If your child loves exploring the great outdoors, collecting leaves, and spotting bugs or birds, then starting a nature journal is such a great way to capture all those discoveries. Nature journaling helps kids slow down, observe, and really connect with the natural world around them. It can turn a simple walk into a learning adventure, encouraging curiosity, creativity, and mindfulness all at once.
This free printable nature journal is designed for young children right up to older kids and even teens. You can use it at home, on a homeschool nature study day, or during family outdoor adventures. It’s perfect for spring and summer when everything is blooming, but just as fun in autumn and winter when there’s so much to notice as the seasons change.
Whether you’re heading into the woods, exploring your own backyard, or taking a mini adventure to the park, these printable nature journal pages make it easy to record everything you see, hear, and feel as you have lots of fun outdoors on your nature adventure.
You can print your own nature journal, punch holes, and bind it together or simply staple it and take it along on your next nature walk. Every page encourages observation, reflection, and creativity through nature journaling prompts, giving your child a beautiful keepsake of their time spent in nature.
Kids Nature Journal
This printable pack includes 18 beautiful pages inspired by nature journaling and Charlotte Mason’s gentle learning approach. Here’s a look at what’s included within the nature journal for kids.
Front Cover
The journal begins with a lovely illustrated cover featuring branches, ferns, snails, and butterflies. It sets the tone for calm, thoughtful nature study and reminds children that this is their very own nature notebook to fill with memories and discoveries.
Weekly Nature Observations
This page is all about noticing the little details in nature throughout the week. Children can jot down what they see each day, whether it’s a ladybird on a leaf or the first signs of spring.
The notes and reflections section helps develop observation skills and critical thinking, while also encouraging kids to look back and see how nature changes from day to day.
Monthly Weather Tracker
Here kids can track the weather for an entire month. It’s a great way to tie in science learning as they notice patterns and seasons. They can draw weather symbols or write quick notes on what they observe, helping them make connections between weather, temperature, and the natural world around them.
Weekly Weather Tracker
This version goes into a little more detail for each day. Children can draw small pictures to represent something special about that day, maybe sunshine, rain, or a birthday celebration. It’s a fun way to mix art with learning and can spark lots of conversations about the different ways weather affects our environment.
Nature Quote Page
Featuring an inspiring quote by Nicolette Sowder, this page celebrates the spirit of curiosity and independence that comes from time spent outdoors.
It reminds kids (and adults!) that connecting with nature builds imagination and resilience.
Weekly Me in Nature Reflection
This page gives space for a weekly photo or drawing, encouraging children to see themselves as part of nature. They can add a photo from their latest outdoor adventure and write about what they were exploring or how it made them feel. It’s such a creative way to help them reflect on their experiences.
Look Deep into Nature Quote Page
With a beautiful Albert Einstein quote, this page can be used as a divider or back cover. It’s a lovely reminder to keep looking closely at the natural world, because every observation teaches us something new.
Daily Nature Visual Journal
A blank page for drawing their favourite thing they’ve seen in nature that day. Kids can sketch a leaf, flower, bird, or insect, then write a few sentences about it underneath. This helps develop both art and writing skills and makes nature journaling a great cross-curricular learning activity.
Nature Animal Study Page
This page invites children to research and record information about an animal of their choice. They can draw it, note its characteristics, and include interesting facts. It’s perfect for homeschool lessons or Charlotte Mason-inspired nature study sessions. Kids can choose forest animals, sea creatures, or even bugs from their own backyard – there’s no limit!
Look What I Have Found
This page encourages children to collect and record something special they’ve discovered during their outdoor adventures. They can tape in a leaf, feather, flower or any natural object that they choose, and then describe what they see, smell, and feel about their specimen. It’s a wonderful sensory activity that deepens their connection with the natural world and strengthens observational skills.
Natural Environment Reflections
On this page, children can reflect on the different natural environments they’ve explored, whether that’s a beach, forest, garden, or park. They’re prompted to think about what they could see, smell, hear, and touch, which helps them notice details they might usually overlook.
There’s also space for them to research interesting facts, list animals they spotted, and note any specimens they collected. It’s a great way to turn every outdoor hour challenge into a meaningful learning experience.
My Nature Visual Board
This open-ended page is perfect for creativity and free expression. Children can fill it with photos, sketches, clippings, or small art pieces inspired by their outdoor adventures. It works as a blank page where they can arrange their favourite finds, creating a personal collage of memories from their nature journalling journey.
Notes Page
A simple lined notes page that can be used for writing reflections, jotting down new ideas, or recording short stories about their nature adventures. It’s a flexible space for both younger and older children to expand their learning in different ways and develop their writing skills through nature study.
Week at a Glance
This bonus planning page helps families or homeschool moms organise their weekly nature studies. You can write down daily outdoor activities, tasks, or nature study goals, keeping everything in one place. It’s a practical addition to your DIY nature journal and helps make consistent outdoor learning easier to plan.
Nature Unit Lesson Plan
This page allows parents or educators to plan a complete nature study unit, with sections for an overview, resources, and activities. It’s ideal for homeschool planning or for anyone wanting to build a themed week around topics like sea creatures, forest animals, or the changing seasons. It’s the perfect way to link nature exploration with structured learning activities.
Weekly Lesson Plans
The final pages provide space for detailed lesson planning across the week, from Monday through the weekend. You can note down outdoor activities, related reading, crafts, or observation prompts for each day. It’s a practical way to integrate nature journalling into your homeschool or after-school routine while keeping lessons creative and connected to the great outdoors.
Download the Free Printable Nature Journal
You can download and print your own nature journal pages below to start your child’s outdoor learning adventure. Each page can be printed multiple times, so you can reuse the journal throughout the year. Print on A4 paper or cardstock, then bind with a hole punch, ribbon, or staples to create your own DIY nature journal.
Terms of use: This free printable nature journal for kids is free for personal use and community use, do not redistribute this pdf file.
Nature journaling is such a perfect way for kids to slow down and notice the world around them. It helps them build observational skills, practice writing and drawing, and develop a lifelong love for nature.
Whether you’re a homeschool mom, a teacher, or just looking for meaningful outdoor activities, these printable nature journal pages will bring so much fun and learning to your days outdoors.
More Nature Activities for Kids
We hope you enjoyed all of these nature journal ideas and nature journal prompts. If your children enjoy exploring and recording their adventures, try our other nature crafts and learning activities too. From outdoor scavenger hunts to creative ways to study leaves, flowers, and bugs, there are so many ways to make nature study a daily part of your lives.
- 27 Fun and Simple Nature Activities for Kids
- Autumn Nature Puzzle
- Frozen Nature Ornaments
- Easy Forest School Activity: Building Mini Rafts with Kids
- Emotions Flower Face Craft
- Easy Cobweb Nature Craft
- Tree Boggart Nature Art
Please share this post on Pinterest or social media so other families can enjoy these free printable nature journal pages too!
Anna Marikar, mum of four and seasoned blogger, has spent over a decade sharing her parenting journey and passion for kid-friendly crafts and free printables.
Her easy-to-follow craft ideas and practical parenting advice have transformed In The Playroom into a cherished resource for parents.