20+ Nature Journal Prompts for Kids

Erin and Out
May 12, 2025
4 min read

Updated: Feb 20

Anyone with a piece of paper and a sense of creativity can go outside and start a nature journal. The real question is: where to begin?

A nature journal can be as simple as “These are my observations today!” or “What a lovely flower to draw!” But some young scientists might need a kick of inspiration to get going. From becoming an Animal Expert to creating a leaf collage, here are 20 journal prompts to get your child off the iPad and into nature.

Drawing- Based Prompts

Leaf Artiste

Let's create a leaf rubbing! Grab a leaf and a crayon. Put the leaf underneath a piece of paper and then use the crayon to gently rub on the other side. Try to fill your paper with different leaves to create a collage!

Tis the Season(s)

Divide your paper into 4 sections. Draw what your backyard looks like in the Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer. What stands out to you? Why is each season important?

Who Lives Here?

Consider a log, pond, and tree. Draw an animal that would live in each of these homes. What makes it a good habitat for them?

Parts in Harmony

Draw your favorite animal. Next, draw a nonliving thing your animal needs to survive. Now, draw a living thing your animal needs to survive. How do these living and nonliving things interact? What other elements could you add to your ecosystem?

Patterns Aplenty

From spots on a tiger to spirals in a flower, nature is filled with patterns to help animals stand out or hide. Design a new nature pattern using various shapes and colors. Where in nature would you be able to find your pattern?

Astronomer in Training

You’re an astronomer looking through your telescope when you discover a brand new planet! What does this planet look like? How is the terrain? What life might you find there? Record it in your journal.

Instantly download your own deck of Nature Journal Cards! 26 prompts to inspire creativity and exploration outdoors. Print, cut and play!

Writing-Based Prompts

Powers of Observation

Observe your surroundings and write down the first 5 things you notice. What made those items stand out? Look around for another 30 seconds. What do you notice this time?

T is for Teamwork

You have discovered a new kind of bug that lives in a colony. How does the colony work together? Are there workers? A king or queen? Describe the structure and the different roles within.

Amazing Adaptations

Animals all over the world have adaptations: features that help them survive. Choose an animal and a problem it might encounter. What new adaptation could that animal develop to solve its problem?

Animal Expert

Calling all Animal Experts! Choose a local animal and complete a research paper on it. List where the animal is found, its important features, and its behavior. Make sure to include a diagram! What questions do you have about your animal?

Whispers in the Woods

You’re walking in the forest when you stumble upon an ancient tree and a sapling having a conversation. What questions would the little tree have for its elder? What advice would the older tree give?

Color Hunt

Go on a nature walk and keep a tally of each color you see. Then, analyze your data. What color did you see the most? The least? Why do you think that is?

A Beautiful Day

What would be your perfect day outdoors? Describe what you would do and who you would spend it with. If you can, try to make this outing a reality!

Poetry-Based Prompts

Can I Compare Thee

Pretend you’re describing your favorite flower to someone with a blindfold on. Write a poem describing the flower. Touch on each of the 5 senses to bring the flower to life for the other person.

Cloud-Watching

Look up and draw one of the clouds in the sky. Complete a shape poem inside your cloud, describing a lesson your cloud may have learned while traveling the globe.

Ode to Our Earth

An alien spaceship lands outside your house. Being their first time on Earth, the aliens knock on your door and ask “What’s so great about this planet?” Write a love poem to the Earth that would convince even an alien that this is the best place in the galaxy.

Acrostic Poem

Compose a nature-inspired acrostic poem. Using your name as the base, use the first letter of each line to describe something you love in nature. For example:

Enjoys

Really

Interesting

Narwhals

Outdoor Orchestra

Close your eyes and focus on the sounds around you. Are the bugs singing “Lalala”? Is the wind whistling “Shhh Shhh”? Write a poem describing the sounds around you.