The Most Important Mission: To Raise Kids Who Love Nature
Exploring the great outdoors isn't just for grown-ups with cool hiking boots – it's a wild, fantastic adventure tailor-made for kids and their boundless energy!
As a mom of two beautiful kids, it's been my goal to raise nature-loving kids from Day 1. I hope to instill in them an imagination that is wide and fun! For them to imagine a world where every tree is a potential hideaway, and every rock is a hidden treasure waiting to be discovered. Nature is magical and the best playground for our pint-sized pals.
First off, Mother Nature is the ultimate entertainer. From chirping birds to dancing butterflies, there's a whole show happening just beyond the back door. It's like a never-ending parade of furry and feathery friends, each with its own quirky talents.
But it's not just about the entertainment – it's about the life lessons, too. Nature is the best teacher, offering lessons in teamwork (ever seen a bunch of ants carrying crumbs?), patience (waiting for that butterfly to finally land on your finger), and creativity (building a stick fort worthy of a woodland king).
Most importantly, loving nature sets the stage for a lifelong love affair with our precious planet. When kids feel the grass between their toes and the wind in their hair, they're not just having a blast – they're becoming Earth's biggest fans. And let's face it, a planet full of nature-loving kiddos is a planet with a bright, green future!
Try these 30 FREE Activities today!
Helping our kids build a life-long love and appreciation for nature doesn't have to break the bank. It doesn't even take a tremendous amount of time! These are some of the simplest, lowest cost ways to raise a kid who loves nature. They are fun, creative, and limitless!
I'd argue that even the adults will have fun! Adventure and read on, Nature Lovers!
Idea #1 - Have a picnic outside.
Kids LOVE to eat. And they LOVE to go on adventures! Picnics are a great way to combine their two great loves on a mini adventure. Consider teaching a "pack it in, pack it out" mentality and not simply use all disposable plates and materials. This is a great opportunity to show kids that it's possible to do many of the things we love, just in the great outdoors.
Idea #2 - Outdoor Camping.
Whether it's on your patio, in your grassy yard, or away from the bustle of home and in the forest or desert, camping is a great way to raise a kid who loves nature. It can be as simple as pitching a tent in the grass of your yard, or as complex as taking a drive to a great location.
Our family camps very often. In fact, we were camping with an infant before they were 6 months old! Here in the Pacific Northwest, there are countless great places to pitch our tent and explore. I've lived and camped on the east coast, the midwest, and the desert southwest. If one is looking for a place to camp, it can be found!
Better yet, get the kids involved in choosing your next camping destination! They will be even more excited to hit the road for your family adventure under the stars.
Idea #3 - Nature Movie Nights.
Whether your family subscribes to Disney+, Netflix, or watches TV, the sky is the limit when it comes to finding great nature shows that are kid-friendly and so inspiring!
Izzy's Koala Rescue is a Netflix family favorite for us. It's not uncommon to see us all cuddled together, watching this young Australian girl and her family as they battle the real challenges of outback life and rescue koalas from injury and illness. There is talk of wildfires, conservation, climate change, habitats, and human/animal interactions.
Best bet - watch the shows with them! Kids are sure to have questions that you'll be able to answer in an age-appropriate way. They are also sure to love seeing you get so excited by what you see in nature, too!
Idea #4 - Collect Rocks.
Let's face it. Rocks are AWESOME. Their textures, shapes, colors, and crystal sizes make rocks one of the greatest finds in nature.
As a small child growing up in the midwest, my siblings and I used to go to the fields where farmers would stack piles of rocks (tilled from their fields). We would pick them up and smash them on each other, hoping to find a fossil or some huge "gem" inside. Hours could be spent looking for the coolest rock or creating a rainbow from the varying hues we'd find.
Rocks don't have to be huge (and take up space) to be a fun item to collect. Consider having your kids collect one small pocket-sized rock each time you go to a special destination. They can place them in your garden, greenhouse, or other sentimental location.
A word of caution, though. Our national parks, state lands, and other protected monuments are not a place to collect rocks or other items. Please keep them there for future generations to enjoy!
Idea #5 - Clean Up!
Nothing will instill appreciation for nature as much as a kid who helps keep it beautiful. When our family goes on walks or out geocaching (see more info on that below), we practice a "pack it out" approach. One of us will carry a bag while the rest of us keep an eye out for things that don't belong.
It's amazing how, after doing this practice a few times on walks - my kids are acutely aware of litter outside. They comment about their frustration with people who do it. I think this means they're getting the point, and hopefully won't litter, too.
Careful, though. Not everything is safe to touch out there. It's important to supervise kids while they're helping clean up trash. Sharp or biohazards should only be collected by adults and with great precaution and protections, like gloves or trash-collecting pinchers.
Idea # 6 - Bug Exploration.
In one of my favorite cartoons ever, Calvin says to Hobbes (as they're on one of their many outdoor adventures), "There's treasure everywhere!" Bugs are no exception.
A fun activity to do with kids is to go on a bug hunt. The object of the hunt is to DO NO HARM. Bugs, you see, are essential to the health and wellbeing of our entire planet! This activity teaches kids to simply observe, take note, and to let bugs do their thing.
I've created a FREE digital PDF download for you and your family to do this activity! Click the image below for your free download. Your kids will thank you for it!
Idea #7 - Plant Seeds. Teaching kids how to plant seeds is one of my passions! There is so much to learn about life by gathering soil, preparing a seed starter container, and watching a seedling sprout under the right conditions.
Some of my favorite seeds to grow with kids include:
Sunflowers
Corn
Grass
Catnip
It's you to you how much you'd like to spend on this activity - you can plant free seeds (such as those you have saved, freebies from friends) or you can purchase a seed mix. Here's one of my faves: Eden Brothers Heirloom Wildflower Seed Mix
Fortunately, Eden Brothers also offers a mountain of discounts and sales. I discovered Eden Brothers because I often shop on Rakuten, where I get cash back from every online purchase. If you sign up for Rakuten here and then make a purchase from Eden Brothers, you can earn up to 10% cash back instantly. The first time I shopped on Eden Brothers, I also signed up for their emails and saved 20% on my purchase. That totaled a 30% discount, even on my sale items.
Idea #8 - Stargaze.
Stargazing is a wonderful activity to do with kids! No matter where you live, whether in a busy city or in a remote, quiet area - the night sky is always fun to watch.
One of our family's favorite books is National Geographic's Backyard Guide to the Night Sky (available on Amazon or at your local library).
This book opened up a whole world to our family by helping my young kids see just how much there is to find in the night sky.
To stargaze, we don't do anything too fancy - simply dress in layers, bring a few outdoor-ready blankets to a grassy area (for us, the yard but for others, this could be a park). Then we settle in to "see what we can see."
Have even more fun by packing headlamps! This makes a simple outdoor activity feel like an adventure.
Idea #9 - Build Nature Sculptures.
Who says we need fancy craft store supplies to create beautiful sculptures in nature? I'd argue that all we really need is some string, maybe some tape, some great items found in nature, and a little bit of creativity.
Spend a few minutes together collecting "cool items" in nature. These could be rocks, sticks, leaves, unique finds on the beach, or whatever else catches your attention! Then, settle in to see just what can be built with the great finds you discovered!
Consider starting with a theme like "Silly Nature Creatures" or "Colorful Creations". Use the theme to inspire each other's creativity.
This is especially a great activity for the engineering-prone kid who loves to build things and construct! They'll have no shortage of building materials!
Idea # 10 - Try Outdoor Yoga.
Stretching, yoga, and striking poses outdoors is a fun way to tune into one's body while also taking in the sounds of the outdoors. Despite what poeple may think, yoga requires no special equipment. You can simply strike poses on grass, on the patio, or anywhere you have space. If you have a portable yoga mat, even better!
Yoga for kids is a very easy activity to try together. Consider learning about poses from a book at your local library or on Youtube.
Our family uses these fun Yoga For Kids Cards to get the kids excited about the poses. They practically all have an animal, insect, or nature theme tied to each pose. The kids pick the card and giggle as they watch their parents and friends try to strike the pose! We even make sounds to match the animal or insect!
Idea # 11 - Sun Prints and Sun Photography.
(Note - This idea does require black construction paper or cardstock, or even better, amazing sun print paper available here for under $10.)
If you have black paper laying around the house, good news!
Do kids understand just how powerful the sun is!? Sure we teach them to wear sunscreen, not look directly at the sun, and wear protective clothing. However, learning about the power of our sun with their own eyes is an awe-inspiring activity. It's easy to use the power of light and the sun to do "photography" with little or no equipment.
Simply gather your favorite leaves or shapes (we like to use cookie cutters). Then, on a sunny and clear day, lay these shapes on a piece of black construction paper or card stock.
Even better - Sun Print Paper is very low-cost and a super fun way to inspire even the youngest nature lover! Think of this paper as tiny photographs where kids get to choose what pictures they take without a camera! Amazon offers several low-cost options that can last a whole summer.
Idea # 12 - Play "Nature I Spy" During an Outdoor Walk.
A nature walk is always a great way to spent time together as family. Children love to fill their pockets with tiny treasures. There are so many sights to take in and enjoy! Our family can make a whole afternoon's adventure out of a simple stroll through a park or on a trail.
Add a fun twist to a traditional walk by playing "Nature I Spy" with the group. In case you're not familiar with the game, it's simple.
Choose a person to "go first."
They silently find an item in their line of sight that everyone can see, too. On a nature walk, this may be the grass everyone is walking on, a puffy white cloud, a group of birds in the distance, or even someone's shoes in the group.
Once they have the object in their mind, they say, "I spy with my little eye something _____." They state an adjective such as a color to begin prompting others to guess the item they're thinking of. For example, if they are thinking of a flower that they can see ahead in the distance, they may say, "I spy with my little eye something orange."
Each person in the group takes turns guessing the item. The Chooser can only reply with "yes" or "no." No more hints!
Once someone guesses the item, it's THEIR turn to choose a secret item. And the game continues.
Idea # 13 - Create Stunning Leaf Rubbings.
Leaf rubbings are a wonderful way to get kids excited about plants and nature. They required a little bit of equipment but are relatively easy to do with materials many have in their homes.
Required equipment: crayons (preferably old ones without their paper on them) and paper (we use simple computer paper or recycle the back of schoolwork)
Next is the fun part! Have kids gather a variety of leaf types from outside. The greater the variety the better! Simply place the leaf under a piece of paper. Lay the crayon down flat and gently color back and forth, making large swaths of color on top of the leaf. Slowly, the textures and surface of the leaf will begin to emerge on the paper!
Bonus activity! If your kids are really into rubbing plate activities, we have enjoyed these Realistic Insect Rubbing Plates in our house. The hard plastic plates (16 of them) are sturdy and have sparked so much insect curiosity for our kids. The kids use different colors on each rubbing and have taken rubbing to a new level of creativity! The plates are not very expensive and have certainly paid for themselves in fun and learning. These plates are a great screen-free roadtrip activity!
Get creative ~ use a variety of paper colors, crayon colors, and even a variety of leaves on the same rubbing! There is no limit to this fun activity.
Idea # 14 - Create Outdoor Musical Instruments.
It's amazing to realize just how easy it is to make sounds! Percussion (one object striking another) is practically the basis for so many sounds in nature. Bring that to life for your kids by holding an "outdoor musical concert!"
Encourage kids to create sounds with objects only found in nature - no toys, nothing from in the house.
What does a stick sound like when it strikes a tree? How about blowing on dried leaves? Encourage kids to write a song and hold a concert make with only items from outdoors. It's amazing just how many unique sounds they can create with the limitless options found outside.
Idea # 15 - Discover The Smells of Nature.
Nature is a symphony to the senses! And the sense of smell is no exception.
Go on a hunt to collect all the smells you can find in nature. You can group them into a theme (such as Sweet Smells, Yucky Smells, etc.) or simply gather whatever you can find! There is no shortage of smells that a person can find outdoors.
Even the not-so-pleasant smells from our family's compost pile makes for great conversations about growing our own vegetables, or how I use this "black gold" when Winter Sowing every January.
We like to have a contest in our family to see who can find the BEST smell on a walk! This is the smell that everyone loves. It's a fun way to add a little healthy competition to a nature walk.
Idea # 16 - Go on a Nature Scavenger Hunt.
There are several ways to host a Nature Scavenger Hunt, ranging from free in cost to a few dollars.
Free option: Create a list of items that you know will be available to your kids, such as a flower type found in your area or a bird that is commonly seen. Simply write a list of these items and let the Hunt begin!
Low-cost and reusable option: Because we like to travel to new places, we invested in a low-cost set of Nature Scavenger Hunt cards on Amazon. These cards are written to be "location friendly," they are not so specific that you can't find that species wherever you go.
Idea # 17 - Boat Racing.*
One of my most cherished memories as a child was racing objects in the shallow snowmelt of our driveway in Minnesota. Every spring as the world around us would slowly heat up, snow would disappear and the gravel driveway would flood with melted snow from our frigid winter.
We kids would take Mom's silverware from the kitchen (against her wishes, of course). It was not a stretch for us to spend hours each day creating channels, dams, and pathways with our spoons to help the meltwater find its fastest route to a lower elevation.
Part of the fun of this activity was racing objects in our flowing streams. Sometimes we would create boats out of paper or cardboard. Other times, we would each simply identify a leaf or a stick as our "boat" and race those down the streams.
Depending on what water you have access to, enjoy the fun activity of showing kids how objects float and flow downstream. There is no limit to how much fun you can have boat racing in your unique area!
To this day, I credit all of those hours spent as a "river engineer" with some of my love for nature!
*A word of caution - kids should never be unsupervised around water. Adults, be sure to accompany them for this activity!
Idea # 18 - Rock Balancing.
This is one of my favorite activities to do with kids, no matter where we go. It's super fun and always free to find rocks at your destination. Each place is so unique, and the rocks we find there are no exception. Turning rocks into a magical balancing act is even more fun!
Rock balancing requires patience, dexterity, ingenuity, and skill. It's amazing to see how kids' rock balancing skill improves over time. That's because they start to understand the physics of this fun activity. Over time, they start looking for "that rock" - just the right one for their project.
No matter where you go, rock balancing is free and fun. And it's a great way to snap a momento photograph of a place! Take your kids' photo next to their creation to help you remember what that place was like. They're sure to remember and celebrate that trip!
A friendly and important reminder that national and state parks have strict regulations about rocks and natural items within their boundaries. Please learn and follow all guidelines at your destination. Even if you can take them with you, please consider leaving your rock art for the next finder.
Idea # 19 - Go Exploring at the Beach.
Even though this is in the middle of this list, it is probably one of our family's favorites!
We are fortunate to live only 3 hours from the Pacific Ocean. That means we can quickly hop in the car and be at the beach the same day. Beachcombing is one of our family's favorite nature activity. Screen free and PACKED with adventure!
Even if we've been to the same beach 10 times, there is still more to discover and find while beachcombing.
There is really no need to set instructions for this activity ~ kids always have fun! But here are a few helpful tips, from one family to another:
Safety is ESSENTIAL at the beach! The ocean is powerful and ruthless. Never leave kids unattended, and never turn your back on the ocean. We always assume that a sneaker wave can come up, and keep a healthy distance and respect for the ocean.
Kids LOVE to collect things on the beach. That's half the fun! Think about how you will carry all of these treasures, even if it's just back to the edge of the beach. Backpacks, fanny packs, small buckets, pockets - these are all great places for kids to store their treasures for the day.
Shoes at the beach can be tricky ~ especially if you have a kiddo who is picky about being clean or textures on their body. Depending on the texture of the beach (rocky? sandy?), consider easy on/easy off shoes that are also easy to walk in. For example, flip flops might seem like the ideal footwear at the beach. However, it's very hard to walk in loose sand while wearing them. We opt for tall rain boots (such as these from Western Chief) in the loose sand, then switch to rinsable Crocs (like these) when we're on the hard packed sand.
Idea # 20 - Enjoy Time Around a Campfire.*
Also very nostalgic for me is the time our family spent sitting around small campfires. Watching smoke swirl, seeing embers glow, running away from smoke as it chases you around the fire - there is so much fun and nature to embrace while sitting around a campfire with family.
Campfire conversations are always fun, too! Whether you enjoy telling ghost stories or playing fun games, there is no shortage of laughter around a campfire.
One of our family's favorite finds is this book, called "Would Your Rather: Campfire Edition." It's entirely kid- and family-friendly, so no need to edit out the adult content. Our kids have a blast searching the book for funny questions and trying to get each other to laugh.
*An Important Note on Fire Safety - always practice fire safety and teach kids about the dangers of fire. Never allow a child to have a fire without close adult supervision. Excellent free resources can be found at SmokeyBear.com.
Idea # 21 - Recycle. Today.
This may be a "no brainer" for your family already; perhaps recycling is already fully engrained in how you live at your house.
If not, I'd argue that recycling (and teaching your kids about recycling) is one of the easiest ways to raise nature-loving kids.
That's because talking about recycling starts a whole conversation about natural resources, human consumption, and how to be respectful stewards of our Earth's finite gifts.
One of our family favorite books about recycling is this excellent book, What a Waste: Trash, Recycling, and Protecting our Planet, by author and veterinarian Dr. Jess French. It's part of a 3-part series called "Protect the Planet." We started reading it to our kids when they were toddlers. Now that their in elementary school, the book is still very age-appropriate and makes more and more sense to them every day.
The book gives step-by-step explanations of what recycling is, the difference in types of materials, and even offers actionable steps a kid can take TODAY to positively impact our planet. It's an excellent book for kids of all ages! I frequently give it as a gift, especially at birthday parties.
Idea # 22 - Raise a Pet.
Okay, I know that raising a pet is far from free! But showing animals love and compassion costs nothing. And I have to give credit to my parents for all the animals we raised as kids~ hands down, I think that my exposure to animals (cats, chickens, dogs, fish, horses, full bird feeders in our yard, etc.) helped me grow up a nature-lover.
Pets are one of the best ways to raise kids who love nature. Our children have been exposed to pets from Day 1: chickens, dogs, cats. They teach us love and care, and (at times) about the circle of life. Pets make us curious about the role animals have played in humans' lives for centuries. How is it that wild ferocious cats, who are born predators, can live in harmony with humans? How does a dog - evolved from wolves - bring us such happiness and not sheer terror!?
Pets make our lives fun, full, and joyful.
Now, some of us have health or space constraints that prevent us from raising pets. There is a free option to contend with those barriers. Consider making regular trips to the zoo, fostering pets, petsitting, or visiting your local humane society. If that's not an option, I highly encourage every child to try Idea #23.
Idea # 23 - Raise a House Plant.
House plants are another awesome way to raise a kid who loves nature! There are so many stunning plants to grow indoors, and many free ways to get them, too.
When a child is responsible for and invested in raising a house plant, it teaches them the importance of giving plants what they need - sunlight, water, and the right growing conditions for their species. They learn to be responsible for something that can't help themself. These lessons are priceless!
Free options - many house plants are simple to propagate, and a fun way to teach kids about how plants grow. For example, Pothos and Spider Plants are super easy to grow from cuttings. Do you know someone who has either of these plants? If so, ask if you can take a cutting. You don't need fancy, expensive pots or potting soil - both of these plants will grow great in whatever soil or container you can find. Consider asking friends and family (on social media, etc.) for cuttings or - better yet - old gardening supplies or house plants they can pass on to your kids.
Low-cost option - our local grocery store sells small plants for under $10. Consider shopping for a precious plant that they select and they take responsibility for.
Idea # 24 - Outdoor Story Time
Our local library is situated across the street from a quaint park. One of our family's favorite nature activity is to pack a picnic, go get library books, and enjoy our picnic and books in the park.
The next time you plan to enjoy a book together as a family, consider - could you take that same book and head outdoors? It's that simple.
If you want to take this activity to a new level, consider reading a book ABOUT nature - outside! My kid (age 8) would argue today that her favorite book right now is Oliver Jeffers' Here We Are: Notes for Living on Planet Earth. This is a fun book that Oliver Jeffers wrote for his newborn child, in an attempt to explain Earth to his new child.
If you haven't read this book (or anything else by Oliver Jeffers, for that matter), I highly recommend you check him out from your library or see him here on his website! (Psst, you probably heard of The Day the Crayons Quit - one of his most famous book series!)
Idea # 25 - Cloud Watching.
Clouds. Are. Awesome!!! And one of the coolest things about clouds is that, from one day to the next, they are different. Temperature, wind speed, time of day, weather patterns, humidity - all of these factors influence the way clouds appear to our eyes.
Head outside for a fun Cloud Watching Party! This activity is entirely free and can be enjoyed no matter where you call home. If your family gets really into cloud watching, consider learning the different types of clouds. (P.S. mammatus and lenticular clouds are my favorite!)
We enjoy using our imagination to "find" animals, shapes, faces and more in the clouds. There is no limit to how much time and fun your family can have watching clouds! You can even turn this into a game of "I Spy!"
Idea # 26 - Share Nature News with Your Kids.
Read the headlines on any given day, and we humans are talking about nature.
Electric vehicles. Wildfires. Wildlife releases in the wild. Weather.
Nature is everywhere in our news, because humans and nature cannot be separated. Consider finding age-appropriate news stories and sharing them with your kids!
Recently our news was celebrating the continued migration of a wolf that a rescue organization had reintroduced into the wild. This is a great story that I shared with my kids. It generated discussions about predators vs. prey, habitat loss, and reintroductions into nature.
I believe that many people have understandable concerns about "what is kid-appropriate?" Only you know your kids best. I argue that there may be age-appropriate ways to share nearly all nature news with kids. Don't underestimate their ability to comprehend even the most complicated matters in nature. Now is the time to teach them when they're under your roof and still absorbing your family's treasured values.
Idea # 27 - Dirt Don't Hurt.
This idea is simple - it's IMPORTANT for kids to get dirty. Let them get muddy. Stains aren't the end of the world. Scientists argue that kids who are exposed to dirt, soil, and germs, have healthier microbiomes and more diverse gut flora. This is known to have a positive effect on their overall health for life.
True story - this is the photo of the custom sign I had created to hang in our laundry room/entry from the garage:
I had it created by a custom sign maker on Etsy when we moved to our little slice of earth several years ago.
Do you embrace letting your kids get dirty? How do you resist the urge to have overly-sterile kids in an uber-clean culture?
Idea # 28 - Join clubs, groups, and find other like-minded families.
4H, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Parks and Rec, Future Farmers of America (FFA), and so many other groups are already leading the charge to raise kids who love and respect nature.
There are several ways to find out! Click the following links to learn more about these options in your areas:
What is available in your area?
Idea # 29 - Spend Time by Lakes and Rivers.*
My husband insists that one of the ways he fell in love with nature as a kid was from spending time on the water. Floating, boating, fishing, lounging on the sand - these are all ways to be close to a whole ecosystem that we as humans are just beginning to understand.
It's no wonder that lakeside camp sites in our state fill up nearly instantly! They are hard to get and for ver good reason. Growing up in Minnesota (the land of 10,000+ lakes), I couldn't agree more that spending time by water is great for raising the nature-loving kid.
Trips to the water can range from entirely cost free to fairly low cost, depending on the kind of adventure you'd like to have.
*A note on safety. Kids should always be supervised near water. Adults and children should wear appropriate floatation devices anytime they are near water. Water and intoxicants don't mix.
Idea # 30 - Do what worked for YOU!
If you've read each of these ideas and find yourself here at # 30, then this tip is simple - you are clearly a nature lover who cares about raising kids who love nature, just like you! So I'd ask...
What did your family instill in you as a small child? How did you fall in love with nature? Whatever those things that sparked your passion for nature, pass those on to your children.
Just like I'm doing now - well into adulthood - I feel as though this writing is a living "thank you" to my parents who worked hard to instill a love of nature in me, too. Thank you, Mom and Dad! I'm working hard to pass the same thing on to my kids today.
Nature-Loving Kids Make The World a Better Place
What are some other fun activities you do to help raise nature-loving kids? Please share on Instagram @planterboxgarden or in the comments below.