Winter Nature Study for Kids

Get ready to dive into nature studies with your kids this Winter! The study of nature is a big part of popular homeschooling philosophies by Maria Montessori, Charlotte Mason, and Rudolf Steiner (father of the Waldorf method). Adding this fun Winter Nature Study for Kids Journal Page into your day will bring lots of memories and joy into your learning.

What about the weather? There’s no reason you can’t bundle up and get outdoors with your kids this Winter.

Maria Montessori believed that the study of nature and time spent in nature is an important part of early childhood education. You can use nature books, nature exploration tables, and this Winter observation printable to get started incorporating the study of nature in your homeschool lesson plans this year.

Montessori Style Nature Studies

Did you know you can incorporate nature studies into your homeschool learning all year long? It’s easy! There are so many ways to study nature with your kids indoors and out this Winter. Research shows that kids who spend time in nature have stronger immune systems, fewer allergies, and less anxiety. Plus, it’s a great way to encourage scientific observation.

Don’t forget to grab this nature study printable to use with your little explorers this Winter.

Study of Nature

First, remember to dress appropriately for the weather. Kids won’t hesitate to go for a walk in the woods if they’re bundled up in warm clothes. Opt for layers they can remove if they begin to feel hot.

Don’t feel like you have to drive to a park or designated hiking trail. Be courageous this Winter! Get off the beaten path and discover all the secrets waiting for you this Winter.

Let your kids lead the way this Winter. Allow children to set the pace for your nature walk. Instead of pointing out things they should notice, let kids be curious and explore nature on their own.

You might be surprised by what they observe. Then, encourage your nature explorers to use this Winter observation printable to record all the things they have noticed and discovered during their Winter nature studies.

Using Nature Tables in Your Homeschool

What if lessons involved exploring the world from your bedroom window? As homeschoolers, we can make that vision a reality with nature tables.

Setting up a place for nature studies indoors is a great alternative when outdoor nature study simply isn’t possible. Plus, nature tables are budget friendly ways to get some hands-on nature studies set up in your own home.

Here are some of our favorite nature table ideas:

Geology Nature Table

Begin with some fun books about identifying rocks, how rocks are formed, gems, and even caves. Then, add tactile elements like local rocks, a magnifying glass, a National Geographic rock tumbler kit, and even some geodes to break open.

Kids can learn about local geology through exploration and play. You can even add an art element to your nature table by providing your future geologists with paint and brushes to paint kindness rocks.

Backyard Bird Watching Station

Comfy chairs, kids’ binoculars, and some books about birds from the local library make a fun bird watching station for your kids to learn more about the feathered friends in their own backyard this Winter. Be sure to include these Winter observation printables for them to record their discoveries and some feathers to explore on your bird watching nature table too.

Homemade Snow Dough, A Snowy Day Book Activities, Animal Track Matching

Nature Tables

Animal Tracks Activities

One of our favorite nature table ideas is an animal tracks nature table. This fun sensory experience uses plastic animals and my snow dough recipe together with some local field guides.

Allow your nature explorers to create their own animal tracks, identify tracks you have created with the field guides, and learn about local animals with this engaging nature table. Then, kids can experiment drawing their own animal tracks on these printable Winter nature study pages.

Nature Books for Kids

Another fun way to incorporate the study of nature this Winter is by learning and exploring with books. There are so many fun Winter nature study tales for your kids to fall in love with.

You can build an entire lesson plan around a good picture book.

Here’s how:

Choose a Winter Storybook

First, choose a great storybook to get your little explorers engaged and interested in the topic for the week.

Here are some favorites:

Add a Few Non-Fiction Titles

Next, you’ll want to add some informational books geared towards young explorers for your lessons. Here are some great books to get you started:

Winter Nature Activities

Finally, add in some fun Winter nature activities for hands-on learning and exploration with your early learners. Here are some of my favorite activities:

For even more Winter nature fun, try a Winter scavenger hunt. Send your kids outdoors with a list of seasonal items to find in nature. You might be surprised by what they bring back!

Nature Theme Preschool

Another idea would be to do a winter photo challenge together. Give your little explorers cameras and send them out into the backyard to capture images that match winter adjectives like “frozen,” “evergreen,” and “chilly.” Their unique perspective is sure to make these photos a real treasure!

Speaking of treasure, one of our favorite Winter nature activities involves giving each child a small box and sending them outside. They fill the box with things they think are “treasure.” Sometimes these winter treasures spark amazing lessons as we study nature together.

Wonderful Winter Nature Study Ideas

Your children will learn all about inter Nature through wonderful books, outdoor activities, science and activities in a winter theme nature study.

How will you incorporate the study of nature in your lessons this Winter? Will you read nature books for kids, set up a nature table for exploration, or go for a hike?

How do you plan to use these adorable Winter observation printables for nature study with your kids this year?

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Find these under the Winter Theme Section – Plus, over 300 FREE Printables and Lesson Plans

Nature Studies

Share your own Winter nature study plans in the comments. I can’t wait to read all your ideas!

Studies have shown that you will also love the following ideas if you like them. I have pulled them together for you right here!

Winter Nature Study for Kids