Backyard Nature Activities for Kids

Let’s head out to our backyards and explore nature. These backyard nature activities for kids are a great way to spend time and connect to nature.

Animal Observations

Backyard Bird Scavenger Hunt – Print out the photo scavenger hunt and see what birds you can find in your backyard. Go for a walk around the neighborhood and see if you can add to your list.

Learn how to build a bird house. See the four different bird nest boxes we made and find out how you can do the same. This is a great project for kids and parents to do together.

Insect Investigations – Insects are pretty much everywhere outside. This post gives suggestions for where to look and how to observe them.

Backyard Earthworm Experiments – Can you find earthworms in your backyard? Read this post for tips on where to find them plus some experiments to try.

After you find some earthworms, you can try this easy earthworm science experiment, too.

Make Your Own Wormery – Science Sparks shows us how to care for earthworms.

Plants and Gardening Activities for Kids

Learn How to Start a Butterfly Garden – This post has tips and resources starting a small butterfly garden at home.

Make a Plant Journal – Record the growth of your plants.

Recycled Container Gardening – Here are several ideas for reusing different containers from around the house as a garden planter.

Learn How to Make a Container Garden – Mama Smiles shares tips for creating a raised bed container garden.

Make Leaf Rubbings – This classic science exploration is always fun. Edventures with Kids shares the how-to.

Dig in the dirt! Explore soil types with these experiments I wrote for Rainy Day Mum.

Nature STEM Challenge Activities

Build a Sun Shelter – Can you design and build a shelter that will protect an animal from the sun? Test the effectiveness of your design with UV beads. Grab the recording sheet for this activity from Buggy and Buddy.

Map the Backyard – Map making requires observation skills and paying attention to details. Working with maps promotes spatial thinking and practices relative distances – understanding concepts like near, far, and next to.

Use Science Tools to Explore Nature – Children are natural scientists. Give them tools like magnifying glasses and tweezers to explore items from nature.

Can You Filter Water Using Materials from Nature? – Try this backyard experiment from Science Sparks.

Backyard Scavenger Hunts

Spending time outside is another way to connect with and appreciate nature.

Outdoor Sound Hunt – What sounds can we hear outside?

Backyard Treasure Hunt with Picture Clues – Using picture clues lets even the youngest treasure hunters play along. It also helps beginning readers practice their reading skills. Print out the picture clues (there are 18 to choose from), laminate them (use contact paper), and head outside. Once your kids get the hang of the treasure hunts, they can create them for each other.

Backyard Measurement Scavenger Hunt – Grab your ruler and head outside. Get the free printable from Creative Family Fun.

Nature Color Wheel Scavenger Hunt – What colors can you find in nature? Print out the color wheel from NurtureStore.

More Ways to Take Science Outside

Check out these 22 Outdoor Science Experiments and Activities

Subscribe to the Inspiration Laboratories newsletter. Each issue has exclusive hands-on science explorations for children, a recap of our latest activities, and special resources selected just for you!