Kids’ Summer Nature Journal Prompts: Document Backyard Discoveries
There’s something magical about summer—the warm breeze, buzzing bees, and the joy of barefoot adventures in the garden. Why not capture that magic with a fun and educational activity your kids will love? Enter: summer nature journal prompts.
These simple notebooks turn everyday backyard moments into lasting memories. Whether you’re homeschooling or just looking to keep the kids off screens for a bit, nature journalling offers the perfect blend of creativity, science, and mindfulness.
In this post, we’ll explore how to start a nature journal, what to include, and fun backyard discoveries your little explorers can document all summer long.
Why Keep a Summer Nature Journal?
Nature journalling helps kids:
- Notice and appreciate the world around them
- Practice writing, drawing, and observation skills
- Learn about local plants, insects, and weather
- Develop a sense of curiosity and mindfulness
Plus, it’s a calming, screen-free activity that can be done solo or together as a family.
What You’ll Need to Get Started
Setting up a summer nature journal is simple! Here’s what you need:
- A notebook or sketchbook (lined, plain or a mix)
- Pencils, coloured pencils, crayons or markers
- Glue or tape for sticking in small finds (like leaves or flower petals)
- Optional: magnifying glass, field guidebooks, bug box
You can even print off free nature journal templates or design your own pages with spaces for date, weather, location, and observations.
Image prompt for this section: A flat lay of a child’s nature journal, coloured pencils, a magnifying glass, and collected leaves on a wooden outdoor table.
Simple Backyard Nature Prompts for Kids
To help children get started, offer them easy prompts such as:
30 Simple Backyard Kids’ Summer Nature Journal Prompts
- Find something in the garden that feels rough and something that feels smooth. Describe both.
- Draw a bug you saw today—what was it doing?
- How many different shades of green can you find? Make a colour chart.
- Look at the sky—what shapes can you see in the clouds?
- Sit in one spot for five minutes. Write down or draw everything you see moving.
- Trace the shadow of a plant or tree at different times of day.
- Count how many different bird calls you can hear. What might they be saying?
- Spot a spider’s web. What shape is it? Can you describe the pattern?
- Pick up a stone. What does it look like? Is it smooth, bumpy, shiny or dull?
- Watch an ant for a few minutes. Where is it going? What is it carrying?
- Find three different types of leaves. How are they the same? How are they different?
- Draw or describe the tallest plant or tree in your garden.
- Find something that smells strong—describe the scent.
- Look under a rock or log (carefully!). What’s hiding underneath?
- Measure how tall your favourite plant is this week. Check again next week—has it changed?
- Pretend you’re a bee. What flowers would you visit and why?
- Draw a picture of your backyard from a bird’s-eye view.
- How does the ground feel today—hot, cold, dry, or damp?
- Make a list of everything you can hear right now.
- Describe how the weather feels on your skin—warm sun, cool breeze, drizzle, etc.
- Find a tree. What does the bark feel like? Can you see insects on it?
- Discover something tiny and sketch it as big as you can.
- Watch a bird and describe its colours, sounds and actions.
- Make a tally chart of the different insects you see today.
- Can you find a feather? What do you think it came from?
- Create a nature alphabet—A is for ant, B is for bark… how far can you get?
- Look up—what’s the highest thing you can see?
- Make up a story about a creature who lives under a leaf.
- Observe how the light and shadows fall in your garden—can you sketch them?
- Choose a colour and find as many natural objects as you can in that colour.
These small details encourage mindfulness and observational skills while keeping things fun and manageable.
Backyard Discovery Ideas for Summer
There’s so much to explore just beyond your doorstep! Encourage your child to look for:
- Ant trails, spider webs, and bee activity
- Bird nests or squirrels in the trees
- Cloud patterns and changes in the sky
- Seeds, petals, or bark textures
- Butterfly visitors and their favourite plants
You don’t need a wild forest—your own garden, patio, or local park is brimming with nature waiting to be noticed.
Creative Add-Ons for Nature Journals
Let your child make their nature journal truly their own with extras like:
- Pressed flowers and leaves
- Nature poems or short stories
- Weekly weather graphs
- Leaf rubbings using crayons and paper
- “Did You Know?” fact sections for things they’ve learnt
Encouraging creativity makes journalling even more enjoyable and memorable.
Make It a Summer Tradition
Set aside time each week for nature journalling—perhaps after lunch, during a nature walk, or as part of your homeschool routine. You can even have a “Nature Journal Club” with siblings or friends and share findings together.
By the end of summer, your child will have created a beautiful keepsake full of their discoveries, drawings, and thoughts—something they’ll be proud to look back on.
Final Thoughts
Kids’ summer nature journal prompts are a brilliant way to keep kids engaged, learning, and enjoying the outdoors. With just a notebook and a bit of curiosity, they can document a whole season of growth, change, and backyard wonder.
So grab your journal, head outside, and let the backyard adventures begin!