Homeschooling | Teaching Through Nature

My family spends a lot of time in nature—whether it’s playing in our backyard, going on hikes, or visiting the beach. Rain, snow, or sunshine, you can usually find us outside. Some of our favorite times to explore nature are actually on rainy days. There’s something magical about following newly formed streams, splashing in puddles, and finding worms or slugs. If emotions are running high and there are tears or tantrums, a walk in the park is often the perfect cure. The combination of fresh air, movement, and connection to the natural world can work wonders for everyone’s mood.

For homeschooling families with young children, nature can be one of the best classrooms. The great outdoors offers endless opportunities for exploration, learning, and play, all while fostering a sense of wonder and curiosity. Whether you have a big backyard, a local park, or just a small green space nearby, incorporating nature into your homeschool routine can enrich your child’s education in meaningful ways.

Here are some simple and engaging ways to use outdoor learning as part of your homeschooling day:

1. Nature Walks and Scavenger Hunts

A walk in nature is a simple way to incorporate outdoor learning. Bring a notebook for kids to jot down observations or sketch what they see. Make it more engaging with a scavenger hunt for items like leaves, acorns, feathers, or animal tracks. This activity builds observation skills and sparks conversations about the natural world.

2. Gardening with Young Learners

Gardening teaches science, responsibility, and patience. Young children can help plant seeds, water plants, and observe how things grow. Even a container garden on a balcony can be a valuable learning tool. While I’ve had more success with houseplants than outdoor gardening, even failed attempts provide lessons about life cycles, soil, and weather.

3. Outdoor Science Experiments

Take science lessons outdoors with hands-on activities:

Sink or Float: We crafted rafts from sticks and twine and tested them in a local creek.

Weather Observations: We chart daily weather and compare trends monthly, which leads to discussions on climate change.

Bug Hunts: Explore under rocks or in grass to find insects and learn about their habitats and roles in the ecosystem.

These activities make science fun and encourage kids to connect with nature.

4. Nature Journaling

A nature journal lets children reflect on the world around them. Provide crayons, colored pencils, or watercolors for sketching flowers, trees, or animals. Older kids can write a few sentences about their observations. This combines art, writing, and science in a creative, seamless way.

5. Outdoor Storytime

Take storytime outside with a blanket, snacks, and books about nature or animals. The outdoor setting enhances the experience, making it calming and memorable while connecting literacy with the environment.

6. Build and Create with Natural Materials

Encourage children to use sticks, rocks, and leaves to create fairy houses, sand castles, rock towers, or sculptures. This fosters creativity, problem-solving, and fine motor skills while encouraging out-of-the-box thinking.

7. Seasonal Learning Activities

The changing seasons provide a natural framework for outdoor lessons:

Spring: Plant seeds and study flowers.

Summer: Experiment with water play and explore shadows.

Fall: Collect and study colorful leaves.

Winter: Observe frost or snow and discuss animal adaptations.

Each season offers unique opportunities to connect with nature’s rhythms.

8. Visits to Parks and Nature Centers

Field trips to parks, nature centers, or botanical gardens can be enriching. Many offer free or low-cost programs for kids. At the start of each month, I check event schedules for local nature centers and state parks. Recently, we participated in an archaeological dig where the kids found real artifacts like 18th-century pottery. My 5- and 8-year-olds are also junior park rangers, which deepens their connection to these spaces and fosters a love of exploration.

Incorporating nature into homeschooling isn’t just educational—it’s therapeutic and inspiring. Whether you’re gardening, exploring parks, or simply taking a walk, nature provides endless opportunities for learning, bonding, and fun.