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The boys love exploring the outdoors and we are lucky to live near a number of forest preserves. We created some nature journals together and went for a walk on a nearby trail. It was the perfect way to spend a Spring day! Below I’ve shared instructions for making a nature journal.
Materials Needed:
- Paper- blank and lined
- Stickers
- String/Yarn
- Scissors
- Paper bag
- Crayons/Colored Pencil/Markers
- Pencil
- 3 Hole Punch
- Tape
Directions:
- Gather your materials
- Use the 3 hole punch to punch holes in your plain paper
- Cut the bottom of the paper bag off along the fold line
- Cut the side of the top part of the bag to make a long strip of paper bag
- Trace a piece of paper onto your paper bag and cut it out. Repeat. (These will be your front and back covers.)
- Punch holes in the bag to line up with your paper
- Cut string into 3 inch pieces (you need 3 pieces)
- Stack papers- One piece of paper bag on top, then lined papers, then blank papers, then a paper bag piece on bottom. Note: If your bag has any text/images on the outside of it you will want to make sure they are not showing when you look at it as a book. The front and back covers should be plain brown.
- Insert string into holes and tie into a knot
- Let kids decorate the front and back covers. They can color or put stickers on them as well.
- Make sure to put a pencil in the pocket so they have something to write with
An additional part to the journal can be a pocket in the front. Here is how to make it:
Here are a number of writing and drawing prompts. I’d suggest putting the list on the first page of their journals. This will help guide them if they aren’t sure what they want to journal about.
Nature Journal Prompts For Kids:
- Draw something you see
- Write a story of an animal you see, pretending as if you were that animal
- Draw a bug you see
- Describe something you smell
- Draw a picture of something smaller than you and something bigger than you
- Describe the sounds you hear- can you identify any of them?
- Find the prettiest flower
- Draw a picture of the sky today
- Find the smoothest rock
- Draw a picture of the tallest tree you see
- Find 5 different shaped leaves
- Draw an animal you see along with the home you think they live in
- Write about the ground you are walking on using three descriptive words
- Add leaf rubbings of your favorite leaves
- Draw a picture of something prickly
- Write down all the colors that you’ve seen on your walk today
Don’t forget to bring your Tampico juice drink to keep your family hydrated! My boys love the Tropical Punch flavor!
What do you enjoy doing outside during this nicer weather?
Check out these other resouces:
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