It's that time of year again! The birds are chirping, the flowers are blooming, and the whole family is ready to get outside. Explore the outdoors, discover fun nature crafts, and learn more about the world outside our doorsteps.
When we spend time on our stoops, take a walk around the neighborhood, or visit a nearby park, our senses come alive! We can inspire our children to observe and understand nature by listening for animal sounds, feeling the texture of rocks, seeing the shade made by the trees, smelling freshly cut grass, and tasting raindrops as they fall from the sky.
Nature Science Activities
Nature Observation Bingo
30 min activity“Listen, see and follow your curiosity” in this outdoor bingo game.
Balancing Nature
Help your child learn scientific observation skills in this nature activity.
Go on a Critter Collection Adventure
Explore a natural setting to find the perfect critter to collect.
Make a Nature Journal to Observe Animals
15 min activityAn animal observation journal is a great way to keep a record of the amazing animals you observe where you live and for sharing those observations with others.
Build Your Own Volcano
Help your child understand how a volcano forms and what causes it to erupt in this classic experiment.
Observe With a DIY Magnifying Glass
20 min activityHave you ever wondered how to make a magnifying glass with a plastic bottle? Magnify the fun with a closer look at the world through a homemade magnifying glass.
Simple Outdoor Activities
7 Simple Springtime Outdoor Activities
Find simple ways to enjoy the outdoors and celebrate spring.
7 Ideas to Get Creative on a Family Walk
Looking for new ideas for your family walks outside? Here are seven simple ways to turn a family nature walk into an enjoyable adventure for everyone.
6 Ways to Explore Nature With Preschoolers
Getting outside with preschoolers and exploring nature is a perfect way to learn about science. Here are six great ways from Elinor Wonders Why to explore nature with your preschooler.
Nature as Stress Relief for Kids
Playing in nature has a number of benefits for children. No matter where you live, here are some ways to reduce stress and anxiety by going outside.
Ways to Nurture Your Young Wild Kratt
Exploring the outdoors through crafts and activities is the perfect way to inspire your kids to develop an interest in nature and connect with the natural world.
Creature Power! How Outdoor Play Helps Kids Explore and Discover Like Wild Kratts
Outdoor play helps kids tap into their inner explorers and imagine their favorite creature powers, just like the Wild Kratts! The Kratt Brothers share how playing outside helps kids ask big questions and have fun while connecting with nature.
15 Ways to Celebrate Earth Day With Kids
What better way to help children foster a relationship with our planet than by celebrating Earth Day with some fun activities? We’ve rounded up some kid-approved games, crafts, and activities to help your family learn how to take care of the earth.
Nature Crafts for Kids
Hide and Seek With Camouflaged Animals
25 min activityCreate paper plate animals and explore how colors and patterns help them match their surroundings in this animal hide and seek game.
Homemade Fossils
With some basic kitchen ingredients, your child can have fun learning about fossils in this hands-on educational activity.
Paint With Nature
Use natural objects as brushes or stamps to paint creative art projects.
How to Make a Simple Bird Feeder
With common household items, you can help your child create a bird feeder that birds will be chirping about!
Craft a Nature Dragonfly
Create beautiful dragonflies using a mix of items you find on your nature walk.
Create Leaf and Bark Art
30 min activityCheck out the trees in your neighborhood while creating beautiful, nature-inspired artworks.
Books About the Outdoors
Gardening Activities for Kids
Gardening With Kids: How It Affects Your Child's Brain, Body and Soul
Planting a garden can affect not only your child's body but also their brain and soul.
Grow an Herb Garden
Learn about the basics of botany and plant growth by growing an herb garden with your child.
Make a Miniature Garden
30 min activityLearn how seeds and plants grow, and build observation skills with this hands-on garden activity.
Celebrate Earth Day With Nature Cat’s Daisy’s Garden
Learn more about gardening and recycling for Earth Day with these ideas from Daisy's garden on Nature Cat.
Plant a Terrarium
Bring the great outdoors inside by creating a self-sufficient terrarium in your home.
Nature Games for Kids
Elinor Hide & Seek
Hide and seek with Elinor & friends, play by yourself or with a friend!
Elinor's Nature Adventure
Use binoculars, a magnifying glass and more to observe and discover Elinor's world!
Ready Set Grow
Abby and Elmo are growing plants in the garden. In this game, your child can plant and water different flower and vegetable seeds and then observe the plants as they grow.
Veggiezilla!
Grow giant vegetables with Molly and Trini for the Alaska State Fair! Learn about how to keep the plants healthy, and watch out for hungry hares.
Seed Soaring
In this game, your child can help Nature Cat disperse seeds so that plants can grow in new places.
Fish Camp
Molly is going fishing. Your child can use reference sections of Molly's book to learn how to fish for salmon with fishing rods and wheels.
World Rescue
Your child can help the Kratt Brothers stop Zachbots from changing the environment and destroying different habitats around the world.
Backyard Bug Hunt
Elmo and Tango imagine they have shrunk down to the size of bugs. Go through a bug sized adventure and play math games along the way.
Elinor Nature Sights & Sounds
Immerse yourself in nature with this game! Go to the desert, sit by a river, or choose a different spot. Then add elements to the scene to create your own outdoor oasis.