Looking to get the kids outside? Wondering how you can make your garden more interesting for your children? Here are 10 of the best nature activities for kids to do in your own garden — simple, low-cost ideas that are sure to keep them busy.
The garden is a great place for kids to learn about nature. From bugs to slugs to things growing in the soil, there’s always something going on, even if you only have a small outdoor space. Here are 10 fun nature activities you can try with your child.
Nature Activities in Your Own Garden
#1. Set Up a Bird Feeder
Hang a bird feeder in the garden and watch for the different birds that appear. Keep a simple log of all the birds that visit your feeder. How many different kinds turn up each day? You could also try drawing the birds you spot.
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#2. Make a Wormery
Using a see-through glass or plastic container, add layers of soil and sand with some leaves for food. Find some worms in the garden and add them to the container. Watch how they tunnel through the layers and help create spaces for roots to grow. Release the worms back into the garden once you’ve observed them for a while.
#3. Make Nature Collages
Gather sticks, leaves, flowers, small stones or seeds and glue them onto card or paper to create a nature collage. You could build a complete picture or simply arrange the pieces into interesting patterns.
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#4. Go on a Bug Hunt
See how many different insects you can find in the garden. Pop them into a jar or tub for a closer look with a magnifying glass, then return them to the wild when you’re finished. Try our free Big Bug Scavenger Hunt download for an extra bit of fun.
#5. Make a Whistle from a Blade of Grass
Hold a blade of grass tightly between your thumbs. Blow into the gap between them and you should hear a whistle — if not, just adjust the blade of grass and try again.
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#6. Nature Rubbings
Using plain or coloured paper and crayons, get the kids to make rubbings of bark, stones, walls, or plants like ferns and leaves found around the garden.
#7. Quick Draw
Spot an insect, bird or other creature and see if you can sketch it before it moves away or notices you.
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#8. Plant Some Seeds
Give each child a small patch of garden to grow their own plants — flowers or edible plants like strawberries work well. If space is tight, an old bucket or tub makes a good stand-in and helps mark out each child’s own patch.
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#9. Make a Terrarium
- Using a large glass or plastic container with a wide mouth, spread some potting soil on the bottom, then add small plants and bits of grass from outside, roots still attached.
- Give them a little water, then cover with a lid or cling film secured with an elastic band.
- Place in a sunny spot and mist lightly with water every week, watching the plants grow.
- Measure the growth week to week to see how quickly things change.
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#10. Watch a Slug or Snail Walk
If you have a clear perspex or other solid see-through sheet, suspend it between two chairs for this activity. Collect a slug or snail from the garden — early morning or after a rain shower is the best time to find one.
Place it on the see-through surface and let your child lie underneath to watch how it moves. Alternatively, place the slug or snail on a window or patio door and watch its progress from inside.
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FAQs
Do I need a big garden for these activities?
No. Most of these ideas work in any size of outdoor space, including a small patio, balcony with pots, or shared garden. Bug hunts, nature collages, and bird feeders are especially easy to scale up or down.
What age group are these activities suitable for?
These ideas suit a wide range of ages. Younger children will enjoy simple sensory activities like bug hunts and nature rubbings, while older kids might get more out of keeping a bird log or growing their own plants.
Do I need to buy special equipment?
Not really. Most of these activities use things you likely already have at home — jars, paper, crayons, an old bucket — plus items you can find in the garden itself.
What should we do with insects or creatures we collect?
Always return bugs, slugs, snails and worms to where you found them once you’ve finished observing them, so they can get back to their normal routine.
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Save These Ideas for Later
Short on time today but want to come back to these activities another day? Bookmark this page or save it to your favourite parenting board so it’s ready whenever you need a garden activity in your back pocket.
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