We have six nature walk activities for kids to do while out walking, hiking, or even just exploring the backyard. And 6 more nature ideas for kids to do when they get back home!
So, you’re heading out on a nature walk with the kids and you want some ideas for adding a little extra fun, interaction, or education to the experience?
Here are 6 activities you can do with kids during the nature walk. And another 6 that you can do with kids after arriving back home.
6 Nature Walk Activities for Kids (to do during the walk)
These ideas include ways to learn about, explore, and engage with the natural world around you, including a scavenger hunt, sound hunt, “I spy” game, and more.
By the way, I’m not suggesting you have to do all of these activities. Pick one of the nature walk activities that interests you and the kids for this walk and save the others for future walks.
1. Go on a nature scavenger hunt (FREE Printable!).
A nature scavenger hunt gets kids outside to learn, have fun, and observe the nature world.
Download and print our free nature scavenger hunt printable to take it with you on your next nature walk. You can look for the items on it as a family or individually.
More nature scavenger hunt ideas:
- Create your own nature scavenger hunt specifically for your area (desert, tropical beach, prairie) or season (spring, summer, fall, winter).
- Do a color matching scavenger hunt. Bring paint chips and find nature items to match them.
- Wing it and say something like, “how many kinds of flowers can you find?”
2. Take binoculars or a magnifying glass on a walk
Bring binoculars and a pocket bird guide and see what birds you can find. Or bring a magnifying glass or loupe and look at small things (insects, seedheads, flowers, etc) up close.
3. Play “I Spy”, describing the nature around you.
Kids love games! Add some excitement to your nature walk by taking turns playing “I spy…”.
“I spy with my little eye, something that is blue”
(or fluffy, green, round, wet, has six legs, rhymes with free, etc).
4. Bring paper and a peeled crayon to do bark rubbings.
This is a fun art activity to try on the go! Kids can create bark rubbings with paper & crayons or oil pastels. Take it a step further and look up each tree then label the bark rubbings.
5. Go on a sound hunt
Do you have a child who loves to make noise? Consider going on a sound hunt! Helping kids learn how to listen with intent and experiment with their own sound making is really engaging for all ages.
6. Gather nature materials
Gather nature treasures such as flowers, leaves, seedpods, feathers, rocks, etc to use in one of the following activities. Find items in all the colors of the rainbow if you want to do the “mix and paint a rainbow” activity below.
6 Activities to do with Kids After a Nature Walk
1. Make a nature suncatcher
One of our favorite suncatchers to create is the paper plate flower suncatcher using contact paper, flower petals and leaves.
Take it a step further and create a magical 3D nature suncatcher! Cut out windows in a box, cover with contact paper, then press the flower petals and leaves to the sticky plastic. Kids will love this project!
2. Set up a seasonal nature table.
Gather flowers, plant cuttings, sticks, pinecones, feathers, rocks, and the like! Arrange in baskets at a kids table with magnifying glass and nature guides for further exploration.
Or combine with play silks, figurines, and toys to create a seasonal play scene.
3. Mix and paint a rainbow.
First, mix your own paint colors to match the nature items that you found. Then paint a picture with them. You can combine this activity with observational drawing (below) and paint your versions of the items you found.
Or use your newly mixed colors to make an actual rainbow! Or to create any artwork you like, abstract or realistic.
4. Make a Nature Diorama
Gather nature items such as pinecones, leaves, and seed pods on your nature walk. Then paint and assemble these materials into a small box in this simple nature diorama project for kids.
5. Make a nature mobile with found materials and DIY beads.
Gather natural materials to use for this beautiful nature mobile. Paint some air dry clay beads and string materials together to create a nature mobile for kids.
6. Do some observational drawing with your nature treasures
Kids can draw their nature treasures using oil pastels & chalk pastels, crayons, colored pencils, markers or tempera paint sticks. This is a simple drawing invitation that builds drawing skills through observing color, patterns, lines, etc!
You can also create special little shadow boxes, combining observational drawing with the real nature items, such as with this Feather Art in a Box.
7. Make clay nature prints
Press leaves or flowers into air dry clay to make nature prints. Poke holes in the clay and let dry. The hang as ornaments or pendants! Or glue magnets onto the backs for use on the fridge.
MORE EARTH DAY ART IDEAS FOR KIDS
- Celebrate Earth Day with 30 Nature & Recycled Art Projects for Kids
- Create These Beautiful Flower Flags With Flower Pounding for Kids
- 5 Nature Based Art Ideas for Kids
- 5 Nature Based Play Ideas for Kids
- How to Make DIY Kids Costumes with Recycled Materials
How about you? Do you have any more nature walk activities for kids to add to this list?
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