I have a free printable for the love of homeschooling nature study all year. And of course, my nature unit studies and free lapbooks can be paired with this printable for year long nature school exploration.
Too, it’s true we love homeschooling because not only can we have a nature school approach but we also choose to homeschool year round (by choice).
And nature studies are something you will never regret doing more of.
When I first started homeschooling, I wasn’t sure if nature studies were enough of an academic approach. Now, more than 20 years later, I’ve learned that is not any subject that can be explored through nature.
One of the best things about doing nature school year-round is that you don’t need a large backyard, a nearby forest, or an expensive nature curriculum to get started.
Don’t get me wrong, having access to the natural world is preferred but even visiting a park for the day is something most all of us have access to.
Plus, I kept my supplies together in a small backpack and a box in the car so when we had an opportunity for nature study we could seize the moment.
LIVING BOOKS FOR A NATURE STUDIES YEAR ROUND
First, look at these nature books that can be used as a spine or main text. There is no need to purchase an expensive curriculum.
6 Nature Study Books and Resources
Add one of these resources or books to your study about nature. They all give you a starting point or use one or two of them as a nature spine.
See the world in a whole new way! Acclaimed illustrator Julia Rothman combines art and science in this exciting and educational guide to the structure, function, and personality of the natural world. Explore the anatomy of a jellyfish, the inside of a volcano, monarch butterfly migration, how sunsets work, and much more. Rothman’s whimsical illustrations are paired with interactive activities that encourage curiosity and inspire you to look more closely at the world all around you.
The Handbook of Nature Study is a classic Charlotte Mason text. A big book full of information on pretty much every area of nature study from tools to birds, weather, and rocks.
This beautifully packaged facsimile of Edith Holden’s original diary is filled with a naturalist’s masterful paintings and delightful observations chronicling the English countryside throughout 1906. As one of the few true records of the time in print, the handwritten thoughts and paintings contained in The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady transport readers to a more refined, romantic, and simpler time.
Filled with both recognisable, and tropical flora, Botanicum is the ultimate companion guide to the variety of plants, and how they have evolved and grow.
Discover the interconnectedness of the natural world and learn why living things look and behave the way they do in a series of visually compelling information charts, maps, and cutaways, all illustrated in a nostalgic, vintage style. Packed with incredible facts about the natural world and the animals that populate it, the whole family will enjoy the full-page spreads grouped into the categories of habitats, species, and adaptations.
The Thinking Tree presents: A Creative Book of Observation, Drawing, Coloring, Writing & Discovery Through Nature, ideal for all ages (even adults!)
Creativity and discovery at its best, this journal is a bestseller among The Thinking Tree publications! Your nature-loving student will treasure this journal designed to ignite their wonder of the outdoors. With more than 180 lessons and beautiful illustrations, the Nature Study Journal invites the student to read, write, draw, color, explore and appreciate the outdoors while covering a variety of subjects such as science, poetry, observation instructions, and more.
If you live in a place that has 4 true seasons, it’s easier to follow my nature study topic ideas below.
But if you live in a state like I have in Texas where it’s warm and then hot, it’s still doable to do nature studies.
We just make our own snow.
NATURE STUDY TOPIC IDEAS BY SEASON FOR YEAR ROUND NATURE STUDIES
In addition, look at this suggested schedule of topics we did one year to coordinate with the seasons.
My year of nature school freebie had ideas ready for you. I am giving you another choice here.
JANUARY NATURE TOPIC
Winter wildlife.
Then look at these hands-on activities.
- Winter Craft Ideas for Kids Animals in Winter Fun Snow Slime
- Cardinal Birds in Winter and Birch Trees Easy Watercolor Kids Activity
- Inuit of the Arctic: How Animals Survive Harsh Winters Fun Blubber Activity
- Free Arctic Ground Squirrel Lapbook & Unit Study Resources
FEBRUARY NATURE TOPIC
Sky and space.
Also, here are some of my activities.
- Discovering the Stars: The Astronomy of Mesopotamia and How to Make a Clay Star Pattern Tablet
- About Astronomy and Space Science Fun Quick Unit Study
- Exploring Space and Astronomy Free Unit Study for Multiple Ages
- Galileo Discovery of Jupiter Moons and Fun Hands-On Moon Crater Experiment
- Meteors, Meteorites, Comets and Meteoroids Today And Make a Fun Windsock
MARCH NATURE TOPIC
Life cycles.
Add in my hands-on activities.
- Learning Through Art: The Life Cycle Of A Sea Star Stages & Survival
- Fun and Easy Hands-on Life Cycle Butterfly Activity for Kids
APRIL NATURE TOPIC
Migration.
Too, add activities.
MAY NATURE TOPIC
Amphibians and reptiles.
Then a few activities.
- Toads – Amphibians
- Free Printable Colorful Frog Diorama: Cool Frog Life Cycle Facts
- Why Is a Toad An Amphibian And Pondlife Facts & Make a Fun Toad House
- Fascinating Reptiles That Start with the Letter D | Turtle Craft
- Free Reptiles Lapbook for Kids Who Love Hands-on Learning
- Do Geckos Live in the Rainforest and 10 Facts About Reptiles
JUNE NATURE TOPIC
Garden theme.
In addition, here are a few ideas.
- How To Make A Dynamic Herb Garden Potion Sensory Bin
- 8 Peter Rabbit Garden Ideas | How To Make A Preschool Garden Box
- The Tale of Peter Rabbit Printables for a Fun Spring Unit Study.
- Fun Mr Mcgregor’s Vegetable Garden Simple Frugal Math Activity
- Easy Seeds and Gardening Unit Study for Kids (Middle – Upper Elementary)
- Gardening Projects For Homeschool Easy Composting With the Amazing Dr. George Carver (Free Printable About Compost)
JULY NATURE TOPIC
Pollinators.
And some activities are
- 8 Facts About Moths and a Fun Nature Elephant Hawk Moth Craft,
- Free Butterfly Lapbook For Kids Who Love Hands-On Learning,
- Free Butterfly Unit Study For Kids and Fun Sponge Stamping and
- Fascinating and Fun Honey Bees Unit Study and Lapbook for Kids.
AUGUST NATURE TOPIC
Biomes, ecosystems and habitats.
Also, look at How to Make an Easy Rainforest Triorama With Kids, How To Make Plastic Bottle Little Greenhouses | 5 Plastic Bottle Craft Ideas, How to Make a Biome Triorama That Explores Alaska’s Amazing Features, Where Did Swiss Family Robinson Land And Their Unique Homes | Cave Activity,
SEPTEMBER NATURE TOPIC
Rocks, gems and fossils.
Too, look at these activities.
- Rock and Mineral Project Ideas for Kids Who Love Hands-on
- How To Make Crystals | Facts About Crystals For Kids
- Free Homeschool Geology Unit Study
- Edible Rock Cycle Fudge | Hands-on Rock Activities & Free Notebooking Pages
- Rock Activities For Kindergarten And Fun Edible Rock Cycle
OCTOBER NATURE TOPIC
Storms and weather.
Then, my activities are:
- Weather Activities For Early Years and Free Printable Flashcards
- Free Weather Unit Study for Kids Who Love Hands-on Learning
- 7 Easy Cloud Crafts For Preschoolers | Types of Clouds Activity
- Welcome December Weather By Making an Easy Mitten Wreath With Kids
- Fun Felt Weather Chart & Free The Magic School Bus Kicks Up A Storm Worksheet
- Weather In A Bottle | How To Make An Amazing Tornado In A Jar
- 9 Hands on Weather Activities for Kids and Awesome Weather Sensory Tray
- 5 Simple Wind Energy Activities For Kids & Fun DIY Anemometer
- T Is For Simple Fun Thunderstorm Activities For Kindergarten
NOVEMBER NATURE TOPIC
Birds of prey.
And look at my posts Peregrine Falcon Unit Study and Lapbook and Fun Facts About Peregrine Falcons & How To Paint Them In Watercolor.
DECEMBER NATURE TOPIC
Animal tracks and signs.
Also, here are some activities.
- 10 Easy Nature Tips for Reading Nature’s Signs Freebie
- 10 Gross Scat Facts and How to Make Edible Scat
- Daniel Boone Explorer Black Bear Unit Study and Fun Edible Bear Poop.
Again, this is just one easy schedule you can follow. I’ve added hands-on ideas with each one to help get you started.
Then look at more nature study activities and printables.
MORE NATURE STUDY PRINTABLES AND ACTIVITIES
- Simple Nature Study for Preschoolers: Explore Nature with Playdough Prints
- Fun Nature Study Ideas and a Free Nature Tracker
- 26 Fun Nature Unit Studies for Multiple Ages
- Famous and Historic Trees Fun Nature and History Homeschool Unit Study
- How to Make an Easy Nature Paint Brush With Kids
- 20 Nature-Inspired Kids’ Novels to Nurture Interest In the Outdoors
- Kinder Gardening to Celebrate Nature and Science
- 7 Super Easy Nature Lapbooks Guaranteed to Beat Boredom
- Above & Below: Pond Unit Study, Hands-on Ideas, & Lapbook
- Seashore Beach Watching Unit Study and Seashore Lapbook
- Foraging and Feasting Nature Unit Study and Lapbook
- Hands-On Nature Study: Bird Color Bar Graphing Activity
- Free Wildflowers Unit Study & Lapbook
- Hands-On Mixed Media Flower Art Fun Nature Study
- Fun Homeschool Unit Study Egg to Sea Turtle Lesson Plans & Lapbook
- Hands-On Literature Nature Study: Simple Tree Craft
My free year of nature school printable is also organized by month.
For example, each month has the following parts to help you plan your year of nature studies, hands-on activities and topics.
- Driving Question
- Suggested Exploration Activities
- Learning Goals
- Materials & Resources
- Real Word Connection
- Reflection & Insights
- Next Steps & Continued Exploration
Now, how to grab the freebie. It’s a subscriber freebie.
HOW TO GET THE FREE YEAR ROUND NATURE SCHOOL PRINTABLE
1) CLICK HERE ON THIS LINK TO SIGN UP ON MY EMAIL LIST & TO GET THIS FREEBIE.
2) Grab the freebie instantly.
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