Discover Science In Nature For Kids

Nature has so much to teach! Even a walk around the yard can provide many opportunities to introduce children to scientific concepts and processes. This will help them to gain the scientific habit of observing what’s around them. Let’s look at how to find science in nature for kids.

Teach Kids to Observe the World Around

Nature Journal For Little Explorers: Kids Nature Journal/Nature Log Activity Book; Fun Nature Drawing And Journaling Workbook For Children
What You Need

• A magnifying glass
• Science journal

What To Do:

1. Take a walk outside with your child: around the yard, to the end of the block, in the park, anywhere that’s convenient. Invite her to bring along her science journal and show her how to use a magnifying glass. As you walk, stop and, depending on the season, ask her to use the lens to examine things such as the following:
   • dirt
   • leaves (from the same tree, one on the ground and one on the tree)
   • a flower
   • snowflakes
   • icicles
   • bugs
   • a mud puddle
   • a rock
2. Ask her to talk about what she observes. Ask, for example:
   • What’s on each side of this leaf?
   • How is this leaf on the ground different from the one on the tree?
   • Are all the petals on this flower the same size and color?
   • How many legs does this bug have?
   • Are these snowflakes exactly alike? How are they different?
   • How many colors can you see in this mud puddle?
3. Other questions you might ask as she observes and examines things along the way include the following:
   • Is it smooth or rough?
   • Hard or soft?
   • Is it dry or wet?
   • What shape is it?
   • Is it alive? How do you know?

Fun shaped magnifying glass for kids

Melissa & Doug Sunny Patch Pretty Petals Flower Magnifying Glass With Shatterproof LensMini 5 Magnifying Glasses with Pens Tip ComboMelissa & Doug Sunny Patch Shimmy Snake Magnifying Glass With Shatterproof Lens

More Science In Nature For Kids

Give your child two different kinds of rocks or flowers and ask her to tell you how they are alike and different.

Make sure she records her observations, reactions, findings and opinions in her science journal.

Drawing pictures and taking photos are good ways to record observations, and you can help her to write appropriate captions.

Encourage her to share her journal with others and to talk about her experiences.

Gathered some rocks? Paint them!

Things you’ll need for your science walk

ETA hand2mind, My Observation Journal Kit, (41638)Nature Series: Science on a Nature WalkLearning Resources Jumbo Magnifiers, Set of 6