Summer Nature Study Ideas

Summer lends itself beautifully to the nature studies. It is a great time to get outdoors, spend some time with each other learning about nature. It’s a wonderful time because your schedule isn’t as hectic and the weather is cooperative.

Whether you are a year round homeschooler, or just one that wants to take a break but not go without any plans, nature studies are a great way to put something on the learning agenda for the summer

Here are some ideas for nature studies and some things to keep in mind while you incorporate it into your summer learning plan.

KEEP IT SIMPLE

Don’t overdo it here. Don’t buy a curriculum and make it a big thing. Just decide you are going to have some general plans for nature studies and then incorporate them into the your summer as it best fits.

JOURNAL/NOTEBOOKING

You can definiately add jornalling or notebooking into the summer by having your kiddos journal or notebook your nature studies. Try to capture the moments over the summer and have the kids journal about it.

If you REALLY need a guide, consider the Handbook of Nature Study to use as your guide and go from there; however, here are some fun things to consider as you make plans for your summer nature studies.

If you need a journal, consider one of these: Nature Journal: A Kid’s Nature Journal and Small Adventures Journal: A Little Field Guide for Big Discoveries in Nature.

Or consider a guided journal for nature study ideas like Guided Nature Journal for kids.

IDEAS FOR NATURE STUDIES

Grab a jar and collect fireflies
C ollect rain and make a graph of how much it rains throughout the summer
Make a leaf collection and identify them in your notebook – take rubbings of them or press the leaves
Find types of clouds and notebook and/or draw them
Identify some insects you find in your backyard
Study the stars and then lay outside and find the constellations

BE FLEXIBLE

Summer is a great time to be outside looking at the flowers and bugs during the day or watching the stars at night. Take advantage of the summertime and learn about something new.

What do you like to do in the summer? Do you like to add some nature studies to your summer? Tell me in the comments below, I would love to hear from you.