This post is part of “Your Green Hour Survival Guide,” a series which I hope will provide you with inspiration to make getting outside every day a habit.
Fridays around here have long been home to my regular “Fun Friday” posts. In fact, in the two years since I started this blog, I’ve amassed close to 100 posts featuring simple ways to explore nature right in your own backyard.
To make all these activities easier for you to find, I recently added a section over there in the right-hand column called “Backyard Nature Fun.” The next time you need some encouragement for getting your 15 minutes outside, head over there and check it out.
Here’s a little explanation of what you’ll find:
Gardens/Flowers/Trees
Want some inspiration for gardening with your little one? Or maybe you want to know how to explore a flower or make a wish on a dandelion. Here’s where you’ll also find out how to start your own backyard field guide.
Give a Kid a Camera
Give A Kid a Camera is a monthly series highlighting recent submissions to the Flickr pool. I supply some inspiration for what to shoot, you show us what nature looks like through the eyes of your explorer(s).
Holiday Activities
Connecting with nature during holidays can be especially fun. My favorite activity here so far is making magic reindeer food.
Idea Lists
I’ve compiled a few lists if you’re looking for seasonal inspiration. Start with 50 ways to explore nature in your own backyard and 32 ideas for spring backyard nature fun.
Imaginary Play
This is by far this blog’s most popular category for backyard nature play. Top hits here include how to build a fairy house, create a fairy garden and mix up a fairy potion.
Nature Crafts
I make no claims to be crafty, but The Big Explorer is a huge fan of crafts, so I do my best. Our rock necklaces were pretty popular and dad certainly loved our handprint tree.
Nighttime Nature Activities
Sometimes it’s fun to explore nature when the sun goes down. Why not go for a flashlight walk or host a backyard campfire?
Rainy Day Fun
We try not to let the elements keep us from getting our 15 minutes outside. And the kids love to play in the rain. But what to do? Make rain art, go puddle jumping or try one of these 11 ideas for rainy day outdoor fun.
Scavenger Hunts and Nature Walks
Turn an everyday walk around your backyard, neighborhood or local park into an adventure in nature. Take a winter nature scavenger hunt or go on a color walk. Get inspired by 25 ideas for turning a neighborhood walk into a nature adventure.
Simple Pleasures
Connecting with nature doesn’t have to be complicated or take any special planning. What matters is that you go outside. Fly a kite, run down a hill or chase butterflies.
Snow Play
Admittedly, we have little experience in this area. But once in a while we do see the white stuff. There was the time we built a snowman and another time when my friend Mel wrote about building snow animals.
Sun/Sky/Wind
When was the last time you watched the sun set with your little one? Or played with shadows?
Wildlife Watching
One of the things I love about our little urban backyard is all the wildlife that visit regularly. See how to make a roly-poly terrarium or create your own bug world.
Happy exploring!
