Nature Walks
Nature Walks: Can you imagine this scenery, green grass, fresh air, lots of freedom and lots of space. It is a wonderful space to relax and decompress. Nature is a peaceful place with no busy lifestyles and no cars, only trees, nature and possibly animals. The possibilities in nature are endless.
What are Nature Walks?
A walk in nature.
Why do nature walks?
“Just living is not enough, one must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower.”
Hans Christian Andersen
Benefits of Nature Walks:
Boosts mental health
Gets blood flowing through every part of your body.
Restore your well-being
Appreciate nature.
Breath.
Meditate.
Chill, Calming and relaxing
Inspiring.
A way to get the kids out of the house.
Bonding time with family and friends.
Learn in nature.
Freedom to be your real self.
A way to Destress.
Where to go for Nature Walks:
Botanical gardens
Game range
Walk around your neighbourhood or complex.
Senses to learn and focus on your nature walk:
Sights: animals, leaves, environment, shapes, water features, Animal hives, colors, sky, trees.
Smells: dirt, earth, flowers.
Touch: leaves, moss, barks of trees, sand, different leaves, pebbles, sticks.
Sounds: Birds, unusual sounds, waterfall, dogs bark, wind blowing
Other things to take note of: sunlight, soil moisture, temperature, wind, water flow etc
Nature Journaling:
You may buy a nature journal or notebook or make your own. A ring-binder, art sketchbook (plain notebook), or a water colour pad are other options.
How to Nature Journal:
Paint, write or draw the nature setting that you can see ahead of you. Your writing, painting and drawing can be inspired by all the things you hear, smell, see and feel. Breathe deeply, relax, clear your mind and brainstorm through notes, sketches, paintings, poems and photographs.
Nature Journal Prompts:
Brain Dump.
What you like about this place.
Map how to get there.
Pencil sketches of the plants, environment, the sky and animals you see on your nature walks.
Write notes on the colours, shape and size of the leaves, plants and animals.
Take pictures of what you see. They can be printed, laminated into your nature journal or framed later.
Sketches of pathways or trees.
Scents you are reminded of. Familiar scents and childhood memories that they bring back.
How the things in the environment grow, eat, live and interact with the environment.
How the environment and its elements make you feel.
Poems and quotes personal or famous.
Notes on how to preserve nature.
The ecosystem.
Benefits of nature.
Respecting nature.
Lessons in nature.
Creative writing such as something interesting, unique and colour coded findings.
How you can make positive changes.
A blog post idea.
Songs you are reminded of at the moment.
Whatever things you are inspired by.
Tracings and rubbings seeds, leaves, bark, walls etc.
Newsprint from newspapers and magazines.
What you learn on your nature walks.
Your children’s reactions.
What to carry of your Nature Walk with kids?
Binoculars
Water
Scavenger hunt sheet
Snacks or picnic basket
Magnifying glass
Hat, sunscreen (weather appropriate attire)
Paper, wax crayons, pen or pencil
Spectacles
Extra clothing
Nature journal
Comfy shoes and clothes
Bird, plant and tree identification book or app on your phone
Small First aid kit
Natural string such as jute or cotton, rope or washy tape.
Bags for collecting loose parts and nature crafts.
Camera or phone.
A bag to put in messy clothes (just in case).
Any personal medication (depending on the time spent out). Such as allergy medication.
Pieces of Natural fibers and materials
Books on and about nature
Watercolour paint tins
Scavenger Hunt Sheet:
Lizards
Birds
Sky
Rocks and pebbles
Leaves
Water feature
Acorns
Ladybugs
Grass
Anthills
Flower
Insects
Vines
Sand
An interesting and unique thing
Something brown
One blue thing
A stone
Something green
Clouds
Spider webs
Fun activities to do with toddlers in Nature:
Making shapes with acorns or pebbles and sticks
Make paintbrushes with sprigs, acorns, leaves, pinecorns, etc
Watch the sunrise and or sunset.
Twig art and crafts.
Trash picking
Balancing on logs.
Nature word search.
Nature walk senses activity
Letters in the environment
I spy
Different shapes in the environment game.
Paint in nature
Plant a tree if permitted
Create a journey stick.
Create or collect elements for Nature tables.
Crafts with natural elements.
Sensory play ideas with nature.
Nature books
Sing and dance.
Shape games
Imitate animals
Sit, lay down and observe
Kicking and running through leaves
Drawing in sand with logs and sticks
Sensory calming bottle from nature
Meditate.
Listen to birds.
Hike.
Relax.
Nature sensory bin
Nature stamps
Rock painting
Learning and exploring different natural textures.
Math
Cloud watching and pointing out shapes in the clouds.
What to take home from your nature walk:
What you came with.
Garbage.
Always check with the area if you are permitted to carry things out of the area.
Fallen flowers, tree bark, leaves, seeds, feathers, fallen skins etc.
In Conclusion: Remember to take it slow, have fun, relax and follow the child. Be prepared to get dirty. Take as much time as you need so it would be a great idea to keep your schedule open for that day. Be sure to clean up after yourself. Don’t cut anything out or destroy any nature. Be mindful and take pictures if you can’t take it home. Especially if it is rare. Be creative.
More from MrsChettyLife: Unique: Celebrating uniqueness Unique – MrsChettyLife (mrschettylifestyle.co.za)
Nature Craft reads: https://nurturestore.co.uk/nature-arts-crafts-activities
https://livingmontessorinow.com/50-creative-ways-use-materials-nature-walks/
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