Here we are at the start of another new series of nature study topics! For the next weeks, we’ll be studying common herbs that most families have used and may have access to in their gardens. Cilantro is one of my favorite culinary herbs, especially in Mexican food. It’s easy to grow, so look for it at your local garden nursery.
Cilantro Herb Nature Study
Brand New! Outdoor Hour Challenge! Please note that this challenge for cilantro is found in the sample for this ebook. Your family is welcome to download the sample, use the suggestions for nature study, complete a notebook page for your nature journal, and perhaps even use the coloring page.
Get Your Outdoor Hour Challenge Herb Nature Study eBook Sample
Here are some observation ideas from the Cilantro Herb Nature Study challenge
Observe your cilantro plant using all your senses.
- Touch–Describe how the leaves feel? Is the stem stiff or bendable?
- Fragrance–Smell the leaves. Crush a few leaves and note the difference in aroma. Do the flowers have a fragrance?
- Sight-How tall is your plant? Note the shape of the leaves. Do you see any insects on your cilantro plant or flowers?
- Taste-Rinse a few of the leaves and then taste them. It has been described as tasting “bright, lemony, or a little peppery”. What is your description of the taste?
Remember that the rest of the challenge is available to members here at Homeschool Nature Study. You will need to sign into your membership to see the Herb Ebook Outdoor Hour Challenge Curriculum.
Included in the Herb Nature Study Homeschool Curriculum are eight Outdoor Hour Challenges for you to complete as part of your nature study lessons with your children. These challenges are not based on information in the Handbook of Nature Study by Anna Botsford Comstock. You’ll be using internet links and field guides to glean information about each topic.
- This 49-page digital ebook curriculum has 8 challenges and supplemental activities that will help you learn about some popular and common herbs you can easily grow in your garden.
- There are multiple custom notebooking pages for each of the topics. You can choose from simple notebook pages or more advanced notebooking pages.
- There are 6 coloring pages.
Here are the specific topics included in this Herbs Curriculum:
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Bee Balm
- Oregano
- Dill
- Thyme
- Sage
- Mint
Bonus: Rosemary Herb Study
More in Herbs Nature Study Course
This Herbs course in Homeschool Nature Study membership includes:
- Outdoor Hour Challenge printable curriculum
- Herb Study Planner Page
- Resource and Supplies List
- Herb Study Planning Page
- Instructions For Using The Herbs Curriculum
- Planting Herbs to Attract Insects
- Herbs in a Child’s Garden
- Herbs from Renee’s Garden
- Notebook Pages: Regular and Advanced Versions
- Coloring Pages
You might also like: Creating an Edible Garden: Gardening with Children.
Homeschool Nature Study Membership for Year Round Support
Can you believe all of these herb homeschool resources you will find in membership? You will also find a continuing homeschool nature study series plus all the Outdoor Hour Challenges for nature study in our Homeschool Nature Study membership. There are 25+ continuing courses with matching Outdoor Hour curriculum that will bring the Handbook of Nature Study to life in your homeschool! In addition, there is an interactive monthly calendar with daily nature study prompt – all at your fingertips!
We have quite a few new participants in the Outdoor Hour Challenges so I want to give a big welcome to everyone!
Be inspired. Be encouraged. Get outdoors!
Outdoor Hour Challenge by founder, Barbara McCoy. Updated by Tricia June 2025. Tricia and her family fell in love with the Handbook of Nature Study and the accompanying Outdoor Hour Challenges early in their homeschooling. The simplicity and ease of the weekly outdoor hour challenges brought joy to their homeschool and opened their eyes to the world right out their own back door! She shares the art and heart of homeschooling at You ARE an ARTiST and Your Best Homeschool plus her favorite curricula at The Curriculum Choice. She and her husband, Steve, are also publishers of Unit Studies by Amanda Bennett.