Nature Activities For Children

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Introducing a Child, to Nature

If a child is introduced to nature at a young age, over time, those early lessons can lead to an appreciation of nature, respect for nature, and just maybe a life long love of nature.
There are many activities available for teaching a child about the natural world around them, but some of the best lessons can be spontaneous. No matter how you choose to teach your child about nature, keeping it fun is very important.
You can include living things, weather, geology, or even astronomy. Once a child becomes aware that nature is all around them, they will probably begin to explore it a little on their own with a little encouragement.

Resources for helping a child learn about nature.

When introducing a child to nature, it is helpful to have a plan. These resources can help a lot with that.

Fun With Nature (Take Along Guides) by Mel Boring, Diane Burns, Leslie Dendy

Fun With Nature (Take Along Guides) by Mel Boring, Diane Burns, Leslie Dendy

Fun with Nature helps kids discover the incredible more...0 points

Nature/Walking (The Concord Library) by Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau

Nature/Walking (The Concord Library) by Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau

Together in one volume, Emerson's Nature and Thoreau's more...0 points

Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children From Nature-Deficit Disorder by Richard Louv

Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children From Nature-Deficit Disorder by Richard Louv

Richard Louv was the first to identify a phenomenon more...0 points

Sharing Nature with Children, 20th Anniversary Edition by Joseph Bharat Cornell

Sharing Nature with Children, 20th Anniversary Edition by Joseph Bharat Cornell

As Joseph Cornell's classic book reached its 20th more...0 points

Sharing Nature with Children II by Joseph Bharat Cornell

Sharing Nature with Children II by Joseph Bharat Cornell

This companion volume to Joseph Cornell's classic, more...0 points

Nurture by Nature: Understand Your Child's Personality Type - And Become a Better Parent by Barbara Barron-Tieger

Nurture by Nature: Understand Your Child's Personality Type - And Become a Better Parent by Barbara Barron-Tieger

Every parent knows that children, even babies, hav more...0 points

The Kids' Nature Book: 365 Indoor/Outdoor Activities and Experiences (Williamson Kids Can! Series) by Susan Milord

The Kids' Nature Book: 365 Indoor/Outdoor Activities and Experiences (Williamson Kids Can! Series) by Susan Milord

Shore to desert, country to city,exciting nature activities more...0 points

I Love Dirt!: 52 Activities to Help You and Your Kids Discover the Wonders of Nature by Jennifer Ward, Susie Ghahremani

I Love Dirt!: 52 Activities to Help You and Your Kids Discover the Wonders of Nature by Jennifer Ward, Susie Ghahremani

I Love Dirt! presents 52 open-ended activities to help more...0 points

Birds Nature Activity Book: Educational Games & Activities for Kids of All Ages (Children's Nature Activity Book) by James Kavanagh

Birds Nature Activity Book: Educational Games & Activities for Kids of All Ages (Children's Nature Activity Book) by James Kavanagh

Designed to complement the K-12 curriculum, this e more...0 points

Get Your Child an Ant Farm

When I was a boy, there used to be red ant mounds in the area we lived in. Sometimes the ant hills would be very large, containing hundreds, perhaps thousands of ants. They were the type that could bite and sting.
We would catch as many of them as we could, and put them in a jar full of sand, and watch them build tunnels. Of course an actual ant farm works much better, but I know from experience, that kids can find ants fascinating.

Uncle Milton Uncle Milton Giant Ant Farm

Uncle Milton Uncle Milton Giant Ant Farm

The largest viewing area of any Ant Farm® habitat more...0 points

Ant Farm

Ant Farm

Experience this fascinating timeless classic for the more...0 points

Uncle Milton Illuminated Ant Farm Gel Colony

Uncle Milton Illuminated Ant Farm Gel Colony

Watch ants build 3-D tunnels in nutrient-rich gel. more...0 points

Wild Science Ant-O-Sphere 8-Pods

Wild Science Ant-O-Sphere 8-Pods

Wild Science Ant-O-Sphere 8-Pods0 points

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Take a Walk

Father Walking with Child in the Park
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It may sound too simple, but a walk through the park, can lead to spontaneous lessons on nature. Just keep your eyes open, and be ready to take advantage of opportunities that present themselves. A leaf on the ground can lead to a discussion about how leaves sprout in the spring, and then fall off in the fall, and why this happens.
Listen for the call of birds, and teach your child what different birds sound like. Help them learn to identify common birds in your area.
Explain why a squirrel is carrying a nut. Does the squirrel have a nest in one of the trees? Point it out to your child. If there is an acorn on the ground, explain where it came from, and what happens if it sprouts the next spring, and that an oak tree will grow, and what an oak tree looks like.
It's important also, to learn when your child is receptive to learning, and when they just want to play. Pushing them to learn when they aren't in the mood can ruin the experience for both of you, so don't force the issue.

Teach them about the life cycle of a Butterfly.

The life cycle of a Butterfly can be fascinating for a child, and adults too.

The Life Cycles of Butterflies: From Egg to Maturity, a Visual Guide to 23 Common Garden Butterflies by Judy Burris, Wayne Richards

The Life Cycles of Butterflies: From Egg to Maturity, a Visual Guide to 23 Common Garden Butterflies by Judy Burris, Wayne Richards

For every person who has ever watched and marveled more...0 points

Butterfly Life Cycle Stages

Butterfly Life Cycle Stages

These meticulously designed Painted Lady lifecycle more...0 points

The Life Cycle of a Butterfly [With CD] by Bobbie Kalman

The Life Cycle of a Butterfly [With CD] by Bobbie Kalman

This title is suitable for ages 6 to 12 years. It more...0 points

Painted Lady Butterflies (Life Cycles) by Donna Schaffer

Painted Lady Butterflies (Life Cycles) by Donna Schaffer

Describes the physical characteristics, habits, and more...0 points

Insect Lore Live Butterfly Garden

Insect Lore Live Butterfly Garden

Witness one of nature's most spectacular transform more...0 points

Fascinations GreenEarth Butterfly Kit

Fascinations GreenEarth Butterfly Kit

Green Earth Butterfly Kit by Fascinations Watch and more...0 points

Insect Lore Butterfly Bungalow

Insect Lore Butterfly Bungalow

Insect Lore Mini Butterfly BungalowExperience the more...0 points

Go to the park and feed the ducks.

There are many parks that have ponds, and where there is a pond, and people, there will usually be ducks and geese. Feeding the ducks is a good way to get out of the house, and gives a child a chance to see ducks swim, fly, and eat. Make sure local laws allow it.
Most people feed bread to the ducks, but bread is actually not a good food source for them. A better alternative is cracked corn.

Learn About the Life Cycle of a Frog

This is another activity that I participated in when I was a child. It is still amazing to me how they start as a tadpole, and then change into something completely different, when they become a frog.

Uncle Milton Uncle Milton Planet Frog

Uncle Milton Uncle Milton Planet Frog

Welcome to Planet Frog, a magical place where children more...0 points

From Tadpole to Frog (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science 1) by Wendy Pfeffer

From Tadpole to Frog (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science 1) by Wendy Pfeffer

Wendy Pfeffer describes the amazing metamorphosis from more...0 points

From Tadpole to Frog (Lifecycles) by Gerald Legg, David Stewart

From Tadpole to Frog (Lifecycles) by Gerald Legg, David Stewart

Large illustrations and simple text present the li more...0 points

Kit, Grow-A-Frog

Kit, Grow-A-Frog

Grow-A-Frog - Appropriate for Grades K+ -- Glass-l more...0 points

Three Rivers Amphibian Grow-A-Frog Kit

Three Rivers Amphibian Grow-A-Frog Kit

Visualize metamorphosis with this amazing kit; Inc more...0 points

Learning Resources Giant Magnetic Frog Life Cycle

Learning Resources Giant Magnetic Frog Life Cycle

Giant Magnetic Frog Life Cycle;Realistically detai more...0 points

Guestbook Comments

  • ItayasDesigns Apr 19, 2012 @ 1:24 pm | delete
    Great article! I plan on spending lots of time with my little grandson exploring nature. :)
  • veryirie Apr 4, 2012 @ 8:18 pm | delete
    Taking a walk and showing your own appreciation of nature and living creatures and insects is something priceless to share with a child. Wonderful page!
  • goo2eyes Nov 27, 2011 @ 2:03 pm | delete
    the child should be trained to love nature hoping she or he has no allergic reactions to some flowers, plants or feathers.
  • DebonaireExoticAnimalEncounters Nov 1, 2011 @ 3:59 pm | delete
    So very true !!!. We have always been interested in nature and the children from being very young were shon animals and plants. Now we go for a walk and its who spots things first. All the children are naturals at spottinng wild animals that can be easily missed.
    Excellent Lens
  • anilsaini Oct 22, 2011 @ 12:31 am | delete
    Very nice thoughts.
  • AnthonyAltorenna Sep 6, 2011 @ 9:14 pm | delete
    My kids grew up in a rural area surrounded by woodlands and wildlife, and each has a real appreciation for Mother Nature.
  • sponias Aug 26, 2011 @ 4:30 pm | delete
    Children really need a contact with nature. This is very important for their emotional health. It was a good idea to create a lens reminding this importance to young parents.
  • A-Redneck Aug 12, 2011 @ 10:46 am | delete
    You are so very right. I see quite a few parents without an appreciation for nature or their pets passing these messages onto thier children. I wish the opposite were true and a little different message could be sent...
  • VickiSims Jul 31, 2011 @ 8:48 am | delete
    Since many children don't play outside all day and watch wildlife like many of us older folks did when we were young, It is so important for someone to show them about nature so they can learn to appreciate and enjoy it. Great ideas for parents and grandparents who want to teach children about nature and the outdoors.

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