nature table Archives

Posted on December 17, 2024December 17, 2024 by Tricia Hodges — Leave a comment

Simple Preschool Nature Table Ideas for Relaxed Learning

Here we have included some relaxed preschool nature study using a nature table. Find simple ideas and images to follow up your outdoor time.

Ideas with The Outdoor Hour Challenges Preschool Curriculum

To make it easy for you, homeschool mom, we gather what you need for each month. Our preschool curriculum includes simple ideas to use with your youngest children, introducing them to one bird, one animal, one flower, and one tree each month.

The accompanying grid will give you ideas to use along with your nature table. Placing items on the table along with the printable photo cards will heighten interest as you work through the month.

Relaxed Preschool Nature Table Ideas and Instructions

Here are some ideas to get you started!

You can place all the items on your preschool nature table at the beginning of the month or add one new item each week.
Print the images included in the Preschool Curriculum in color, cut them apart, and laminate if you wish.
Use the ideas in the grid to enhance your study of each item. Keep it simple and fun.
Visit your local library to find books about the month’s topics. Make sure to display the books on your nature table. For more inspiration, check out our Ultimate List of Preschool Nature Study books.
Create time to talk with your preschooler about the items throughout the month.
Use the items for free play.
Some of the activities suggest activities that you can do with your child for more active
learning like singing, drawing, or tasting.

Just remember you are cultivating curiosity with nature study!

What is a Nature Table? More Inspiration

The Habit of Gathering Things for Your Homeschool Nature Table – Unsure of what a nature table is exactly? Here is a simple definition with some ideas and tips. These will help you begin the habit of gathering things for your homeschool nature table during your Outdoor Hour Challenge time.

How to Create Simple Nature Displays for Fun Homeschool Learning (Maureen shares!) – It took me awhile to be ok with bringing nature inside. I mean, I was a little concerned about little critter hitch-hikers finding their way into my home. But after figuring out how to address that problem, I was all on board for creating a nature display for our nature treasures. And now we keep adding more around our home. Here’s a few things to think about when planning our nature display.

Preschool Nature Study with Homeschool Nature Study Membership!

Enjoy ALL of our preschool nature studies plus access to the Outdoor Hour Challenges curriculum for the whole family in Homeschool Nature Study Membership.

Find out more about our Delightful Preschool Nature Study Plans for Your Homeschool.

Find Out More About Homeschool Nature Study Membership HERE!

Be inspired. Be encouraged. Get Outdoors!

by Barb McCoy, founder of The Outdoor Hour Challenges

Posted on October 9, 2024October 11, 2024 by Tricia Hodges — Leave a comment

Leaf Art Nature Walk Activity

This is a super fun leaf art nature walk activity that you can do today! After a nature walk, create these fun shapes with the treasures you find.

Here is an example of leaf art the children created with Nana a few years back. It’s time to do it again!

Leaf Art Nature Walk Activity

Start by enjoying a simple nature walk in your yard on a beautiful fall day, encouraging the children to collect a variety of leaves, seeds and nature items.

Bring your discoveries inside and spread them out on the table. Or keep it all outdoors if you prefer – on a patio, back deck or blanket spread out in a shady spot.

Allow the children to create pictures with their items. You might encourage them by starting some artwork yourself, giving them an example.

Leaf Art Supplies Needed

You’ll need:

construction paper or printer paper
glue
markers or crayons
your nature items

With markers, crayons, or whatever you have on hand, let the children complete their pictures, then glue down their nature items. Making whatever they would like to make.

There’s no right or wrong way to make leaf art. Just have fun!

More Fall Leaf Activities for Your Homeschool

Keep going with these ideas!

Nature Study Crafts for Kids: Easy Activities for Learning and Fun! isn’t that leaf mask fun?

The Ultimate Guide to Fall Leaf Activities – Fall is the perfect time to take advantage of seasonal learning and to make memories together!

Fall Leaf Activities for Kids – These fall leaf activities for kids are a perfect way to study nature throughout the season. Easy to implement and enjoyable for the entire family, this study has options for all ages.

This is a super fun leaf art nature walk activity that you can do today! After a nature walk, create these fun shapes with the treasures you find.

More Fall Homeschool Nature Study Fun!

Keep the apple and pumpkin nature study fun going with these resources for all ages:

Join Us in Homeschool Nature Study Membership for a Library Full of Nature Crafts and Outdoor Hour Challenges!

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.

Posted on September 18, 2023September 13, 2023 by Tricia Hodges — Leave a comment

How To Create Simple Nature Displays for Fun Homeschool Learning

It took me awhile to be ok with bringing nature inside. I mean, I was a little concerned about little critter hitch-hikers finding their way into my home. But after figuring out how to address that problem, I was all on board for creating a nature display for our nature treasures. And now we keep adding more around our home. Here’s a few things to think about when planning our nature display.

Creating simple nature displays is a wonderful way to expose your family to the beauty of the world around us. Nature study made easy!

Types of Nature Display Containers

First you need to decide what kind of nature display container you would like to use. I’ve seen:

baskets
shadow boxes
old printer press drawers
miniature display case
trays

Find Treasures on a Nature Hike

Next, go find some nature treasures! Go on a nature hike! Many of our nature treasures were found in our own back yard or neighborhood. Things to remember:

Know the rules for keeping nature objects. If you’re at a state park, national forest or nature preserve, you can only look– not take anything you find.
If you reside in the U.S., there are some rules regarding collecting bird feathers. Because of this, we don’t pick up bird feathers. We did purchase some feathers at Hobby Lobby (which is where we got the peacock feathers.) See Is it Illegal to Pick up Bird Feathers
For objects such as pine cones, nuts and bark– you can put them on a cookie sheet and place in a 200 degree oven for about 20-30 min. Watch items carefully so they don’t burn. This will make sure you don’t have any unwanted critters.
For things like seashells, soak them in cold water. Change the water daily for a week. I did use a plant-base cleaner on the last day (adding a very small amount to the soaking water) but that isn’t necessary– especially if you are picking up empty shells.

How to Create a Nature Study Wall Display

We decided to create a wall display first. I found our display box at Hobby Lobby, but when I went back to get more, I couldn’t find them there. They might have been a seasonal item.

For bigger items, we placed them directly in the space. But I found that clean, glass spice bottles are awesome for holding smaller items. We have a bottle of sand, shark teeth, tiny shells, crab pinches, and tiny rocks.

How to Create a Simple Nature Table

We quickly ran out of room in our wall display, so we added a small display on top of the bookcase. I love that my kids can pick up and observe objects and have a space to proudly place items they find. (The book on the stand is Nature Anatomy: The Curious Parts and Pieces of the Natural World (Julia Rothman) )

Do you have a nature display or nature box? What tips would you add?

More on Nature Tables and Displays for Your Homeschool

Unsure of what a nature table is exactly? Here is simple definition with some ideas and tips. These will help you begin the habit of gathering things for your homeschool nature table during your Outdoor Hour Challenge time.

Nature Table Pinterest Board filled with ideas!

Moss on Our Nature Table and Up Close

The Outdoor Hour Challenges Bring The Handbook of Nature Study to Life in Your Homeschool!

For even more homeschool nature study ideas for all seasons, join us in Homeschool Nature Study membership! You’ll receive new ideas each and every week that require little or no prep – all bringing the Handbook of Nature Study to life in your homeschool!

Explore Homeschool Nature Study Membership Today!

Be inspired. Be encouraged. Get outdoors!

By Maureen Spell, a long-time contributor to the Outdoor Hour Challenges. Maureen helps Christian mompreneurs operate their business from a place of joy, purpose, and excellence because they are clear on how their business is serving their family and others. As a homeschool mom, she believes success at home AND business without the mom-guilt, stress and burn-out is possible! Outside of work, she loves having good conversations over a hot chai or GT Gingerberry kombucha and spending time with her husband and seven children. Visit her at MaureenSpell.com

Posted on April 4, 2023April 4, 2023 by Tricia Hodges — Leave a comment

Delightful Preschool Nature Study Plans for Your Homeschool

Enjoy relaxed preschool nature study plans for your homeschool with nature table suggestions, simple nature study activities, field trip ideas, images to print, coloring pages, and so much more. What a privilege to introduce children to the glorious world God created!

Have children eager to be outside? You can think of the earliest years outdoors with your children as the way to grow a love and curiosity about the natural world. This habit develops gradually over their childhood. The earlier you start building a habit of nature study in your family, the easier it will be to encourage children to be engaged in nature study.

Don’t miss the free sample of preschool curriculum, below!

Delightful Preschool Nature Study Plans for Your Homeschool

Preschool nature ideas for each month of the year include:

an animal, bird, flower and tree of the month – that is four nature studies each month!
nature table suggestions and items for free play
image cards
monthly activities
library books suggestions
casual monthly nature study
preschool hands on activities for active learning: singing drawing, tasting

“..the mother must not miss this opportunity of being outdoors to train the children to have seeing eyes, hearing ears and seeds of truth deposited into their minds to grow and blossom on their own in the secret chambers of their imaginations.”
Charlotte Mason, Volume 1, page 45

These Outdoor Nature Study Plans Can Be Used Family Style

Most of these nature study plans point to existing Outdoor Hour Challenges in our membership. The new Preschool course includes nature studies plus the plans refer to spring, summer, autumn and winter topics.

These are studies the whole family can explore! So these preschool plans are a great place for the whole family to start with.

48 Outdoor Hour Challenges!

But what if there is a rainy day and you can’t get outdoors? The activities in our Preschool Nature Study Plans will give you new ideas for fun learning.

Sample a Month of Nature Study Plans For Preschool

Try a free sample of the preschool nature study plans included in Homeschool Nature Study Membership. This sample includes a month of nature study plans! Get your copy in the form, below:

Preschool Nature Study Curriculum Included in Homeschool Nature Study Membership

Our Preschool Nature Study Curriculum is the newest addition to the Homeschool Nature Study membership. There are even more resources coming to members in the coming months!

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!

Find Out More About Homeschool Nature Study Membership Today!

Join us for even more homeschool nature studies for all the seasons! With a new nature study each week, you will have joyful learning leading all the way through the homeschool year for all your ages!

Nature Study Crafts For Kids: Easy Activities For Learning And Fun!

Nature study crafts for kids are a hands on way to learn. What beautiful and easy activities for learning and FUN! Let us show you how.

Nature Study For Kids

There is such value in adding nature study! Getting outside for a walk may be one of the most refreshing activities you could do with your children. Not only will you be learning about the beautiful creation in your very own backyard but you will be building lasting memories together.

And, gathering supplies from your yard makes doing a nature craft together even more fun! Spend a little bit of time outdoors then come inside and create. You could even stay outdoors and be crafty on a nice day.

Nature Study Craft Activities For Learning and Fun

Using our nature craft activities makes nature study easy on mom because our craft artist, Victoria, leads you and your students, step by step. Victoria grew up participating in the Outdoor Hour Challenges with her family. Nature has always inspired her work, right from when she was young. She, along with her sister, would go on weekly nature walks following lessons from the Handbook of Nature Study to learn about the beauty of our natural world. She has found through years of nature study that the slow and simple process of painting and being surrounded by nature has become her form of escapism from such a fast paced and material world.

Each craft activity is seasonal and matches what you are already studying in your homeschool. Plus, nature crafts are just so much fun!

Here are a few examples of the nature study craft activities you can enjoy in Homeschool Nature Study membership!

Ice Nature Art

Ice art incorporating foraged berries, leaves, cones or whatever else you find in nature makes for a beautiful garden decoration…even of it only lasts a few hours.

How to Make Forage Fairies

This homeschool nature craft makes it so much fun to get outdoors and forage for your supplies.

How to Make a Leaf Mask

You will love making a nature craft with leaves! We will be making these gorgeous leaf masks with only a handful of supplies. Let your creativity go wild with these masks!

Other nature study crafts include:

Last Days of Summer Wreath
Flower Hammered Note Cards
How to Make a Pouch for Your Nature Journal
Pressed Flower Vase

With new nature study crafts for Homeschool Nature Study members each month!

More Resources For Nature Study In Your Homeschool

We love the nature crafts Victoria shares! And, did you know that Victoria’s mother, Shirley Vels, is your Outdoor Hour Challenge hostess? Not only does Shirley share your new, weekly Outdoor Hour Challenge, she also encourages fellow homeschool moms with her monthly Outdoor Mom lessons in membership as well!

Find out more about the Outdoor Mom encouragement and prompts in The Joy of Nature Study in Your Homeschool Year.

If you are not a Homeschool Nature Study membership yet, please consider joining to gain the benefit of having a nature study library at your fingertips. There are numerous resources available for you to help create the habit of nature study within your family.

Members also enjoy access to:

NEW, weekly Outdoor Hour Challenges to bring the Handbook of Nature Study to life in your homeschool!
the annual nature study plans
matching courses with materials and journaling pages
interactive calendar with daily nature study prompts
Nature Journaling course
and MUCH more!

Members of Homeschool Nature Study enjoy access to both the Nature Crafts course AND Outdoor Mom plus more exclusive courses and content.

Find Out More About Homeschool Nature Study Membership Today!

Be inspired. Be encouraged. Get outdoors!

Posted on May 16, 2022June 20, 2022 by Barb — Leave a comment

The Habit of Gathering Things for Your Homeschool Nature Table

What is a Nature Table?

A Nature Table Is…

1. A table, shelf, box, or tray where teachers and families can gather and collect natural items for exploration and discovery.

2. A collection of natural objects gathered by the teacher or student for closer observation.

3. A place for the child to touch and interact with the natural items.

4. A place that changes with the seasons and interests of the student.

5. A collection of inanimate, living, and once living objects.

6. A place to encourage the outdoors to come indoors.

7. An aid to looking more closely at nature from your own backyard.

8. A part of a nature center, hopefully near a window for firsthand observation of things in your own yard or neighborhood.

9. A place to gather tools and ideas for further investigation.

Unsure of what a nature table is exactly? Here are some tips to help you begin the habit of gathering things for your homeschool nature table.

How A Nature Table Can Work in Your Homeschool

The habit of collecting nature items for a homeschool nature table helps us transition from season to season. At the start of each season, we would evaluate which things on the table we would keep and which things could be taken back outside. Leaves get crunchy and flowers wilt over time, so they were easy to recycle. The other items like rocks and shells can live on the nature table or be stored in a box for future observations or display. I’m sure you’ll come up with a system of rotating items for your family that makes sense to you.

During our family nature walks, my boys would gather things to bring home for our nature collection. They were always asking me to carry things for them and soon my pockets would be stuffed with rocks, acorns, and other interesting natural items. If they had too many items, I would make them choose a few favorites.

Handbook of Nature Study quote on nature collection

Often, we would draw the items once we were home but many times these treasures went straight to our homeschool nature table. This habit of gathering items while outside together was one that connected our time in nature with our indoor life and learning.

Inevitably, the table would be covered with lots of things, and I decided we needed a system of displaying the items. I gathered a few baskets and plates and boxes for holding the bits they brought home from our outdoor excursions. (See the post linked below on how this worked with our rock collection.)

Practical Suggestions For Creating Your Nature Table

Please use common sense when adding things to the nature table. Please be cautioned about potentially hazardous items like glass jars, sharp objects, and/or possibly poisonous items like berries, mushrooms, and leaves.
The nature table can be a part of a larger nature observation center in your classroom or home. Positioning the table near a window for outdoor observation is a great way to use the nature table as a place to gather nature study tools like magnifying glasses, binoculars, a nature journal, and field guides.
Consider changing items from year to year to freshen up your seasonal nature table.
Do not look at the items collected as something to necessarily save from one year to the next.
Allow a place for new objects and for areas of interest.
Let your children gather and collect items for the table if possible.

Here are some ideas from the past to inspire

If you’re not a member here on the Handbook of Nature Study yet, please consider joining to gain the benefit of having a nature study library at your fingertips.

Nature Table Display Ideas Pinterest board
Bird Nature Table Ideas
Moss on Your Nature Table – images and ideas
5 Ways to Display Rocks on Your Nature Table
Table Top Garden and Garden Flower Ideas for Your Nature Table

More Resources For Homeschool Nature Study

For even more homeschool nature study ideas, join us in Homeschool Nature Study membership! You’ll receive new ideas each and every week that require little or no prep – all bringing the Handbook of Nature Study to life in your homeschool! There are endless resources available for you to help create the habit of nature study within your family.

Find Out More About Homeschool Nature Study Membership HERE

Be inspired. Be encouraged. Get Outdoors!

Posted on April 3, 2022April 20, 2022 by Barb — Leave a comment

5 Ways to Use Your Magnifying Lens in Homeschool Nature Study

Looking for ways to encourage your child to explore things in nature? Using a magnifying lens in homeschool nature study is not only fun for children but it helps them see more clearly the wonderful world of objects we have all around us. Try one of the ideas below to help your child get started making careful observations of natural items.

5 Ways to Use Your Magnifying Lens in Homeschool Nature Study

“Adults should realize the the most valuable thing children can learn is what they discover themselves about the world they live in. Once they experience first-hand the wonder of nature, they will want to make nature observation a life-long habit.”
Charlotte Mason, Volume 1, page 61

#1 – Nature Station With a Magnifying Lens

Create a magnifying glass station with natural items either indoors or outdoors. Collect a few things to have on hand to start but them encourage your child to find a few of their own while outdoors playing or during a nature walk.

#2 – Square Foot Nature Study

Use your magnifying lens in homeschool for a square foot study. There are plenty of ideas here on my blog to help you get started. You can follow-up with this entry: Small Square Study-Living vs. Non-Living.

#3 – Examine Insects With a Magnifying Lens

Collect a few insects to examine close up with your magnifying lens. Look for dead insects in window sills, in the garden, or in spider webs. If you can capture a live insect and put it in a clear container, use the magnifying lens to get a closer look. Have your child observe closely the wings, the legs, the antennae, or the eyes of insects using a magnifying lens. Another tip is to place the insect on a mirror and then you can see the underside easily.

#4 – Create a New Level of Tree Homeschool Nature Study

As part of a tree study, use your magnifying lens to examine the bark, the leaves, and the cones or acorns of a tree in your yard or neighborhood. You can also use the magnifying lens to compare two trees with careful observations.

For more ideas to use with your magnifying lens and my recommendations for products, you can see my Squidoo Lens: Best Magnifying Lens Plans and Activities.

Outdoor Hour Challenge Homeschool Nature Study Lens Activity

#5 – Use the Outdoor Hour Challenge Homeschool Nature Study Magnifying Lens Activity

Discover the wonder of ordinary objects using this magnifying lens in homeschool nature study activity. Use the suggestions on the page to spark some ideas for objects to collect and observe. There is a place to record a few sketches and some follow-up thoughts if your child is interested in keeping a record of their magnifying lens activity.

Homeschool Nature Study Activities

Find this activity in Challenge 8 Getting Started in Homeschool Nature Study Guide available in membership and HERE.

A magnifying lens in homeschool nature study is fun and helps children see more clearly the wonderful world of objects we have all around us.

Posted on November 13, 2017 by Barb — Leave a comment

Weed Bouquets and Autumn Time

My Autumn Weed Bouquet

Our neighborhood is mostly evergreens with a few deciduous trees mixed in. The view from my back window is over a slope leading down to the river and it has very few trees and lots of shrubs and grasses. The grasses are what most people would call “weeds” and in between those grasses there are a few wildflowers like yarrow and asters. The river is lined with willows, the shrubby kind and not the trees. For what it’s worth, I find the view from any of my windows beautiful and refreshing.

As the winter snows have already started, I’m seeing fewer and fewer short plants as they get buried and mashed down by the snow and ice. There are still a few plants surviving so I took the opportunity a week or so ago to cut some of the autumn weeds for a bouquet to have indoors. It was pretty late for gathering much but I still managed to create a bouquet that makes me happy. Once again, it is a matter of perspective in determining whether a plant is a weed or something amazing to look at as part of an autumn bundle in a vase.

My husband and I debate about the definition of a weed, an on-going discussion in our family. I say a weed is something growing where you don’t want it to grow, like in a flower or vegetable garden or in the middle of your manicured lawn. But, if the plant is growing, like most of those in our yard, in a natural landscape, I try to leave it as part of the habitat.

In my eyes, my autumn weed bouquet is as pretty as any flower shop bunch of roses.

Invite your children to gather some of your autumn weeds to be indoors as part of your nature display.

Other Entries of Interest and Inspiration

Poetry in Your Nature Journal

Winter Weed Gallery – from my archives, showing lots of winter weeds

Posted on March 7, 2014January 14, 2022 by Barb — Leave a comment

Outdoor Hour Challenge – Winter Birds

Outdoor Hour Challenge:
This week take some time to observe your neighborhood birds and document in your nature journal a bird you have noticed during the winter at your birdfeeder or in your yard. This is such an enjoyable nature study topic for the whole family. View from your window if you need to and use some of the ideas in the following challenges:

Winter Bird Study from Winter Wednesday – see this post for ideas to use without the Discover Nature in Winter book.
Winter Bird Challenge-focus some of your time on learning about bird migration using a field guide with migration maps
Bird Nature Journal Ideas – use some of these ideas to record your birds in your nature journal

Bird Themed Nature Table Ideas:
Use some of the ideas in this printable to find items for your children to have access to on your family’s nature table.

Bird Themed Nature Table Printable

Getting Started Suggestion:
If you already own the Getting Started ebook, complete Outdoor Hour Challenge #5. Use the ideas in this challenge to start or continue your family’s list of birds observed. If you have the ebook, there is a printable notebook page in the back to keep track of your Running List.

Ideas with The Outdoor Hour Challenges Preschool Curriculum

Relaxed Preschool Nature Table Ideas and Instructions

What is a Nature Table? More Inspiration

Preschool Nature Study with Homeschool Nature Study Membership!

Leaf Art Nature Walk Activity

Leaf Art Supplies Needed

More Fall Leaf Activities for Your Homeschool

More Fall Homeschool Nature Study Fun!

Types of Nature Display Containers

Find Treasures on a Nature Hike

How to Create a Nature Study Wall Display

How to Create a Simple Nature Table

More on Nature Tables and Displays for Your Homeschool

The Outdoor Hour Challenges Bring The Handbook of Nature Study to Life in Your Homeschool!

Delightful Preschool Nature Study Plans for Your Homeschool

These Outdoor Nature Study Plans Can Be Used Family Style

Sample a Month of Nature Study Plans For Preschool

Get Your Preschool Nature Study Curriculum Sample!

Preschool Nature Study Curriculum Included in Homeschool Nature Study Membership

Nature Study For Kids

Nature Study Craft Activities For Learning and Fun

Ice Nature Art

How to Make Forage Fairies

How to Make a Leaf Mask

More Resources For Nature Study In Your Homeschool

The Habit of Gathering Things for Your Homeschool Nature Table

What is a Nature Table?

How A Nature Table Can Work in Your Homeschool

Practical Suggestions For Creating Your Nature Table

Here are some ideas from the past to inspire

More Resources For Homeschool Nature Study

5 Ways to Use Your Magnifying Lens in Homeschool Nature Study

#1 – Nature Station With a Magnifying Lens

#2 – Square Foot Nature Study

#3 – Examine Insects With a Magnifying Lens

#4 – Create a New Level of Tree Homeschool Nature Study

#5 – Use the Outdoor Hour Challenge Homeschool Nature Study Magnifying Lens Activity

Homeschool Nature Study Activities

Down a sample copy of this January 2014 Newsletter:

Outdoor Hour Challenges for families since 2008!