Getting ‘into’ nature isn’t just about getting outside… it’s also about incorporating nature appreciation, and nature play into our lives even when we’re stuck indoors.
Here you’ll find all the fun ideas, tips, gear suggestions, and inspiration you need for outdoor family fun. Get both indoor and outdoor nature play suggestions. You’ll read about scavenger hunts, outdoor games, nature appreciation, backyard play, nature crafting, gardening with kids, books, nature study, and more!
Outdoor Nature Play and Activities
Start here – favorite outdoor family reads
Outdoor Activities for you and your kids
- Get outside with printable nature scavenger hunts
- 111 Screen free activities (for screen free week or any week of the year!)
- 5 risky play ideas (conquering childhood fears)
- 5 ways to connect with nature in the city
- Neighbourhood Scavenger Hunts to explore your community
- How to play bean bag toss / cornhole
- Map activities and map learning games
- Games for kids to play in the dark
- Outdoor activities for only children
- How to teach kids about safe tree climbing
- 100 fun things to do in the backyard
- Giant Outdoor Yard Games for kids and families
- Swimming Pool Games for teenagers, (so their party doesn’t suck!)
- 32 of the best outdoor scavenger hunts for adventure and play!
Getting outside in the spring & summer
- Outdoor yummy fun with pizza box solar oven smores
- Using a summer weekly planner to get your kids playing with nature
- Summer reading challenge (taking your books outside)
- 20 kiddie pool games – easy and fun to stay cool in the summer!
- Summer Solstice activities, crafts, and foods to celebrate with kids
- Fairy Gardens to make and buy… encouraging outdoor imaginative play!
Getting outside in the fall
- Outdoor activities for toddlers in the fall
- Fall-themed scavenger hunts
- Outdoor activity calendar for fall
Getting outside in the winter
- Outdoor activity ideas for toddlers (let’s play in the snow!)
- Frozen sun catchers (nature-filled wintertime ornaments)
- How to stay warm for a day of outdoor play
- December activity planner
- Skating on wild ice (keeping safe and having fun)
- Cuddleworthy picture books about winter and the snow
Thoughts & tips about getting kids outside
- Keeping busy with nature activities (calendar and bucketlist)
- The best gift guide to keep families and kids active
- Subscription boxes for active and adventuresome people and families
- Tips for easy, everyday backyard play
- Exploring nature with babies
- 10 tips to get your kids outside (because it’s not always easy!)
- Your guide to simple and easy family picnics
- How to pack your mom-purse for adventure
- Teaching children kindness, gratitude, mindfulness in nature
- Organizing your outdoor toys and keeping kids entertained with backyard toy rotation
- Using nature to increase children’s creativity
Nature in the Backyard
Gardening with kids
- 6 tips to make gardening with preschoolers fun
- 12 easy beginner seeds / plants to get your kids excited about gardening
- Great picture books about spring time, seeds, and gardening
- Handmade and unique gifts for gardeners (a beautiful Etsy gift guide)
- Garden Activities to do with your grandkids
- Garden Crafts for kids to make
Backyard nature
Indoor Nature Play and Activities
Nature Crafts
- Leaf crafts and projects everyone should try
- Leaf Christmas trees (for gifts, ornaments, or cards)
- Getting inspiration for your leaf art (Look what I did with a leaf book and activity)
- Ice lanterns to fancy up your festive dinner table
- Rustic Christmas ornaments all made from natural ornaments
- Printable Valentine’s Day leaf cards
Indoor Nature Play and Appreciation
- Indoor nature activities for preschoolers and young kids
- The best toys to encourage indoor adventure and nature appreciation
- How to set up an indoor bird watching station
- Invite nature-minded conversation with printable conversation starters
Nature Books and Nature Study
- Books to get kids excited about springtime, gardening, and seeds
- Great books about bugs
- Our favorite preschooler books about winter and the snow
- Fun fall books for preschoolers and young kids
- Bear books (for fun and for learning)
- The best books to get families outside exploring and appreciating nature