Nature journaling with a toddler

When you have young children, it can be difficult to find time to do anything outside of the normal routine of meals, naps and family activities. However, nature journaling can become something joyful that you can do with young children as a regular part of your week, it just takes a little planning and some flexibility. 

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Here are a few tips for getting started:

1. Make a plan for adventure

   Think about your week ahead of time and plan a day when you will have time and space for an outdoor adventure. Pack your nature journaling kit the night before and also the other things you will need for a day out with a young child (a change of clothes, snacks, nappies…all that good stuff!)

2. Bring a helper if possible

   A second person to help is perfect, although not always possible. The helper can entertain the little one after their attention on nature journaling starts to waver.

3. Keep your journaling kit simple

   For your little one you just need a notebook, a set of student watercolours and a water brush, or even just a notebook and a set of coloured pencils. It is a good idea to simplify your own journaling kit too. Your little one will want to explore your tools and if you bring out fancy dip pens, masking fluid or tube paints, things could get messy. A watercolour journal, a black pigment liner, some watercolours and a water brush are all you need. Save your fancy materials for solo nature journaling expeditions.

4. Start journaling together

   When you take out your journal and paints your child is going to want to do the same. Keep a dedicated nature journal kit for your child, even if they are not old enough to do more than dab at the page with the brush. They will be proud to work on their nature journal while you do.

5. Explore the senses and ask questions

   Talk to your child about what you can see, feel, hear and smell. Talk about the birds you can hear and what they might be saying to each other. Asking questions sparks natural curiosity in your child and will lead them to think, dream and explore nature in a deeper way. This is possible even when a child is very young. Toddlers will surprise you with the questions they ask and the answers they come up with.

6. Find distractions

   Your toddler’s interest in journaling with you may last five or ten minutes and then they will be looking to you for the next activity. Seek out things around you that can distract your child and allow you to continue journaling for a little while longer, if you would like. For little ones, a pile of stones stacked into a tower can be entertaining for a while. For older ones, send them on a little scavenger hunt. Ask them to find five leaves of different colours or shapes, or ten sticks that are longer than their hand. Be creative and you might just buy yourself an extra ten minutes!

7. Finish your page from a photo

   If rock towers and scavenger hunts are not doing the trick, not to worry! Snap a photograph of the scene you were working on and finish your journal page at home.

Often, I only get time to jot a few notes and a quick sketch on my page before my toddler asks to move onto the next adventure. That is the nature of journaling with kids and that is ok. With a sense of fun and a slightly lowered expectation of what it is possible to achieve, nature journaling with young children can be the perfect family activity.