from nature journaling. Here are a few….

Nature journaling can increase observation skills. To accurately depict something they see in nature, children will observe how it looks, feels, and smells. They will notice how it looks, feels, and smells. What color? 

Many times during exploration, kids will come up with great questions. Why did something get its name? How many species of a specific plant or animal are there? These are great questions for children to write down in their journals and research! It is an excellent opportunity to expand your child’s education and vocabulary. 

Journaling supports learning skills! Writing, drawing, analytics, and fine motor skills are all used when creating pages in a nature journal. This keeps learning exciting, and often kids don’t even notice all they are learning because it feels more like play and exploration.

Nature Journaling supports fine motor development. Cutting, writing, gluing, etc are all great to enhance a child’s fine motor skills.

And lastly, it allows children to connect themselves with the world. Notice how they are a part of mother nature and that caring for our planet will help it survive!

How to get started

There are a few different ways to get started with a nature journal. You may choose to purchase a journal from websites such as Amazon or by googling ‘Nature Journal’, or you may decide it is the perfect craft project (my personal favorite). 

Creating Your Own Nature Journal

If you choose to make your own, here are instructions for a great simple one! 

Materials Needed:

• Thin cardboard for the cover
• Printer Paper or thick card stock for the inside pages (thick card stock is an excellent option if your child plans to use markers or watercolor paint)
• Hole Punch
• String, twine, notebook rings
• Stamps, crayons, markers, pencils, dried flowers, nature stickers, etc., for decorating 

Instructions:

1. Cut the cardboard to 12” x 9” to act as the cover of your journal, and cover it with paper for the child to design/decorate their journal.
2. Fold the card stock or printer papers in half landscape direction.
3. Place card stock or printer paper inside the cardboard cover.
4. Hole punch the folded side of your journal.
5. Bind with string, twine, or notebook rings. 
6. Have the child decorate the front of their nature journal with their name, some stamps, stickers, etc. 

Some fun add-ons for your journal are:

• Stapling snack-size zip locks inside for children to collect items in. 
• Add some lined paper for older kids to write about what they saw. 

---

How to Use the Nature Journal

Once their journal is complete, it’s time to take it outside! They are great to have on hand whether you are going for a walk around the neighborhood, visiting your local park, or going for a hike. Next, let’s dive in to use of the journal. 

With a vast amount of things to see and do in nature, we often miss so many hidden gems. 

I highly recommend bringing your art supplies and nature journal with you outdoors for a slower time in nature. Allow children to collect samples of plants, draw pictures of their surroundings, or jot down notes for a bullet-style journal. By having all your materials with you, you will notice your child adding much more details.

If you choose to leave the nature journal at home, make sure to take pictures and talk about what you see. Then immediately after getting home, pull out the photos and have the children document what they saw and learned. This is an excellent option if the child prefers watercolors for their journal. 

When journaling is complete, spend some time talking about their art or writing! Asking questions and letting them explain what is in their images or what information they wrote down are great ways to ensure comprehension or to dive further into the topic. 

Here are some of my favorite questions to ask:

1. What is your favorite part of your art? 
2. What did you find most interesting during our exploration today?
3. Ask about each of their senses:
   1. What did it smell like? 
   2. How did the plants feel? 
   3. What sound did the animals make, or what else did they hear (wind, water, etc.)
   4. What colors did they see while out exploring?  
4. What environment would you like to visit next? 

You can create multiple nature journals to keep them organized by topics. Some families choose to have a nature journal for water areas, a bird journal, and more. Other families may choose to combine everything in one. Do whatever is best for you! 

Lastly, as a parent, I encourage you to have a nature journal! This is such a great bonding activity! Children also love seeing their parents do activities with them vs. just being told what to do. Nature is incredible for everyone’s mental well-being, so take the time to tune in to your senses and journal too!