How to Make and Keep a Nature Journal or Notebook

Making and keeping a nature journal or nature notebook is a fun way for kids (and adults) of all ages to study nature and record their observations and experiences in the natural world. This informative guide includes several ideas and resources to get you (and your little naturalist) started with nature journaling for educational purposes, personal development, or healing.

Nature always has secrets to share; learn how to make a nature journal (and keep one) with this beginning guide to nature journaling. Nature journals provide an expressive avenue for children and adults of all ages to develop mindfulness and deepen their relationship with nature and understanding of the great outdoors.

This complete step-by-step DIY tutorial shows how to create a simple nature jounal or notebook using common household items in minutes. This handy guide to nature journaling also shares easy activity ideas for using a nature journal, so anyone of any age or ability can start exploring, observing, and recording the many secrets and wonders of nature they encounter.

A nature journal provides an easy way to slow down and pay closer attention to the world around you. When you pause to observe and write or sketch what you notice, you start becoming more aware of the subtle details you might have overlooked before. Over time, these small notes and drawings become a record of the seasons, weather, and life around you.

Teach your little naturalist how to keep a nature notebook for fun, to connect with the natural world, or as a part of your classroom, nature school, or homeschooling learning adventures. A bird on a fence, the shape of a leaf, the color of the sunset, or the sound of the wind in the trees can all become part of the story of the day. Alternatively, use this informative guide to nature journaling to create your own personal nature journal.

First published on January 4, 2015, this DIY tutorial about making and keeping a nature journal is regularly updated to improve its content and keep it current. You might also enjoy this list of outdoor learning ideas and nature activities for kids.

What is a Nature Journal or Notebook?

Keeping a nature journal helps people build a stronger connection to and understanding of the natural world. Both children and adults can use a nature journal to record what they see, hear, smell, feel, sense, and intuit outdoors. All you need is a small notebook and a pencil to unlock curiosity, learning and creativity, but of course, there are other simple supplies and helpful educational printables you can also include.

Nature journals and nature notebooks can vary slightly depending on the individual using them and their focus. However, these nature study tools are similar in that they provide a way to document experiences and observations in nature and the great outdoors. You might also enjoy making nature sensory bottles with the specimens you collect.

Nature journals and notebooks are often used as personal record-keeping tools and scientific study aids. Individuals can use them to document their observations, thoughts, questions, and understanding of the natural world. They can also be places to write reflections, poems, or short nature stories, or to create artistic drawings to deepen their knowledge of and connection to nature. One could also create separate nature logs, dividing them by study area or by type of nature notebook.

Sometimes, nature journals and notebooks combine several types of nature logs: a diary, sketchbook, and scientific log. Combining different journaling practices allows people to connect with the natural world, deepen their understanding of their environment and the world around them, engage in helpful mindfulness practices to improve self-regulation skills, and soothe the soul in the magic of the great outdoors.

Immersing oneself in nature is a wellness practice that continues to demonstrate its many physiological and psychological benefits for children and adults. Whether you call it forest bathing (Shinrin-yoku), forest therapy, nature therapy, woodland therapy, green therapy,
Friluftsliv, or ecotherapy, working with a nature journal is an excellent way to increase these physical and mental-emotional benefits via nature connection.

A Nature Journal is the Perfect Place to Grow Your Thoughts about the natural world:

Nature journals are the perfect place to grow your thoughts, feelings, ideas, observations, and experiences with nature. Keeping a nature journal offers a rich opportunity for children and adults of all ages to develop mindfulness and study the natural world. Writing in a nature notebook also helps kids develop a deeper connection to and relationship with the earth.

“Nature always has secrets to share.”

~Nell Regan Kartychok. (Founder of Rhythms of Play)

A nature journal can be kept in various formats, including physical notebooks, digital documents, or even dedicated apps. Regardless of the format, the primary purpose of a nature journal is to create a space where you can record your interactions with and observations of nature, whether in your backyard, at a local park, on a hike in the wilderness, or during travels in whatever way works best for you.

Nature notebooks are also an excellent place to record any nature study or outdoor learning activities you or your children (or students) complete each week. Whenever you head out on an adventure into the great outdoors, take your nature study journal to write, draw, or paint your observations, feelings, and experiences with nature and the wild. You might also enjoy reading Caring for Earth. It includes several small steps you can take to create a better future for our children.

What is the difference between a nature journal and a nature notebook?

Nature journals and nature notebooks serve as valuable tools for engaging with the natural world, yet they differ slightly in focus and structure. A nature journal emphasizes personal reflection and creativity, often featuring sketches, poetry, and expressive observations of flora and fauna, fostering a deeper emotional connection with nature. In contrast, a nature notebook is typically more structured, focusing on organized notes, species identification, and data collection, making it an ideal educational tool for scientific documentation or study.

Despite these differences, both nature logs can complement each other: a journal enhances the personal experience of nature and can be included within the structure of a nature notebook. At the same time, a notebook can aid systematic observation, learning, and reflection, in the same way a nature journal does. Both nature study options offer several benefits for kids and adults, including fostering mindfulness, enhancing focus, honing observational skills, and providing a richer understanding of biomes and ecosystems, whether through artistic expression, creative writing, or detailed scientific analysis.

How are Nature Journals and Notebooks structurally different?

Nature journals and notebooks differ structurally in terms of organization and presentation. A nature journal often features freeform layouts, with pages filled with sketches, watercolor illustrations, and spontaneous reflections that capture the essence of a moment in nature. So, nature journals are usually made of paper bound together, or an artist’s sketchbook is used as the journal. 

In contrast, a nature notebook is typically more organized and often divided into sections or categories with tabs or dividers for systematic data collection, such as species lists, observational notes, or scientific measurements. This format prioritizes functionality, making it easy to reference specific information or divide subjects by category. Usually, as with the DIY nature notebook craft tutorial below, an actual notebook is used to construct it.

In other words, the tutorial below teaches how to make one with a standard notebook. While nature notebooks and nature journals each document experiences in nature, a nature journal invites personal creativity through nature drawings, poems, and reflections, whereas a notebook emphasizes scientific categorization and documentation. That said, either can be used for each purpose, simply design it to reflect the types of study or reflection you are most interested in. Make it your own!

Related: Sorting and Classifying Rocks

How do you make a Nature Journal or Notebook?

There are several ways to put a nature study journal together, and you can use many different types of notebooks to make a nature notebook. So, this nature study tutorial includes two complete tutorials with step-by-step instructions. Scroll down to see “How to Make a Nature Journal” and “How to Make a Nature Notebook.” Each complete step-by-step tutorial includes a separate list of recommended supplies and materials. You might also enjoy this gratitude journal printable or our list of printable gratitude journal prompts.

First, use any of the nature journal ideas below to assist your children with a homemade nature notebook, or purchase one of the ready-made options at the bottom of this article. I recommend making or buying one for yourself while you are at it. Mother Nature loves to whisper her secrets to young and old alike, so it’s best to be prepared so you can jot things down whenever inspiration strikes. When your nature journal or notebook is finished, gather the nature study printables (such as these bird-watching printables) below, discover nature notebook entry ideas, and learn how to keep a nature journal with the helpful tips included after the nature journal craft tutorials.

What is Nature Study?

Learn more about Nature Study on our Nature Study Resource Page.

How to Make a Nature Journal:

Making a nature study journal is a fun and easy activity for children of preschool age and up, either at home or in the classroom. First, gather nature journal craft materials from the list below and scroll down to follow the step-by-step directions to make your homemade nature journal.

Alternatively, you can scroll down to learn “How to Make a Nature Notebook” using the following tutorial. Or, buy a pre-made sketchbook or guided nature journal–have a look at the list of purchase options for children and adults toward the bottom of this post. You might also enjoy reading 15 Reasons to Climb a Tree.

1. Gather nature journal craft supplies:

• Recycled cardboard (Large cereal and cracker boxes work great for this craft purpose!)
• Lined binder paper binder paper (optional)
• Blank paper (optional)
• Cardstock or super heavyweight cardstock (heavyweight paper is best for attaching nature specimens and can also be used with watercolor paints.)
• Watercolor paper 8.5×11 inches or 9×12 inches (optional)
• Grid or Graph filler paper (optional)
• Dotted filler paper (optional)
• 3-hole-punch
• Loose-leaf binder rings, ribbon, jute twine, yarn, or anything else you can use to bind or tie a nature journal together. (Using binder rings makes binding the homemade nature journal together easy, you can always increase the size of the ring, or put completed pages away in a file when needed.)
• Decorating supplies (optional): crayons, colored pencils, markers, portable watercolor paints, nature stickers, contact paper, Mod Podge (or another white glue), and fabric.

2. Make a front and back cover for your homemade nature journal:

• Grab some cardboard from the recycle bin and cut two nine-by-twelve-inch pieces for the front and back cover of the Nature journal.
• I like to use recycled cardboard from cereal boxes because it is thin, light, and flexible, and comes in sizes big enough to make nature journals with regular 8.5 X 11 inch paper.

3. Decorate the front and back cover or wrap it in contact paper or fabric (optional):

• Invite kids to decorate the front and back covers of the homemade nature journals with crayons, colored pencils, markers, watercolor paints, or stickers.
• Another great way to cover a homemade journal is to wrap both pieces of cardboard in contact paper with a nature print.
• Or glue fabric with a natural print to the front and back cover in a decoupage style. If you’d like to try this method, follow the steps below:

How to Decopage the Front and Back Cover for a Nature Journal:

1. Apply Mod Podge (or a slightly watered-down white glue) with a flat or foam brush for applying glues and adhesives to both sides of each piece of cardboard for the front and back of the homemade nature journal. (Mod Podge fabric glue works great for this purpose.)
2. Next, wrap the fabric around both pieces of cardboard, one at a time. Fold it around the cardboard like you would wrap giftwrap around a flat gift, and glue it to the inside (or backside) of the frount and back cover.
3. Gently smooth out any bubbles with your hand, the edge of a ruler, or a rubber roller brayer (if you have one).
4. Let the front and back nature journal cover dry completely before moving on to the next step.
5. Finally, trim off any excess fabric once it is finished drying, if needed.

4. Punch holes in the front and back cover:

• To complete the front and back cover of the nature journal, use a 3-hole paper punch to make holes along the long edge of the cardboard.
• You may need to create these holes with something sharper than a hole punch if it is wrapped in fabric or contact paper.

5. Bind the nature journal and nature study supplies together:

• Place paper between the front and back covers of the journal.
• Add one or all of the following recommended paper options: lined binder paper, grid paper, dot paper, heavyweight cardstock, watercolor paper, or botany paper (use a 3-hole punch to punch holes in the paper if needed).
• Including these paper options allows you to write, create art, make bullet journal pages, and collect nature specimens such as flowers and leaves. Please add the type and amount of paper you want to use in your homemade journal.
• Bind the nature journal with three loose-leaf binder rings, or 3 pieces of ribbon, jute twine, or anything else that binds or ties a homemade journal together.
• Slip the rings or twine through the three holes, and snap or tie to secure the front and back cover, paper, and other materials inside the nature journal.

Related: Nature-Inspired Sensory Discovery Bottles

How to Make a Nature Notebook:

Another easy way to make a nature study journal is to use a store-bought binder or notebook. All you need to do is add the type of paper and supplies you like to create nature journal entries and collect specimens. Follow the simple step-by-step directions below if you’d like to make a homemade nature notebook. Otherwise, scroll back up to make a DIY nature journal with the instructions above.

1. Gather nature notebook supplies:

Gather the notebook supplies you would like to use to make your nature notebook from the materials below.

• View 3-ring notebook binder (1-inch binder, 2-inch binder, or 3-inch binder). Large binders have more room for pockets, pouches, and collecting nature specimens, but are less portable.
• Binder paper
• Cardstock or extra-thick heavyweight cardstock (makes good botany paper)
• Graph paper (optional)
• Dot paper (optional)
• Watercolor paper 8.5×11 or 9×12 inches (optional)
• 3-hole-punch
• Pocket dividers with holes, pouches, and notebook pockets with zippers (optional)
• Stickers, such as these nature stickers. (You might also like THESE or THESE.)
• Something to write or create art with. Choose from the following options: Crayons, colored pencils, watercolor pencils, sharpeners, gel pens, markers, a portable watercolor paint palette with a water brush, etc.

2. Fill your nature notebook with paper and nature journal supplies:

Next, add the nature notebook supplies you want to put in your notebook:

1. Add lined binder paper to the nature notebook for writing.
2. Use a three-hole punch to punch holes in a small stack of cardstock and place it inside the binder.
3. Next, put grid paper, dot paper, watercolor paper, botany paper (or heavyweight cardstock), etc., into the nature notebook.
4. Finally, pocket dividers with holes, pockets with zippers, and pouches for specimens and art supplies should be added.

3. Create nature art for the notebook binder view window (Optional):

• Invite children from toddlers to preschoolers, kindergarteners to tweens, and teens to decorate the front and back covers of their nature notebooks in any way they like, using your preferred craft supplies from the list in step one.
• Alternatively, decorate a sheet of paper with nature stickers for the front cover and spine of your nature notebook.

Related: Best Art Supplies for Kids

Other Notebooks, Sketch Books, and Pre-Made Options for Nature Journaling:

I like to use a blank nature journal—a watercolor Moleskine artist sketch pad that is small enough to throw in my purse (or a small hiking backpack) and big enough for my creative ideas, thoughts, poems, and nature art. These mini craft paper notebooks, or this gorgeous Tree of Life leather journal, also make great nature journals for kids and adults. A few more nature journals for kids you can buy are below:

Pre-Made Nature Journals for Kids You Can Buy:

If you want to purchase a guided nature study journal for kids, look at the options below:

• A Kid’s Nature Journal
• Nature Journal For Little Explorers
• Hiking Journal For Kids
• A Nature Journal for Kids
• The Nature Journal for Kids

Related: Nature Memory Matching Game

How to Keep a Nature Journal or Notebook:

Keeping a nature journal can be an educational and awareness-enhancing ritual for anyone who engages in it. Remember, there’s no right or wrong way to do it. Studying nature, writing, or drawing about experiences in nature is a simple path to connect with the natural world. However, like most investigations, there are many paths to the same truth. Mother Nature whispers her secrets and shares magical tales with those wise enough to listen.

Take your journal or notebook with you and record your observations and experiences. Some people like to write about how they feel in nature, while others enjoy drawing or painting their rich experiences in the natural world. Others use them to conduct studies or scientific investigations. Record your observations and express your feelings using whatever medium speaks to you. Add pictures, poetry, song lyrics, flowers, leaves, and other specimens from the natural world.

The options are endless: make your nature journal reflect your experiences with nature, create a novel rich with understanding, an artistic masterpiece, a scrapbook of varied mediums, a notebook of scientific discovery, or anything else the subject matter requires or your heart desires. For example, a birding journal could be a creative or scientific nature study companion (or both), depending on the individual and that person’s intent. Stay curious, and allow your intuition to guide your journey into the natural world. Here are a few simple tips to get started with nature journaling:

1. Use a Dedicated Journal or Notebook:

Choose a journal or notebook you enjoy using from the options and recommendations above. Make a DIY nature journal or a homemade notebook with the step-by-step instructions above, or purchase your favorite store-bought option from the recommendations in the previous section. It can be plain, lined, premade, a notebook filled with your favorite nature journal supplies, or even a sketchbook.

2. Take Your Nature Journal or Notebook Outdoors with You:

Always bring your nature notebook or journal and something to write, draw, or create art with whenever you head out into the great outdoors. Use it to record your observations in the wilderness and all your experiences with nature and her bounty. Nature always has secrets to share. Mother Earth wants to share her abundance with you and your children. Pay attention, and use your senses; what do you notice?

3. Choose a Favorite Spot to Observe Nature Outdoors:

Find a regular spot to sit and observe nature outdoors. These observation spots are often called a “sit spot.” Choosing a location to sit and observe nature by visiting it regularly will help you become more aware of the subtle changes that occur throughout the seasons and the year’s rhythm. This special place is often called a “Sit Spot.” Choose a favorite spot you love and wouldn’t mind sitting for a while each day or week. It can be in your backyard, at a local park, under a tree, by a shore, on a bench near a hiking trail, or anyplace else that speaks to you.

4. Develop Mindfulness in the Natural World: Notice, Become Aware, and Pay Attention:

Slow down to spend time just looking around, sensing, and becoming aware of the natural environment’s sights, sounds, scents, and textures. Record any details that stand out to you. What do you observe or sense? Notice the colors, shapes, sounds, feelings, smells, textures, and movements. Open your senses and take your time. Write or draw descriptions of plants, animals, and weather conditions, and note any changes you observe. For example, write down, document, or draw any subtle seasonal shifts you notice or different animal behaviors in your nature journal, such as a bird building a nest in the springtime. Here are some clues in nature you might become aware of as each season transforms into the next:

• Fall or Autumn
• Winter
• Spring
• Summer

5. Use Nature Journal Prompts:

If you’re unsure where to start, use prompts to help you focus on your thoughts, emotions, and ideas. Ask yourself questions such as “What sounds do I hear?” or “What colors stand out today?” More nature journal prompts you can use are provided below the list of things you can include in a nature journal in the next section.

6. Include Nature Art:

Draw what you see in nature, even if you’re not an artist. Sketching landscapes or drawing detailed pictures of the flora, fauna, animals, and insects you observe can help you notice the details you might otherwise miss. Dare to express yourself with art, no matter what it looks like. Allow whatever unfolds to be as it is without judgment. Sketch artists did not hone their craft in a single day, nor will you. Continued practice will bring new life into each sketch or illustration you create. Everyone is an artist, but it takes a lot of practice. You can do it, trust yourself, get out of the way, and let it flow onto the page. You might also enjoy this list of nature crafts and art ideas made with natural materials.

7. Go on Wild Adventures Near and Far:

Contrast helps create understanding. Allow the place you observe nature regularly to inform the baseline of your knowledge, but visit other wild places near and far to improve your awareness and deepen your connection. Visit other parks, nature reserves, and wild spaces to document different areas over time. For more ideas, look at this list of nature activities.

8. Ask Questions, and Ask More Questions:

Start with simple questions about the world around you and go from there. For example, ask questions like: Why does the sky change color? What makes a plant grow? Write these questions down in your nature journal or notebook. Then write down any answers you intuit, or any other questions that form. In other words, let your natural curiosity and imagination lead you on a journey deep into nature to discover the answers to your most pertinent questions.

9. Add Nature Journaling Activities to your Daily or Weekly Rhythm:

Regularly write, sketch, and record observations, questions, and experiences in your nature journal or notebook whenever possible. Add the habit of working with your nature journal to your daily or weekly rhythm to solidify your connection with or learning from nature in this experiential way. Consistency helps improve observation skills, deepen one’s connection to nature, and increase one’s understanding of the world.

10. Set Curiosity Goals:

List topics or skills you want to investigate and schedule regular time to explore these interests. Exploring our interests is the most enjoyable way to learn. Consider what you most want to know about the natural world, and find fun ways to discover its mysteries. Or, ask your children or students questions about their interests to help them determine their curiosity goals. (Click either link to learn more about setting or achieving goals.)

11. Spend Time in Review and Reflection:

It’s a good idea to read through your entries occasionally. Notice your thoughts and observe how they evolve as you learn and grow in awareness of the natural world in tandem with the number of pages of your journal or notebook.

What to include in a nature journal?

Have you ever asked what you should put in a nature journal or what to record or write about? A nature journal provides a lovely space to connect with the natural world, document your observations, and foster a deeper appreciation for the environment around you. Here are a few things you might consider including in your nature journal:

Date and Location:

• Always start with the date and the location where you’re making your observations in a nature notebook.
• This helps you track changes over time and space and better interpret what the information or data is telling you.

Weather and Conditions:

• Note the weather conditions, temperature, and any other relevant environmental factors that might influence what you observe.

Observations:

• Document or describe what you see, hear, smell, and feel in detail in your nature journal or notebook.
• This could include descriptions of plants, animals, insects, weather, landscapes, textures, sounds, etc.

Sketches and Drawings:

• Include drawings, sketches, or paintings of what you’re observing in your nature journal. You don’t need to be an artist; these visual representations can help capture details that might be difficult to describe in words.
• Encourage children to choose something to write about, draw, or paint in their journals. If they have trouble coming up with ideas for nature journal entries, give them a few suggestions—a tree, flower, bird, or animal—or something else to focus on.
• We highly recommend the Laws Guide Book to Nature Drawing and Journaling. And we recommend a few more nature journaling resources to help you and your children keep a journal at the bottom of this post.

Species Identification:

• If you can identify a plant, animal, or insect, note its common and scientific names.
• If you need more clarification, you can also research these later with the field guides and resources listed at the bottom of this post or on this list of Nature Study Supplies.

Behavior and Interactions:

• Describe the behaviors and interactions you witness.
• For example, you might document how a bird feeds, how insects interact with flowers, or how animals communicate.

Personal Reflections:

• Allow your nature journal to reflect your experiences with nature.
• Write about how you feel in nature or any thoughts or emotions that arise during your observations in the natural world.
• Let your intuition guide you; give the still, small voice within you a chance to speak up for itself.
• Ask questions and reflect on what you’re observing to increase understanding.
• Consider how each experience makes you feel and the connections it sparks within you.

Questions and Curiosities:

• Jot down any questions that arise during your observations. This can lead to further research and learning.

Collections:

• Collect leaves, feathers, or flowers to press or paste into your journal. (Please be mindful of local regulations and environmentally sustainable practices.)
• Press flowers, leaves, feathers, or other interesting natural items into your journal if desired.
• Attach nature specimens to the pages of your notebook with glue (heavyweight cardstock or botany paper works best for this purpose), or use clear adhesive pockets to preserve them.

Quotes, Short Stories, or Poems:

• Include quotes, short nature stories, poems, or other bits of literature that resonate with your observations in your nature journal.

Photographs:

• You can print and paste photographs of your observations into your journal.
• Or, if you’re using a digital journal, you can include photos directly.

Comparisons:

• Over time, compare observations from different seasons, years, or locations.
• This can help you understand the changes that occur in nature.

Environmental Notes:

• Consider including information about conservation efforts, environmental challenges, or any news related to the natural world.

Mindfulness and Meditation:

• Use your Nature Journal to reflect on your mindfulness and meditation experiences in nature.

Maps and Diagrams:

• If you’re exploring a specific area, consider sketching maps or diagrams to better understand the natural landscape.

Creative Writing:

• Write short stories, poems, or descriptions inspired by your observations.

Field Notes:

• If you’re exploring an area, make notes about the terrain, the path you took, and any unique landmarks.

There are no strict rules for what should be in a nature journal. It’s a personal reflection of your relationship with the natural world. Let your creativity flow and adapt your journal to your interests and experiences. There are a few recommended items, nature journal printables, and other resources that you can include with your nature journal or notebook on the lists below.

Related: Nature Crafts and Art Ideas

Recommended Items to Include with your Nature Journal or Notebook:

Here are a few items that make studying nature even more fun! Look at the list of supplies for kids below, and check out our list of Nature Study Supplies for more fun ideas!

• Butterfly net and butterfly garden
• Critter cage or keeper
• Pencil boxes, small plastic bins with and without dividers, and sturdy notebook pouches for holding and carrying specimens and supplies
• And art supplies, including drawing pencils, crayons, colored pencils, and portable watercolor paints with a water brush. For more recommended art materials, see the best art supplies for kids and why young artists should use them.

Educational Nature Journal Page Templates & Resources:

• Printable Squirrel Behavior Tally Sheet | Rhythms of Play Learning Center.
• Bird Watching Printables | Rhythms of Play Learning Center
• What’s that Bird? Bug? Animal?  | The Crafty Classroom.
• Leaf Collecting template | Kidzone.
• Nature Scavenger Hunt Printable Library | Rhythms of Play Learning Center

Nature Journal Entry Prompt Ideas for Kids:

Here are a few writing prompt ideas for nature journals or notebooks for kids or adults. Each can be slightly modified for the desired age group.

• Take your nature study journal whenever you head out on an adventure.
• Write, draw, and paint in your notebook or journal to record experiences with nature. (Don’t forget to date entries!)
• Write thoughts, feelings, ideas, observations, experiences, and relationships with the natural world.
• Encourage your child to choose something to focus on and draw or paint, such as a flower, a tree, a bug, or a bird.
• If your child is too young to write, you can let them draw and then write down what they tell you, without editing what they say or how they said it. After all, it is their journal.
• Add poetry or quotes that are meaningful to you and related to your experience with nature.
• Place, trace, or press the natural specimens you collect inside it.
• Download the free printable templates below for specific observations and nature journal activities.

Easy Nature Journaling Tips for Preschoolers and Kindergarteners:

Encourage children not yet reading and writing—toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergarteners—to use crayons or colored pencils to draw or doodle their feelings, experiences, observations, and interpretations of the natural world. Or, invite them to paint what they see and observe with a portable watercolor palette and brush. If children have trouble coming up with ideas for nature journal entries, offer a focus, such as writing about the sounds they hear, or anything they notice other than sight.

Next, ask toddlers and preschoolers about their experiences. Ask them questions about what they saw, felt, heard, sensed, etc., and write down what they tell you without editing what they say. Remember, there is no right or wrong way to make or keep a nature journal. As parents and educators, we must value the children’s authentic expressions in our care. Encourage kids from preschoolers to teens to express themselves in whatever way comes naturally to them.

Children and adults also enjoy gluing nature specimens into their nature notebooks and collecting them in pockets, pouches, bins, and boxes. For example, kids love to press flowers in their nature journals and glue them to the pages, as shown in the photo below.

Related: The Best Nature Study Supplies for Kids

Recommended Reading for Keeping a Nature Journal:

Below is a list of our favorite nature study or journaling guides and resource books. These books can help you (and your children or students) keep a nature journal and act as a springboard to your learning adventures in the great outdoors. Also, look at Nature Study Supplies and these birding resources for more of our favorite nature books and field guides for kids and adults!

Naturalist Books by John Muir Laws:

John Muir Laws is a well-known naturalist with a few valuable resources I recommend for anyone interested in Nature journaling. The nature study books and nature journal by John Muir Laws on the list below are fantastic for children and adults wanting to deepen their nature journal practice.

• The Laws Guide to Nature Drawing and Journaling: Laws provides a beautiful combination of art and science in this nature art how-to guide for becoming a better artist and a more attentive naturalist. In straightforward text complemented by step-by-step illustrations, dozens of exercises lead the hands and minds of young and old alike through creating accurate reproductions of plants and animals, landscapes, skies, and more.
• The Laws Guide to Drawing Birds: This nature journal book by John Muir, Laws, shows beginning nature journalists how to blend artistic technique with details that make drawing the vehicle for seeing and drawing each bird. This beautiful how-to guide to drawing our wild feathered friends can help artists hone their bird drawing skills and expertly guide those who insist they can’t draw birds. 
• How to Teach Nature Journaling: This book expands on the philosophy and methods of The Laws Guide to Nature Drawing and Journaling above. It puts together curriculum plans, advice, and in-the-field experience so that educators of all stripes can leap into journaling with their students. The approaches are designed to work in various ecosystems and settings and are suitable for classroom teachers, outdoor educators, camp counselors, and homeschooling parents.
• The Laws Sketchbook for Nature Journaling: This book provides a great starting point for anyone interested in the practice and joy of getting out, observing, and recording nature. Sturdy covers and a lay-flat sewn binding make field sketching easy, and artists of all levels will appreciate the eighty blank pages of high-quality paper suitable for pen, pencil, and light washes. In addition, this journal includes tips, techniques, and advice from master nature journalist and teacher Jack Laws.

Nature Study Books by Anna Comstock:

Anna Comstock’s Handbook of Nature Study is essential for all budding naturalists. Today, you can purchase this book in its original single-volume black-and-white format or as separate volumes available with color pictures:

• Handbook of Nature Study (original single volume)
• Alternatively, purchase this massive handbook in smaller volumes:
  • Earth and Sky
  • Trees and Garden Flowers
  • Wildflowers, Weeds, and Cultivated Crops
  • Fish, Reptiles, and Amphibians
  • Birds
  • Insects

A few Other Favorite Books and Resources for Nature Journaling:

Here are a few more valuable nature journaling resources I recommend for children and adults interested in nature journaling:

• The Nature Handbook: A Guide to Observing the Great Outdoors. This handbook of nature study explores and explains nature through these connecting patterns, revealing them to a wide range of nature lovers.
• Nature Anatomy by Illustrator Julia Rothman: This book for kids combines art and science into an exciting, educational guide. Rothman’s whimsical illustrations are paired with interactive activities that encourage curiosity and inspire children to look more closely at the world around them.
• Keeping a Nature Journal by Claire Leslie Walker: Leslie’s accessible style of teaching people to see, witness, and appreciate the wonders of nature is a classic guide still used by individuals, groups, and educators, from elementary school teachers to college-level instructors.

Nature Journal Resources for Kids and Adults:

DIY Nature journals make it fun for kids and adults to study nature. Record observations, create art, and write learning experiences in the natural world. Start one today! For more information, please look at our Nature Study Resource Page.

You may also be interested in this fantastic collection of Outdoor Learning Ideas and Nature Study Supplies for kids. Learn more about Rhythms of Play HERE.

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