You’re packing the water bottles, snacks, and sunscreen for a family adventure. The kids are slipping on their hiking shoes, eager to hit the trail. But as the wooded path stretches out before you, you start to wonder - will this just be another long, boring walk? Not with these 10 magical ways to bond with nature! Forget the fidgety “are we there yets” and transform your nature walks into treasured experiences. With simple activities tailored just for kids, you’ll uncover the wonders hiding right under your nose. Whether it’s spotting cool critters, telling woodsy tales, or playing outdoor games, we’ve got you covered. So rally the troops for a hike packed with discovery, imagination, and family bonding! This nature walk is about to get wildly fun.
The Benefits of Nature Walks for Kids and Families
Bonding Time
There's nothing quite like a nature walk to bring families together. Getting outside in nature provides an opportunity for quality bonding time without the distractions of everyday life. Kids can learn about their parents' interests in the natural world and parents can learn more about what sparks their child's curiosity.
Learn About the Natural World
Nature walks are a perfect chance for kids to learn about the world around them. They can identify plants and animals, notice the changing of the seasons, and gain an appreciation for the beauty in nature. Spotting birds, insects, and small mammals in their natural habitat helps children understand nature and how everything is interconnected.
Exercise and Fresh Air
Spending time outside provides many health benefits for both kids and adults. Going on a walk gets your blood pumping and provides vitamin D. The fresh air is a welcome respite from being cooped up inside. While walking, point out any signs of the changing seasons to kids. Have them take deep breaths of the fresh air and feel the warm sun or cool breeze on their skin.
Unplug and De-stress
It's easy for families to get caught up in busy schedules, work, school, and extracurricular activities. A nature walk is a chance to unplug from technology and de-stress. Leave your phone in your pocket and be fully present, enjoying conversation and quality time together. A calming walk in nature can do wonders for your mood and mental wellbeing.
Spending time in nature as a family has so many benefits. Make nature walks a habit and bond over discovering the natural world together. Your kids will cherish the memories of your adventures for years to come.
11 Fun Nature Activities for Kids on a Nature Walk + Top Tips for Making Nature Walks Engaging for Children
A nature walk is a perfect opportunity to engage kids with the outdoors in an exciting way. Here are 10 activities that will spark their sense of adventure and foster a lifelong love of nature.
Scavenger Hunt
Make a list of natural items for kids to search for, like pine cones, colorful leaves, feathers, or cool rocks. Offer a small prize for the child who finds the most items. This activity helps kids observe their surroundings closely.
Nature Journaling
Have kids find a spot they like and sketch or write about what they notice. They can draw plants, trees, animals, or landscapes. Journaling helps children develop stronger observation skills and an appreciation for nature's beauty. You can check out our range of Kids Nature Journals right here on our website.
Leaf or Bark Rubbing
Place leaves, tree bark, or other textured natural items under a sheet of paper and have kids rub crayons or colored pencils over the paper to capture the imprint. This craft activity produces beautiful natural art kids will want to display.
Bird Watching
Encourage kids to spot different birds, listen for various bird calls, and try to identify the species. Provide a bird identification book and birding journal to help them learn. Birding fosters patience and an interest in local wildlife.
Nature Collection
Have kids gather natural items like rocks, sticks, leaves, and feathers and arrange them in a creative way. They can make shapes, letters, or collages. Collecting and organizing natural materials stimulates creativity.
With activities tailored for curious kids, a family nature walk can inspire a lifelong passion for the outdoors. Pick a few activities to start, then try new ones on each walk. Most importantly, be enthusiastic partners in their discoveries. Your positive example will encourage kids to forge meaningful connections with nature.
Imaginative Play
Kids can pretend to be animals, fairies, explorers or anything else. Set the scene and then let their creativity take over. Imaginative, unstructured play is how children learn and emotionally process new experiences.
Build forts, fairy houses or other structures
Building a shelter or play structure gives kids a sense of purpose on your walk. Provide natural materials like sticks, leaves, stones and mud and let them create whatever they envision. Their constructions can be fanciful or practical but will spark wonder and a feeling of connection to nature.
By encouraging your kids' natural curiosity about nature through discovery, play, and creativity, you help foster a lifelong appreciation for the beauty and wonder of the world around them. Their excitement and joy will make family nature walks magical experiences you'll treasure for years to come.
Let Them Lead the Way
Give children a sense of control and independence by letting them choose the trail or path. Have them pick left or right at a fork in the road. This helps them feel invested in the experience.
Bring Magnifying Glasses
Hand kids magnifying glasses so they can examine leaves, bugs, and rocks up close. This helps them notice details they might otherwise miss. Have them sketch or take pictures of what they see to review later.
Play I-Spy
The classic game of I-spy is perfect for nature walks. Take turns finding interesting natural objects for the other players to spot. Start with broader categories like colors or shapes, then move to more specific things. This sharpens observation skills in a fun way.
Teach Them About the Local Wildlife
Help children identify any animals, birds, or insects you encounter. Share facts about their habitat, diet, and behavior. Point out tracks, scat, or other signs of wildlife along the path. Nurturing an interest in the natural world from an early age will benefit them for life.
Making nature walks a multi-sensory adventure will spark children’s innate curiosity about the world around them. With patience and practice, you’ll be raising the next generation of nature lovers and environmental stewards.
Nature Walk FAQs: Your Most Common Questions Answered
How long should a nature walk last?
For kids, aim for 30-60 minutes. This gives them enough time to explore without getting bored or cranky. Keep a close eye on the time and be willing to cut the walk short if needed. As they get older, you can extend the time to 1-2 hours. The key is to keep things interesting by changing the route or activities.
What should we bring?
The basics: comfortable clothes, sturdy shoes, bug spray, snacks, and water. You’ll also want bags for collecting items, a nature journal for sketching, field guides to help identify plants and animals, and equipment for activities like magnifying glasses, binoculars, a compass, etc. Don’t forget wipes, tissues and hand sanitizer.
What if we see wildlife?
Teach your kids to observe wildlife quietly and from a distance. Never approach or corner wild animals. If you spot animals like birds, turtles or frogs, have the kids sketch them in their nature journal or take photos. For safety, steer clear of any wild animals that seem aggressive or are acting strangely.
What if we get lost?
Choose routes that you’re familiar with to minimize the chances of getting lost. Tell someone your plans before heading out. While walking, periodically stop and have the kids point out landmarks to help them remember the trail. Carry a map and compass, just in case. If lost, stay in one place to make it easier to find you. Remain calm—most people are found quickly!
Nature walks with kids can lead to magical moments of discovery and connection. With some planning and the right mindset, your family can forge cherished memories exploring the natural world together. So get outside, bring your sense of adventure, and see what awaits!
Fostering Curiosity Through Outdoor Nature Play
The next time you head out on a nature walk with your kids, remember that it's not just about getting exercise or appreciating nature's beauty. Make it a magical adventure they'll always cherish by trying some of these fun activities together. Stop to create art from natural objects, build fairy houses, collect interesting specimens, or just lie back and watch the clouds. The memories you make will last a lifetime. So take a deep breath of that fresh air, soak in the sun or rain, listen to the birds sing. Bonding with your kids and nature is truly food for the soul. Get out there and see where your imagination will wander!
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