As much fun as kids might have spending time outside, getting them to write about said time can be, well … challenging. Who can blame them? Sometimes we all need a friendly nudge to get us thinking about – and really seeing – the world around us. Nature journals are a great way for kids and adults alike to put our thoughts, ideas and images down on paper. And creative outdoor journal prompts help jump-start the artistic process.
Think of it like this: Instead of staring at a blank sheet of paper and wondering what to write or draw, you’re presented with a question or fill-in-the-blank statement instead. These prompts help spark wonder and connection through observation, writing and drawing about our experiences outside.
But what if you’re not sure what kinds of questions or prompts to use with your family? I might have something that can help. Kelly Johnson, author of Wings, Worms, and Wonder, has created a set of hand-painted Nature Journal Prompt Cards just for this purpose. The card set features 36 nature journal prompt cards, intro cards and how-to pages. Each card has a thoughtful question and illustration to spark observation and imagination based on the nature right outside your door or window. They’re meant to be used with both kids and adults, and beginner and advanced journalers alike.
There are several things I really like about Kelly’s Nature Journal Prompt Cards:
- They are beautiful to look at and spark talk about the images and colors we see.
- They work even if you don’t keep a nature journal. That’s right – we don’t keep nature journals, in spite of my repeated efforts to do so. So these creative outdoor journal prompts make it easy to share our thoughts about our outside time together. We make it a card “game,” with each of us taking turns answering a question.
- At $12.50, they’re about the cost of a game or book.
If you think these Nature Journal Prompt Cards could work for your family, you’ll want to hear this: Kelly is offering GoExploreNature.com readers a special 10% discount between now and November 1, 2014! Head over to the WingsWormsAndWonder etsy shop, then enter the coupon code “goexplorenature” at checkout.
The cards can be downloaded upon purchase. Then print them out on heavy card stock, and cut each of the cards out around the black edges. You can even laminate them for long-term use. Don’t worry about going through the cards all at once – they’re meant to be used all year long.
Note: I received a free set of Nature Journal Prompt Cards in exchange for providing my honest review with you here. Read my full disclosure policy for more information.
