Nature Study for Kids

Looking for a screen-free activity for kids that is creative, educational, and actually keeps their attention? This simple nature study combines outdoor exploration, early reading skills, and drawing into a meaningful experience you can do together.

I have a young son and I have been thinking about activities to do with him when he’s not in school, that keep him engaged and away from screens. 

I finally tried this idea that I had been mulling over and it was a big hit so I thought I would share it in case it helps any other parents or grandparents out there. 

Nature Study Activity: An Overview

In this video and blog post, I share a nature-based activity I did with my preschool-aged son that turned into a beautiful, memory-making experience. This idea is basically a nature study that incorporates learning to read, hunting for plants, noticing details about them and then drawing them together. I’m sure its not an original idea, but I’m not in childhood education so I don’t know what’s usually done - though, I am a botanical artist and I’m always thinking of ways to help others engage with nature.

This activity includes:

• A simple “word of the day” learning moment
• A nature walk to collect real objects (flowers, leaves, etc.)
• Observation and discussion to build attention to detail
• A relaxed, no-pressure drawing exercise

You don’t need to be an artist to do this. The goal is connection, curiosity, and creativity—not perfection.

This is perfect for:

• Parents of toddlers and young kids
• Grandparents looking for meaningful activities
• Homeschool or early learning inspiration
• Anyone wanting more screen-free, nature-based time

How To Do This Nature Study Activity

 1. Word of the Day

I started with a related word of the day, In this case the word was “bloom” and we learned to spell and sound it out. If you have older kids you could make the word more challenging like the specific name of a flower variety.

2. Nature Walk

Then, we got outside and went on a nature walk looking for blooms, although this could be anything - leaves, acorns, sticks, pinecones, etc. We found some daffodils growing in our yard so we picked a few and brought them inside.

3. Gather Materials

Then, we got a sketchbook and picked out colored pencils that matched the colors in the flowers. You could use crayons, markers - whatever you have at home works! Bonus: If you do these in a sketchbook, then you have a little record of all the nature study memories collected in once place as a keepsake, like a journal. You'll be able to see growth and improvement over time as well. 

4. Make Observations

Once we had everything, we took notes on things we noticed about the flowers. We counted the petals and I asked questions about what he saw to help him learn to really pay attention to what he was seeing.

As an artist, this is one of the most important aspects of learning to draw: paying attention to the details in what you see. Writing them down, helps commit it to memory as well.

5. Sketch What You See 

Now my son is preschool aged, so I drew a few examples for him first and then let him color it in based on what he saw in the flowers. You do not need to be good at drawing.

* Important Note *

Again for the people sitting in the back - you do not need to be an artist to do this. It doesn’t have to look great, it doesn’t even have to look good - that’s not the point with this exercise. The point is learning and trying new things together. That’s it.

I’m sure it will actually be good for your kid to see that you are trying new things too. When we’re learning something new, no matter what it is, we’re rarely good at the beginning and I think its important for kids to see that its worth trying and pushing through that discomfort and seeing the reward of continued effort on the other side, like learning a new instrument or sport.

That would have been the end of the activity, except for my son requested new paper because he wanted to draw it again all by himself and y’all, he’s 3… I couldn’t believe that he replicated the flower with this level of specificity. He got the right colors in the right places and even remembered the round, curly edged center of the daffodil. It was such a hit that he stayed engaged the whole time and asked to do it again the next day.

Try It and Let Me Know How It Goes!

I really encourage you to try this and let me know how it goes for you and your kid! I’d love to hear your stories. You can email me directly and/or share on social media and tag me so I can see at @tinypineart.

Want More?

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Keywords: screen free kids activities, nature activity for kids, preschool learning ideas, creative outdoor activities, botanical art for beginners, homeschool nature study, drawing with kids, slow parenting ideas