Nature Journals-Ideas and Tips
Ranked #313 in Education, #8,288 overall
Tips for Simple Nature Journal Entries
Wondering how to start a nature journal?
Nature journals are as personal as each of us....unique and individual. There are no right or wrong ways to keep a nature journal. The main point of a nature journal is to keep a personal account of your experiences outdoors whether you sketch or write about it. I always encourage new journalists to keep it simple. I will be showing examples of how we create lasting memories in our journals using a few simple tricks.
Page by page you can build a record of your outdoor experiences that will bring you pleasure and serve as a scrapbook of your adventures whether they are in your own backyard or far from home.
Nature journals are as personal as each of us....unique and individual. There are no right or wrong ways to keep a nature journal. The main point of a nature journal is to keep a personal account of your experiences outdoors whether you sketch or write about it. I always encourage new journalists to keep it simple. I will be showing examples of how we create lasting memories in our journals using a few simple tricks.
Page by page you can build a record of your outdoor experiences that will bring you pleasure and serve as a scrapbook of your adventures whether they are in your own backyard or far from home.
Great Journal Entries are Simple to Achieve
I find with my family that providing a variety of examples for journal entries is the best way to inspire them. We vary our art supplies as a way to add depth and texture to our journals."Simply put, nature journaling is the regular recording of observations, perceptions, and feelings about the natural world around you. That is the essence of the process. The recording can be done in a wide variety of ways, depending on the individual journalist's interests, background, and training. Some people prefer to record in written prose or poetry, some do it through drawing or painting, others with photographs or tape recordings, and still others through musical notation.....Many people use a combination of these techniques."
Claire Walker Leslie, Keeping a Nature Journal
My Formula For a Simple Nature Journal
A sketch, a label, and a date are the basis of a great nature journal entry.
Journal Supply Suggestions
We use both a spiral bound sketch book in a smaller size and a binder for our nature journal collections.
When the children were younger they exclusively used spiral bound journals because they were easier to take along with us when we did our sketching. We used No. 2 pencils and colored pencils pretty much for all the entries.
Now that they are older, they do more thorough research on certain topics and since we became a family that uses notebook pages, they started a 3-ring binder that holds their larger work.
The best advice I have for someone starting with younger children would be to start off with a small spiral bound journal because they are less intimidating. If you have an older child you could choose one or the other method of keeping your nature journal...ask them what they prefer.
There is no one perfect way to keep a nature journal...that is unless you never start. :)
When the children were younger they exclusively used spiral bound journals because they were easier to take along with us when we did our sketching. We used No. 2 pencils and colored pencils pretty much for all the entries.
Now that they are older, they do more thorough research on certain topics and since we became a family that uses notebook pages, they started a 3-ring binder that holds their larger work.
The best advice I have for someone starting with younger children would be to start off with a small spiral bound journal because they are less intimidating. If you have an older child you could choose one or the other method of keeping your nature journal...ask them what they prefer.
There is no one perfect way to keep a nature journal...that is unless you never start. :)
Watercolors and a Photo
Get creative and don't spend a lot of time.
I love to sketch but sometimes it is nice to have a photo as well. We will add a photo on the opposite page and make it part of the entry. Easy!
Join My Nature Journal Groups on Flickr!
I have two nature journal groups for sharing nature journal examples on Flickr. All are welcome to view the images and to join if you have some to contribute.
- Nature Journal Group-Ages 8 and Under
- Images shared from many different families. Check out the variety!
- Nature Journal Group-Ages 9 and Up (Including Adults)
- Images shared by many different families....including some examples from adults.
Your Child's First Nature Journal
Ideas for Getting Started
Spend 15 minutes outdoors with your children, following their interests as they explore your own backyard. Try to spend 2-3 minutes listening to the sounds of your own world. After you return inside, ask your children to:**One word to describe something the heard.
**Two words for something they saw.
**Three words for something the felt.
The idea is for you to write down this simple nature journal caption for their journal. Each time you take a nature walk your children will start to develop more and more vocabulary and this will eventually trickle down to their nature journals.
They can then add a simple sketch or rubbing to complete their journal entry.
Include A Photo for a Quick Journal Entry
Include a Leaf Rubbing as Well as a Sketch
If you make a page for your nature journal each time you have nature study, you will soon have a whole journal filled with your child's own words and drawings in a short period of time.
Use a Premade Notebook Page
Sketch a Diagram or Use Comparisons
Take Your Journal When You Travel
Koi Water Color Pocket Field Sketch Box
Watercolors to Take on a Nature Hike
Sakura Assorted Koi Water Colors Pocket Field Sketch Box, 12
Amazon Price: $15.61 (as of 06/03/2012)
This compact set of vibrant watercolors is now going to go into my daypack for easy access to gorgeous color. The set has a brush that holds a reservoir of water and a cap for carrying. This is a great set to have for doing field sketches with color. I highly recommend it!
Using Watercolors and Writing
Fill In With Text
We often sketch a subject and then fill with lots of text. Facts, thoughts, observations...whatever is interesting at the time. This page was done with watercolors and a Prismacolor marker
Resources for Nature Journals
- Cornell University Feeder Birds Coloring Book
- Much more than a coloring book, this is really a field guide you can print out and color for your nature notebook. We love using these as pages in our journal and they give a good idea of how to draw the bird simply for your own page.
- Claire Walker Leslie's Free Guide to Drawing Trees
- This pdf is one that you will want to print out and save for reference. We use this great resource all the time for our tree study nature journal pages.
- Celebrating Wildflowers Coloring Book
- This is another great source for nature notebooks. If you are not confident about drawing in your journal, you can print and use these wildflower pages suitable for even the most sophisticated journaler.
- How to Draw Flowers and Plants
- We like these simple tutorials to get us started in our nature journals.
- There's Fun in Fungi
- This link will take you to a pdf to learn more about mushrooms and I especially like page 5 with its diagram of a mushroom and its parts. Print this page out for your nature journal.
- Draw a Butterfly Like a Scientist
- I really like this page and the way it shows how to draw a butterfly like a scientist in your nature journal.
- Wildlife Coloring Book
- I know this coloring book is officially for New Jersey but there are many, many common birds and animals that you may have in your own area. Check it out for future reference.
- Wetlands Coloring Book
- This is another coloring book that you can use as the basis for some great nature journal pages.
- Wildlife of New Mexico
- Don't be shy about checking this coloring book out as well. It has amazing blackline drawings that are a wonderful addition to your nature journal.
Books with Ideas for Nature Journals
Looking for a simple nature study plan?
You may be interested taking a look at my nature study ebooks with simple to implement nature study ideas close to home.
- Getting Started With the Outdoor Hour Challenge
- Nature study plans with a complete set of nature journal pages.
- Autumn Nature Study Ebook
- Ideas for simple autumn nature study in your own neighborhood.
- Winter Nature Study Ebook
- Winter themed nature study with notebook pages and journal suggestions.
- Spring Nature Study Ebook
- Complete plans for nature study in spring including links and notebook pages.
- Summer Nature Study Ebook
- This ebook is packed with lots of summer related nature study ideas.
Video: How to Make Pressed Flowers
Pressed Flowers Can Go Into Your Nature Journal
I made this short video showing how to make a simple flower press out of cardboard, paper, and rubber bands.
curated content from YouTube
Video: How to Make a Leaf Rubbing
Include Leaf Rubbings for Your Nature Journal
Video: Tips for Drawing Leaves in Your Nature Journal
My Video Tutorial
curated content from YouTube
More Information about Nature Journals
Nature Journal Goodies
About Me
I love to hear your comments!
-
-
StrongMay
May 17, 2012 @ 12:38 am | delete
- Great idea!
-
-
-
waldenthree.net
Mar 4, 2012 @ 9:42 am | delete
- Classic book, "Walden" is a nature journal that still inspires. Congrads on your Squidoo Trophy. Conversations helps explore new ideas. Thanks.
-
-
-
jercow75
Feb 26, 2012 @ 10:11 pm | delete
- I will try this with my kids. We love to get outdoors. This seems like a wonderful way to make it a more meaningful experience. Great lens.
-
-
-
mihgasper
Feb 25, 2012 @ 1:00 pm | delete
- Nature journals are great combination of fun and education. Thumbs up!
-
-
-
bjslapidary
Jan 16, 2012 @ 10:20 am | delete
- Great lens. Gives me encouragement to do journals. It's something that I want to do, but seem to have a hangup with. Thanks for sharing.
-
- Load More
Outdoor Hour Challenge on Facebook
Facebook Fan box widget may not always appear in the Workshop. Please preview or publish your lens to see the widget.
by HarmonyArtMom
Mom of four, fourteen years of homeschooling, passionate about art, music, and nature study. See Harmony Fine Arts and my Squidoo Bio for more about me... more »
- 47 featured lenses
- Winner of 20 trophies!
- Top lens » Nature Journals-Ideas and Tips
- This lens »
Won purple star
Feeling creative?
Create a Lens!
Explore related pages
- Drawing With Children: Nature Journal Style with Printable Lesson Plans Drawing With Children: Nature Journal Style with Printable Lesson Plans
- Art Supplies for Kids Art Supplies for Kids
- Best Magnifying Lens Plans and Activities Best Magnifying Lens Plans and Activities
- Autumn Nature Study for Children and Families Autumn Nature Study for Children and Families
- Handbook of Nature Study Handbook of Nature Study
- Spring Nature Study Ideas Spring Nature Study Ideas
Great Starting Point for Nature Journals
My Nature Journal: A Personal Nature Guide for Young People
Amazon Price: $13.34 (as of 06/03/2012)
This multi-subject nature study book is a great starting point for many young journalers.
Amazon Spotlight
Handbook of Nature Study
Amazon Price: $16.59 (as of 06/03/2012)
We use this book every week as part of our nature study. See my blog for more on how we use this for simple weekly nature study sessions.
What More Information on Nature Study?
Check out my nature study blog!
