Go on a Nature Walk
Walking out-of-doors with your children is a wonderful daily habit and an invigorating change of pace with many benefits.
Schedule a regular daily walk together in your neighborhood or once a week in a nearby area of nature. As you establish and maintain this habit, you will realize many benefits as well as experiencing pure enjoyment.
A half-hour walk every day is ideal for most people. Other alternatives are to walk at least three times a week, for a longer or shorter time whenever the weather is good enough.
Health Benefits
• Walking is an excellent form of exercise to develop healthy bodies. Try to walk a mile in 20 minutes. However, you will still realize a benefit if you need to push a stroller along with you at a slower rate.
For more information, read about benefits and guidelines for walking in "Walking for Exercise and Pleasure."
• Exercise reduces stress, and that can be a tremendous benefit to home educators and their families!
• Notice your children's posture and encourage them to stand and walk tall. You might need to have your child checked if he has an extreme stoop or looks lopsided. Read about Scoliosis.
• As the days get shorter, it is very beneficial to be in daylight and get some sun on your face. This helps vitamin D production, can prevent depression, and aids in sleep.
An Opportunity to Observe and Appreciate Nature
You can casually notice and comment on things in nature from time to time as you walk along, or you can plan a more formal nature walk.
Either way, it is important to teach your children, by word and example, to be aware of their surroundings and see the beauty of God's creation all around them.
Wherever you go, be sure you know and observe posted rules, common courtesy, and safety. Stay on the paths, no loud running around other people, no picking plants or removing wildlife, avoid poisonous plants or snakes, etc.
Keeping a Nature Notebook
A Nature Notebook gives your child a record of his discoveries as well as a journal of the places he has visited. It can help your child become more observant and extend your learning time after your walk. Plus, it's just plain fun!
Materials List
• Notebook. A spiral-bound notebook that opens flat with unlined, medium to heavyweight white pages.
• Pencils, Pens, Paints, etc. Good quality colored pencils or, for variety, watercolor paints or watercolor pencils.
• Flower Press Small types are available at craft stores or you can make your own by layering smooth, thick paper towels between pieces of corrugated cardboard and stacking heavy books on top.
• Clear Contact Paper Use to protect pressed flowers and leaves that have been glued on the pages. Wait for the glue to dry first.
What To Include
Your nature journal or notebook will be a record of your observations, using any or all of the following:
• Written record of item, date and place found or seen.
• Drawing of item in various media. This can be your original sketch or a drawing from a field guide.
• Photo or post card of item.
• Dried and pressed flowers or leaves (if collection is allowed by law or the property owner). It is best not to pick up feathers.
• A rubbing of tree bark or leaves.
• Added sentence or paragraph about the circumstances of found item.
• An appropriate quote or Bible verse.
Where To Go
• Within walking distance: around your own yard, neighborhood, or nearby park.
• Within driving distance: a nearby conservation area; garden; arboretum; county, state, or national forest or park; or the beach.
Check your library or the Internet to find parks and trails to explore.
Audubon Centers and Sanctuaries
National Forests
National Park Service
For State Parks in your state, do a Google advanced search with "state park" in the "exact wording" blank, and your state name in the "all these words" blank.
When To Go
• Take a day trip or half-day outing and picnic with Dad and/or another family.
• During your daily scheduled walk time.
• Try walking your regular route at different times during the day and observing any differences.
• At night (for a change). Take Dad or an older brother, follow safety precautions, and go quietly so as not to disturb your neighbors.
What To Take
Be prepared to observe nature and make your walk safe and comfortable by bringing:
• Your curiosity. On the way, talk about things you might see and raise questions about them.
• Snacks and water.
• First aid kit.
• Magnifying glass for a closer look at details. The large size is handier to use for small things like bugs.
• Binoculars for long-distance objects like birds.
• Camera to capture images of nature.
• Plastic jar with mesh lid for insects.
• Plastic bags to collect items such as small rocks, shells, leaves, pine cones, or sticks.
• Sketch book or small notebook for notes.
• Regular No. 2 pencil and/or good-quality colored pencils and a good eraser.
• Nature field guide(s) of trees, birds, insects, animals, plants, wildflowers, rocks, shells, etc. Look for those that specialize in species found in your state or region.
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