Winter Nature Journals

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Winter is a magical season, full of unique sights, sounds, and sensations waiting to be discovered. Starting a Winter Nature Journal is a simple and creative way for your family to connect with nature during the colder months. Whether you’re stepping into your backyard, walking through a park, or peeking out the window, this activity encourages mindfulness, observation, and creativity.

child sitting on wooden log journaling with snow and leaves surrounding them, text overlay

Why Keep a Winter Nature Journal?

  • Encourages observation: A journal helps kids (and adults!) notice the small details that make winter special, like the patterns of frost or the sound of bare branches in the wind.
  • Builds creativity: Drawing, writing, and collecting items inspire creative expression and make memories last.
  • Fosters curiosity: As your family records their findings, they may start asking questions about animals, plants, or weather patterns, leading to fun discoveries and learning opportunities (is there any better than going down a rabbit hole?)
  • Offers a screen-free activity: This hands-on activity is a refreshing break from screens and technology. Make sure you check out our post on screen free activities for kids while camping for even more ideas.
nature journal open and showing a drawn leaf, with the dried brown leaf sitting on the paper, and a box of charcoal pencils beside it

Supplies you’ll need

The beauty of a nature journal is its simplicity! Gather these basic supplies:

  • A notebook or blank sketchpad (one for the whole family or one per person)
  • Colored pencils and/ or charcoal pencils
  • Optional: glue or tape for attaching small items like leaves or bark
  • A magnifying glass for closer observation (optional but fun!)
  • A small thin ruler for measuring

We keep our nature journals and supplies in our kid’s hiking backpacks so that they are always ready to go whenever we go on an adventure!

child bundled up for the cold sitting at a wooden bench with nature journal open and charcoal pencils in box to the side

How to use your winter nature journal

  1. Bundle up and head outside: Dress warmly and explore a nearby natural area, your backyard, or even a city park. Look for signs of winter—from animal tracks in the snow to icicles hanging from branches.
  2. Pause and observe: Encourage everyone to use their senses. What do you see? Hear? Feel? Smell? You can even jot down the temperature or how the air feels.
  3. Record your observations: Fill your journal with:
    • Drawings: Sketch a bare tree, a winter bird, or the frost on a window.
    • Notes: Write about what you notice, like “I heard a crow cawing in the distance” or “The snow feels soft and powdery.”
    • Collections: Attach small, non-living items like a pine needle, bark chip, or dried leaf.
  4. Add prompts: Use simple questions to spark ideas:
    • What textures can you find in winter?
    • Can you spot any animals or birds? What about tracks on the ground?
    • How does the sky look today?

We like to use prompts by naturalist John Muir to help us stop and think about what we are observing:

  • I notice…
  • I wonder…
  • It reminds me of…
two nature journals sitting on the ground, one is open and shows a picture of a bird being drawn, box of charcoal pencils to the side

Keep It Fun and Flexible

  • No Rules: Let your family make the journal their own—there’s no wrong way to document nature.
  • Mix It Up: If it’s too cold outside, you can always sit and look out of the window!
  • Set a Routine: Turn journaling into a weekly or monthly tradition. Over time, you’ll notice changes in the winter landscape—and your kids will love flipping back through their pages.

A Winter Nature Journal is more than just an activity; it’s a way to celebrate the season and make meaningful memories as a family. By taking the time to observe and document winter’s beauty, you’ll find that even the coldest days are full of warmth and wonder. So grab a notebook, head outside, and start journaling today!

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