Backyard Nature Fun

Exploring nature with kids doesn’t have to mean hitting the trail, heading to the mountains or going camping (though those are all fine ideas). Connecting with nature is as easy as heading out the back door. 

 

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I hope this blog will give you some ideas to make exploring nature in your backyard simple and fun. And don’t worry if your backyard is tiny or even nonexistent – the ideas I share can be enjoyed at a local park or any other natural area in your neighborhood.


Where should I start?

If you don’t already do so, now’s the time to join our Free Family Guidebooks Club so you can get the latest guides from me organized in the easiest format for you. You’ll get ONE email per week and won’t miss a thing!

If you only have a few minutes to peek around, bookmark this page! Then check out the top five Backyard Nature Fun reader favorites:

  • 50 Ways to Explore Nature in Your Own Backyard
  • Spring Nature Scavenger Hunt
  • Winter Nature Scavenger Hunt
  • Create a Fairy Garden
  • Great American Backyard Campout

How can I search your archives for more great backyard nature fun?

I’m glad you asked! The best place to start is back on the home page, where you’ll find the Backyard Nature Fun posts sorted by season (look right under the blog’s logo). You can click on any of the seasons for timely play ideas. Or you might prefer to enter a term into the search bar in the top right-hand corner of the page to see what comes up.

To get you started right here, I’ve featured the top three reader favorites in a variety of topic areas.

Gardens/Flowers/Trees

Gardens, flowers and trees can be usually be found in just about any neighborhood, making them a simple way to connect with nature.

  • Explore a Flower
  • The Tiny Seed: Garden Activities for Kids
  • Grow a Sweet Potato Plant

Holiday Activities

Here’s where you’ll find ways for families to get outside and into nature during the holidays.

  • Magic Reindeer Food
  • 9 Valentine Nature Crafts for Kids
  • Halloween Scavenger Hunt

Idea Lists

I like making lists. All kinds of lists. Which is a good thing, because they seem to be pretty popular around here.

  • 50 Ways to Explore Nature in Your Own Backyard
  • 50 Ideas for Your Fall Outdoor Bucket List
  • 7 Ways Kids Can Help Save Trees 

Imaginary Play

One part magic, one part imagination, this is where nature and imaginative play come together.

  • Create a Fairy Garden
  • Build a Fairy House
  • Mix Up a Fairy Potion

Nature Crafts

I make no claims to be crafty, but most kids are huge fans of crafts. Thankfully, nature and crafting go together nicely.

  • Making Recycled Bottle Lanterns with Kids
  • Paint Rocks
  • Make & Float Paper Boats

Nighttime Nature Activities

Sometimes it’s fun to explore nature when the sun goes down. See some of the activities we’ve tried.

  • Great American Backyard Campout
  • Backyard Campfire
  • Go Stargazing

Rainy Day Fun

Wondering what to do when it’s pouring outside?

  • 10 Ideas for Getting Outside on Rainy Days
  • Rain Art
  • 11 Ideas for Rainy Day Outdoor Fun

Scavenger Hunts and Nature Walks

Here you’ll find plenty of ways to turn an everyday walk around your backyard, neighborhood or local park into an adventure in nature.

  • Winter Nature Scavenger Hunt
  • Spring Nature Scavenger Hunt
  • April #GetOutside Photo Scavenger Hunt

Simple Pleasures

It doesn’t take a lot for kids to have hours of fun outside. A little dirt, a little sand and a little water will often do the trick.

  • Backyard Play Spaces: Nature Play Station
  • Backyard Beach
  • Paint (& Splash) Outside

Snow Play

Winter’s snowy weather is no excuse to stay indoors. If you need some ideas for getting outside, we’ve got a few.

  • First Snow
  • Build Snow Animals
  • Build a Snowman

Sun/Sky/Wind

Short on time? Sometimes connecting with nature is as simple as taking a look up.

  • Watch a Sunset
  • Catch a Rainbow
  • Shadow Play

Wildlife Watching

Even our urban backyard is teeming with wildlife – birds, bugs and more.

  • Build a Roly-Poly Terrarium
  • Go Bug Hunting with Kids
  • String Fresh Garland for the Birds
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Where else I can go to see more of your Backyard Nature Fun ideas?

I’m always adding new ideas to my backyard nature play spaces and outdoor play Pinterest boards, plus I have boards for nature play ideas arranged by season (winter, spring, summer and fall). I’ve also put together a fun series called 31 Days of Backyard Nature Fun that provides ideas for making time in nature a habit in just one month.

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