Nature Schooling & Homeschooling: Approaches to Learning Outdoors

Are you curious about nature schooling, wild schooling, earth schooling, or forest schools? If your kids love being outside and learning outdoors, you’re in the right place. In this guide, we’ll explore nature-based education, outdoor homeschooling approaches, and how to integrate the benefits of nature schooling into your homeschooling journey.

What Is Nature Schooling? 🌳

Nature schooling is rooted in the belief that nature is the best classroom. This approach emphasizes the importance of connecting children with the natural world to nurture their physical, emotional, and intellectual development through nature-based experiences. For homeschooling parents, this experiential learning approach offers flexibility and limitless opportunities for hands-on learning.

Unlike traditional schools, Nature Schooling emphasizes immersion in nature and hands-on activities. This encourages children to explore, discover, and learn from their surroundings. This educational method represents a holistic approach to education that harnesses the power of nature to foster learning and personal development.

Nature-Based Education Methods: Books, Videos, Curriculum, Websites & Podcast Episodes

As a homeschooling parent, you have a unique opportunity to provide your children with a holistic, nature-centric education that extends beyond traditional classroom boundaries. This article offers valuable information on nature-based approaches, outdoor homeschool curriculum options, and practical inspiration to help you create an engaging outdoor learning center.

Insights into Nature-Inspired Educational Approaches

• Nature Schooling: Focuses on hands-on learning in natural environments, encouraging children to explore and discover freely. 🌿
• Wild Schooling: Wildschooling emphasizes child-led exploration and unstructured outdoor play for a more free-spirited learning experience.🍂
• Earth Schooling: Centers on ecological education and sustainability, fostering respect for the environment.🌍
• Forest Schools: Utilizes woodland settings for play-based learning and sensory-rich experiences.🌲
• Outdoor Schooling: Refers to learning outside the traditional classroom in diverse natural settings.🏞️
• Books About Nature-Based Education: Explore inspiring approaches to learning through nature.📚
• Outdoor Homeschool Curriculum: Offers nature-based lessons and activities for outdoor learning. 📒
• Backyard, Learning Center & Outdoor Classroom Ideas: Tips for creating inviting outdoor spaces for learning and play.🌳
• Items & Toys for Outdoor Learning Spaces: Suggestions for tools and toys that make outdoor learning more engaging and fun.🧺
• Outdoor Learning Challenge: Join our 5 day learning challenge that will inspire you and your kids to get outdoors, have fun, and connect. 🌈

While some homeschooling parents fully embrace these nature-based educational philosophies, others draw inspiration and adapt components in a way that works for their family.

Common Threads in Outdoor Learning Approaches 🐝

While some differences exist between wild, earth, outdoor, and forest schooling, the common theme is that education happens in a natural environment. This article uses the term Nature Schooling to encompass all nature-based education methods. These methods are all educational philosophies that place the natural world at the center of learning.

Nature schooling emphasizes child-led learning, exploration, and risk-taking. Children can work independently or cooperatively with their peers. Educators and parents act more as guides and resources than as all-knowing teachers at the helm.

Outdoor learning approaches immerse students in nature and draw inspiration from various educational philosophies that we’ll explain in this article.

Benefits of Nature on Mental Health

Insights from Sandi Schwartz

In this interview, Sandi Schwartz, author of Finding Ecohappiness and Sky’s Search for Happiness, shares how spending time in nature can improve your child’s focus, reduce stress, and make homeschooling more engaging.

Discover practical tips for bringing nature into your homeschool—whether it’s through outdoor lessons, natural decor, or mindful walks. Plus, learn how simple activities can boost your child’s creativity and well-being.

Watch now to see how spending time outdoors can help your child.

10 Benefits of Nature Schooling 🌻

Many outdoor learning benefits emerge when education takes place in natural settings. Whether you call it nature schooling, wild schooling, earth schooling, outdoor schooling, or forest schooling, there are many benefits of outdoor learning.

1. Enhanced Learning: Nature schooling encourages curiosity and exploration, leading to more profound and lasting learning experiences. Students often develop a keen sense of observation and problem-solving skills while engaging with the natural world.
2. Physical Health and Mental Health: Spending time in outdoor environments promotes physical activity, reduces stress, and enhances well-being. Nature schools can improve mental health by providing a calming and nurturing environment. In addition, children learn how to assess their bodies and minimize risk within nature.
3. Emotional Resilience and Adaptability: Time in the great outdoors helps students develop emotional resilience. In nature, children learn to adapt to changing weather conditions, overcome challenges, and manage their emotions effectively.
4. Empathy and Compassion: Through nature-based lessons and wildlife observation, students develop empathy and compassion for animals and the environment, which can extend to their interactions with people.
5. Environmental Stewardship: Immersing children in nature fosters a deep appreciation for the environment and a sense of responsibility for its preservation. This can help create a generation of environmentally conscious individuals.
6. Confidence & Independent Thinking: Nature-schooled kids often excel in independent thinking and problem-solving, fostering autonomy, confidence, and self-reliance.
7. Leadership and Social Skills: Natural schooling encourages collaborative activities, helping students develop leadership skills, teamwork, and effective communication.
8. Academic Excellence: Research shows that homeschoolers engaged in nature schooling often perform exceptionally well in language arts, science, and other subjects.
9. Enhanced Creativity: Nature schooling inspires creative play and artistic expression, encouraging imagination.
10. Holistic Development & Happiness: Nature schooling promotes holistic development by engaging all the senses, and fostering a deep connection to the natural world, leading to higher levels of happiness.

Outdoor Learning, Nature Schooling, and Homeschooling ☀️

While nature schooling is rooted in the belief that nature is the best classroom, the reality is that most homeschoolers won’t spend all their time in the woods or outside. That said, it’s a great idea to incorporate nature into your lifestyle as much as possible.

This section provides practical guidance for integrating learning with nature into your homeschool routine.

• Find a Suitable Location: Look for natural spaces like forests, open lands, gardens, local parks, or a nature education center. Ensure the location is safe and accessible for your children or homeschool group.
• Designing Outdoor Nature-Centric Learning Spaces: Create a convenient, safe, and natural outdoor area at home or with other homeschoolers.
• Create Indoor Nature-Centric Learning Spaces: Use plants, rocks, and natural elements indoors to encourage exploration and engagement.
• Child-Led Learning: Nature schooling supports curiosity and natural learning without being adult-led.
• Curriculum Design: While child-led learning is an important component of nature schooling, curriculum can help ensure that important concepts are taught. Choose a curriculum that aligns with your educational goals and embraces the principles of nature-based education.
• Safety First: Prioritize safety by establishing clear guidelines. Teach students about potential risks and how to navigate them safely.
• Engage with Nature: Plan adventure days and field trips that include hiking, wildlife observation, plant identification, nature walks, and free play opportunities. Also, encourage nature-inspired arts and crafts for hands-on learning.
• Document and Reflect: Encourage journaling or nature diaries to capture experiences and reflections. Note that reflection is an essential part of the learning process.
• Community Involvement: Collaborate with local organizations, community leaders, educators, naturalists, and parents for a richer nature schooling experience.
• Privacy and Online Presence: Develop a privacy policy for online activities if you lead or are part of a homeschool group.

Click here for more outdoor classroom, learning center, and backyard ideas (or keep scrolling).

Types of Nature Schooling: Wild Schooling, Earth Schooling, Outdoor Schooling & Forest Schools 🦋

Within the realm of nature schooling, it’s essential to recognize that wild schooling, earth schooling, outdoor schooling, and forest schooling each represent unique educational approaches. Understanding these differences can help educators and parents choose methods that align with their learning goals and their children’s needs.

🌿 Wild Schooling: Emphasizes child-led exploration, relationships, and emergent learning in untamed environments.
🌍 Earth Schooling: Focuses on ecological education and a deep understanding of the Earth’s systems and interconnectedness, promoting environmental stewardship.
🌲 Forest Schooling: Immerses learners in woodland environments, harnessing the calming influence of trees and natural surroundings while emphasizing outdoor play and sensory experiences.
🏞️ Outdoor Schooling: Involves learning in natural open spaces or green spaces designed with natural elements for an outdoor school or educational program.

By acknowledging these subtleties, you can tailor your nature-school approach to fit your educational goals and the unique needs of your children.

What Is the 5-Day Nature Learning Challenge?

The 5-Day Nature Learning Challenge is a simple and exciting way to bring learning to life—right in your own backyard! In just five days, you and your child will discover how to turn nature into your favorite classroom. 🌿

From sparking curiosity with hands-on activities to building confidence through outdoor exploration, this challenge makes it easy to blend fun and learning without the overwhelm.

Ready to see your child light up with curiosity and excitement?
⬇️ Join the challenge today and start your nature adventure! ⬇️

Wildschooling: Fostering a Love for Nature

Nicolette Sowder is widely recognized as the creator of Wildschooling. She coined the term to describe an educational approach that encourages children to explore and learn in nature’s wild, unstructured environments. Although this approach was initially designed for home educators, it can also be integrated into a variety of programs or adapted to fit your family’s lifestyle.

Wildschooling is more than just an educational framework—it’s a movement that celebrates a deep connection with nature and encourages the inner wild spirit to thrive. This approach draws inspiration from a variety of sources, including the following.

Here are brief explanations for each bullet point with bolded words for emphasis:

• 8 Shields Model: Focuses on nature connection through mentorship, community building, and wilderness skills, inspired by indigenous knowledge.
• Charlotte Mason: Emphasizes living books, nature study, and short lessons to cultivate a love of learning.
• Earth Schooling: Integrates ecological education with hands-on projects to promote environmental stewardship.
• Forest School: Encourages outdoor play and child-led exploration in woodland environments.
• Indigenous Knowledge & Traditions: Values ancestral wisdom and natural cycles to deepen ecological understanding.
• Mother Nature: Emphasizes learning directly from natural environments and seasonal changes.
• Peaceful Parenting: Aligns with gentle guidance and child-led learning to support emotional well-being. Permaculture Principles: Focuses on sustainable living and regenerative systems inspired by nature’s design.
• Place-Based Education: Uses local ecosystems and community resources for meaningful learning.
• Reggio Emilia Approach: Encourages self-directed learning through nature-inspired environments and creative exploration.
• Self-Reg (Stuart Shanker): Focuses on self-regulation through calm, nature-based environments to manage stress and emotions.
• Unschooling: Supports interest-led learning without formal curricula, often through outdoor experiences.
• Waldorf Education: Integrates nature, arts, and imagination into a holistic curriculum.

Wildschooling places a high value on spending time in nature as an essential element of children’s education. This approach transcends traditional curricula by fostering a strong bond between individuals and the natural world. By embracing a holistic and nature-centric approach to learning, wildschooling encourages children to thrive.

Note: While Nicolette Sowder combined wild + schooling into the compound word wildschooling, both spellings—wild schooling and wildschooling—are commonly used.

Forest Schools: Nurturing Learning Through Nature

Forest schools originated with Ella Flautauin in Denmark during the 1950s and gained popularity thanks to Goesta Frohm’s idea of “Skogsmulle” in 1957. Frohm created four fictional characters to help children learn about nature, water, mountains, and pollution. This concept evolved into “Rain or Shine Schools”. Now known as Forest Schooling, this approach is well-established in the United Kingdom and is gaining popularity worldwide. While forest schools began as nature preschools, they now often extend well into childhood.

Forest schools offer a vibrant and evolving educational approach where children engage in imaginative play and learn in natural environments. These schools are praised for fostering holistic development, play-based education, critical thinking, and emotional resilience. By encouraging students to explore and connect with nature, forest schools provide a timeless educational experience that nurtures environmental consciousness and a lifelong love for the natural world.

To integrate forest schooling into homeschooling, parents can start by identifying nearby natural areas for outdoor lessons and play-based learning. Plan regular nature outings, adjust the curriculum to include nature-based subjects, invite other homeschoolers to join, and promote child-led exploration. Incorporating forest schooling into your homeschool routine will nurture your child’s curiosity and love for the natural world.

🌲Video: Introduction to Forest School 🌲

Curious about the Forest School approach? This video explores how experiential learning and play in nature can help children develop skills and appreciation of their natural surroundings. Discover how frequent, regular sessions in the woodlands nurture confidence, creativity, and a lifelong love for the natural world. 🌳✨

Watch to learn how Forest Schooling layers learning over time, helping kids feel challenged and connected to nature! 🌿

🍃Outdoor Learning on the HomeSchool ThinkTank Parenting Podcast

Nature schooling, forest schooling, and wildschooling offer powerful ways to enhance your child’s education by connecting them with the natural world. In these podcast episodes, we explore how nature-based learning can boost your child’s mental health, curiosity, and academic success.

1. 🎧 Listen Now: How Nature Boosts Your Child’s Learning & Mental Health — Author Sandi Schwartz
Looking for ways to improve your child’s focus, reduce stress, and make homeschooling easier? In this episode, environmental author Sandi Schwartz explores the connection between nature, learning, and mental health. Discover how simple nature-based activities can transform your child’s education—no hiking boots required!

P.S. This podcast episode with Sandi Schwartz has been edited to be shorter than the video above.

2. 🎧 Learning Outdoors: Nurturing Curiosity in Nature’s Classroom — Homeschooling Consultant Jackie Wiebe
In this enlightening episode, we explore how learning in nature’s classroom can enhance your child’s education and overall well-being. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or simply love nature, this episode will inspire you to embrace outdoor learning opportunities.

3. 🎧 Backpack Sciences Curriculum and Lessons — Montessori Educator Jackie Grundberg
Looking for an easy-to-use science curriculum for your kids? In this episode, wildlife biologist and Montessori teacher Jackie Grundberg shares five strategies to enhance any science curriculum. Learn more about the Backpack Sciences curriculum and membership here.

Your Go-To Homeschooling Podcast🎙️

Each week, we share episodes to inspire and support homeschooling parents. Tune in to the HomeSchool ThinkTank Parenting Podcast wherever podcasts are played.

Books About Forest Schooling on Amazon

If you’re looking to enhance your forest schooling journey, these inspiring books offer practical tips and fun activities for children:

📚 Forest School Adventure: Outdoor Skills and Play for Children by Dan Westall and Naomi Walmsley — A hands-on guide filled with outdoor skills and adventurous play ideas.

🐿️ Play The Forest School Way: Woodland Games and Crafts for Adventurous Kids by Jane Worrell and Peter Houghton — Features engaging games and crafts inspired by the forest school approach.

🌲 A Year of Forest School: Outdoor Play and Skill-Building Fun for Every Season by Jane Worroll and Peter Houghton — Offers seasonal activities and skill-building projects for year-round outdoor learning.

Earth Schooling: An Educational Connection to Nature

While our research shows that most online searches for Earth Schooling focus on curriculum, at HomeSchool ThinkTank, we believe there is a distinction between an educational philosophy and a curriculum. This section explores the philosophy of Earth Schooling, while curriculum options and resources can be found further down this page.

As an educational philosophy, we define Earth Schooling in the following way. Earth Schooling seeks to forge a deep bond between students and the environment, instilling ecological awareness, a sense of stewardship, and a holistic understanding of the world.

One of the core objectives of Earth Schooling is to cultivate environmental stewardship. Students become active participants in ecological conservation by learning about sustainability and engaging in hands-on projects to protect the planet. In an era of growing environmental challenges, Earth Schooling equips students with the knowledge, skills, and motivation to become responsible global citizens who passionately advocate for the planet’s well-being.

Outdoor Schooling: Connecting Education with Nature

There are two ways to view outdoor schooling. It can be seen as a form of outdoor education with immersive experiences, or simply as a way to do school outside.

In its truest sense, outdoor schooling extends learning beyond conventional classrooms by immersing students in nature’s rich educational environment. Activities like hiking, gardening, and wildlife observation enhance academics, foster holistic development, and cultivate a deep connection to the environment.

When seen as simply doing school outdoors, the intent is for children to learn calming, natural-feeling spaces filled with fresh air, sunshine, and outdoor time. As more educators and parents recognize the benefits of outdoor schooling, this approach continues to gain popularity. Many schools are incorporating outdoor classrooms, nature-based curricula, and outdoor education programs into their offerings. Homeschooling families are also embracing the opportunity to learn outdoors.

Your Outdoor Classroom: Outdoor Learning Center Ideas

Whether you want to transform your backyard into an inviting space for playful learning or create an outdoor learning center for a homeschool group or classroom, here are a few key things to keep in mind.

1. 🌳 Incorporate a variety of natural elements like trees, plants, boulders, river rocks, gravel, sand, dirt, grass, and water to create a dynamic outdoor space.
2. 🌈 Strive for a multi-sensory experience by engaging sight, smell, sound, touch, and taste. Choose colorful foliage, scented plants, and add a water feature for calming sounds. Include rocks with different textures and a vegetable garden for hands-on learning.
3. 🏃‍♂️ Create areas for both movement and quiet reflection. Children need space to run, play, and make noise as well as calm spots for relaxation and quiet activities.
4. 🪵 Incorporate versatile materials like stumps, branches, and rocks that can be moved and used creatively. For different age groups, include tools like buckets, shovels, blocks, boards, hammers, and nails. Consider open-ended toys such as blocks, animal figurines, and kitchen toys for creative play.
5. 🎨 Focus on creating possibilities by giving children the freedom to use supplies in imaginative ways. Provide open-ended toys, flexible spaces, and versatile materials to support their creativity and exploration.

👉 Click here to explore toys, furniture, and other items that can make your outdoor learning space more inviting and fun!

Nature-Inspired & Outdoor Homeschool Curriculum

🌱 Backpack Sciences: This science curriculum offers done-for-you online lesson plans, videos, and activity ideas—perfect for homeschool parents and elementary educators who want to teach high-level science concepts confidently.

🌍 The BEarth Institute: Earthschooling is a globally-used, comprehensive Waldorf curriculum that features an earth-based, hands-on approach.

📚 Charlotte Mason Method: Emphasizes a living books curriculum, nature study, short lessons, and narration to create a rich, literature-based education.

🏞️ Educating Outside: Curriculum-Linked Learning Ideas for Primary Teachers by Helen Porter offers practical strategies for outdoor learning.

🌿 Local Outdoor Programs: Beyond online resources, explore your local community—connect with homeschoolers, nature centers, community gardens, and outdoor learning programs for nature-based opportunities.

🌳 Oak Meadow: Provides an experience-based full curriculum for homeschoolers with a focus on outdoor activities and exploration.

🌲 Project Learning Tree: A program offering environmental education curriculum resources for all ages to help children develop a love for nature.

📚 Waldorf Education Books:

• The Education of the Child: A collection of early lectures on Waldorf Education by Rudolf Steiner and others, focusing on the foundations of holistic education.

• Understanding Waldorf Education: Jack Petrash explores the core principles of Waldorf education with a focus on teaching from the inside out.

For Parents: Books About Nature & Children

The following books offer inspiring ideas for connecting children with nature and are available on Amazon:

🌿 Coyote’s Guide to Connecting with Nature by Jon Young, Evan McGown, and Ellen Haas — A comprehensive guide to helping children explore the natural world.

🌼 Finding Ecohappiness: Fun Nature Activities to Help Your Kids Feel Happier and Calmer by Sandi Schwartz — Features practical activities for boosting happiness through nature-based play.

🌳 Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children From Nature-Deficit Disorder by Richard Louv — Explores the impact of nature on children’s well-being.

🌲 Nature Preschools and Forest Kindergartens: The Handbook for Outdoor Learning by David Sobel and others — A valuable resource for those interested in forest schooling.

🐾 Our Wild Calling: How Connecting with Animals Can Transform Our Lives—and Save Theirs by Richard Louv — Explores the powerful bond between humans and animals.

📚 The Outdoor Life of Children: The Importance of Nature Study and Outside Activities by Charlotte M. Mason — Emphasizes the value of nature study in child development.

🌱 Vitamin N: The Essential Guide to a Nature-Rich Life by Richard Louv — Offers 500+ ideas for integrating nature into everyday life.

Nature-Deficit Disorder: The Impact of Less Time Outdoors

You’ll notice that several of the books above are by Richard Louv. He coined the phrase Nature-Deficit Disorder® and introduced it in his book, “Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder.” While Nature Deficit Disorder is not a medical diagnosis, it describes how people today spend more time with technology and less time in nature—leading to a range of problems.

Spending less time in nature has been linked to:

• 📉 Difficulty with attention
• 👁️ Diminished use of the senses
• 😔 Rising emotional illnesses
• ⚖️ Increased obesity and related health risks
• 🏥 Rising physical illnesses

Reasons for less time in nature include:

• 🏫 Decreased emphasis on the natural world in schools
• 📱 Growth of digital screens and electronic communication
• 🏙️ Loss of open spaces due to urban development
• 😟 Fearful parenting amplified by media coverage
• 🚗 Poor urban planning creating environments without natural spaces
• 🚦 Rising street traffic limiting safe access to outdoor areas

Simply About Nature: Books for Teens & Adults

Explore these thought-provoking books that delve into the wisdom of nature and its impact on our lives:

🌿 Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer — A beautiful blend of indigenous knowledge and scientific insight.

🌱 Cultural Emergence: A Toolkit for Transforming Ourselves & the World by Looby Macnamara — Offers practical tools for creating positive change inspired by nature’s patterns.

🧭 The Lost Art of Reading Nature’s Signs: Use Outdoor Clues to Find Your Way by Tristan Gooley — Reveals how to navigate, predict weather, and track animals using nature’s clues.

📚 Nature Book Series (4-book series) by Scott Stillman — A collection that captures the essence of wilderness and our connection to nature.

🌞 The Nature Fix: Why Nature Makes Us Happier, Healthier, and More Creative by Florence Williams — Explores the science behind nature’s impact on mental health.

🌳 The Nature of Nature: Why We Need the Wild by Enric Sala — A compelling case for preserving biodiversity and our wild places.

🛀 Your Guide to Forest Bathing: Experience the Healing Power of Nature by M. Amos Clifford — Introduces the art of forest bathing for healing and renewal.

Nature-Inspired Books & Workbooks for Children

These delightful books and workbooks offer fun ways for children to explore nature and are available on Amazon:

🐾 Backpack Explorer: On the Nature Trail: What Will You Find? by Editors of Storey Publishing — An interactive guide that encourages outdoor exploration.

🐦 Common Backyard Birds: Outdoor Nature Book by Doris Dumrauf — Helps children identify and learn about local birds.

🌱 Earthways: Simple Environmental Activities for Young Children by Carol Petrash — Features hands-on activities for connecting with nature.

📚 Exploring for Kids Activity Books and Journals (6 Books) by Kim Andrews — Offers journaling prompts and outdoor activities to spark curiosity.

🌿 Handbook of Nature Study by Anna Botsford Comstock — A classic guide for observing nature with children.

✍️ How to Teach Nature Journaling: by John Muir Laws and Emilie Lygren — Teaches kids to document their discoveries through journaling.

🎨 The Laws Guide to Nature Drawing and Journaling by John Muir Laws — Combines art skills with nature observation.

🌼 Nature Anatomy: The Curious Parts and Pieces of the Natural World by Julia Rothman — A visual guide to the wonders of nature.

🏞️ The Nature Connection: An Outdoor Workbook for Kids, Families, and Classrooms by Clare Walker Leslie — Features outdoor activities for all ages.

🌳 Nature School: Lessons and Activities to Inspire Children’s Love for Everything Wild by Lauren Giordano and Stephanie Hathaway — Encourages a love for nature through engaging lessons.

🔬 Outdoor Science Lab for Kids: 52 Family-Friendly Experiments by Liz Lee Heinecke — Offers fun experiments for learning science outdoors.

🦋 Ultimate Explorer Field Guides (7 books) by Julie Beer — Field guides designed for young explorers.

Illustrated Children’s Books About Nature

These beautifully illustrated books are perfect for helping children explore and appreciate nature:

• 🌰 Because of an Acorn: Nature Autumn Books for Children by Lola M. Schaefer, Adam Schaefer, and others — A charming story about the interconnectedness of nature.
• 🐞 The Big Book of Bugs by Yuval Zommer — An informative and visually appealing guide to the insect world, perfect for young explorers curious about tiny creatures.
• ❄️ First Snow in the Woods: A Photographic Fantasy by Carl R. Sams and Jean Stoick — Captures the transition into winter with breathtaking wildlife photography and a gentle narrative.
• 🌿 The Hike by Alison Farrell — A tale of three friends embarking on an adventure, showcasing the wonders of the natural world through detailed and engaging illustrations.
• 📚 The Lost Words by Robert Macfarlane and Jackie Morris — Brings to life words from nature that are fading from children’s vocabularies, accompanied by stunning illustrations.
• 🌲 Tall Tall Tree: A Nature Book for Kids About Forest Habitats by Anthony D. Fredericks and Chad Wallace — A rhyming counting book with STEAM activities that celebrates forest life.
• 🌳 Tree Full of Wonder: An Educational, Rhyming Book About the Magic of Trees by Anna Smithers and Laura Bingham — Encourages curiosity about trees and nature through rhyming text.
• 🌻 Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt: by Kate Messner and Christopher Silas Neal — A beautifully illustrated book about gardening and nature cycles.
• 🐾 A Walk Through the Woods by Louise Greig and Helen Musselwhite — A poetic journey through the wonders of the forest.
• 🌸 What’s Inside A Flower?: And Other Questions About Science & Nature by Rachel Ignotofsky — Explores the science of flowers in a fun and accessible way.

Outdoor Spaces for Learning & Playing: Items You Can Buy on Amazon

Here are some outdoor learning center ideas for your backyard, homeschool co-op, or classroom.

• Chimes: Add pleasant sounds with chimes to your outdoor spaces.
• Easels for Outdoors: Don’t let your canvas blow away! Make sure your easel can secure your child’s paper or canvas.
• Gardening for Kids: Help your child grow their flowers and food!
• Hammock Chair: Chair-style hammocks are awesome because it’s easy to turn away from the sun, and most only need one branch to hang from. Adults love relaxing in them, and kids love swinging in them.
• Kitchen Toys: Children love to prepare meals and pretend to feed each other and their dolls.
• Open-Ended Outdoor Toys: Open-ended toys don’t have a singular purpose and can be used in many ways.
• Outdoor Children’s Furniture: An outdoor learning environment with child-sized furniture is more comfortable.
• Outdoor Curtains: Block the sun and divide spaces with outdoor curtains.
• Outdoor Furniture for You: While we focus on the kids here, comfortable furniture will help adults enjoy the outdoors more.
• Outdoor Rugs: Make the outdoors more comfortable for playing on the ground.
• Outdoor Tables: Kids will use an outdoor table for everything from an outdoor lesson, to art projects to playing kitchen.
• Outdoor Toy Storage: Contain your children’s play equipment.
• Play House: Make the outdoors more fun with a playhouse. Children love imitating the world of adults by pretending to have their own home.
• Rock Climbing Walls: While safety should always be a priority, you can build your climbing wall in your backyard.
• Rope Ladders: Ladders appeal to many kids and parents more than rope swings.
• Rope Swings: A rope swing is a great way for your kids to improve their arm strength. Be sure to provide a soft landing underneath.
• Sand Box: As a child, nothing beats spending hours making castles and roads in a sandbox. Keep your sandbox clean by getting one with a lid.
• Sand Toys: From dump trucks to buckets and shovels, you’ll find plenty of toys for kids.
• Shade: Use a sun sail anywhere you need shade.
• Sidewalk Chalk and Paint: Get washable chalk and paint and let your child paint until their heart is content.
• Stepping Stones for Kids: Set these rubber “stones” up for obstacle courses, games, and more. Kids can walk, stand, jump, or climb on rubber river stones.
• Swing Sets: When purchasing, consider the materials. Metal swing sets last longer, while wood swing sets have a more natural look.
• Tents: Kids love to play in tents. Whether you get a play tent or a real tent, it’s sure to get used.
• Tools for Kids: Children love working with tools. Whether you get them real tools or play tools, they will love fixing things!
• Troughs: Troughs aren’t just for animals. You can use them for gardens and more in your yard.
• Water Features: While you’ll want to keep your child’s safety in mind, sensory elements like water features can make the outdoors more soothing.
• Water Tables: Children can spend hours experimenting and playing with water. You can also change the table’s contents to sand, rice, beans, or any other substance that your kids find interesting.
• Workbenches for Kids: Give your child a place for their tools and watch them work.
• Zipline: Did you know that you can build your own zipline? Check out these kits.

Nature Homeschooling Possibilities 🌿

Nature homeschooling and education is a powerful approach that offers numerous benefits to students of all ages. It has the potential to be a game-changer in education by fostering a deep connection to the natural world and promoting holistic development.

Whether you’re a homeschool parent, group leader, or classroom teacher, embracing nature schooling can open up a world of possibilities for meaningful and enriching learning experiences. As you embark on this educational journey, remember that the key is to balance structured learning with unstructured exploration, allowing students to thrive in the ever-inspiring classroom of fresh air and nature.

By integrating these principles into your nature schooling program, you’ll be well on your way to unlocking the full potential of this innovative educational approach. Nature schooling isn’t just a trend—it’s a transformative way of learning that can shape the future for generations to come.

Nature-Inspired Websites for Parents and Educators

These additional resources can be valuable for parents and educators who are interested in nature studies and outdoor education.

• Children & Nature: Promotes the importance of connecting children with the natural world and offers resources and insights on nature-based education and experiences for young learners.
• Earth Nullschool Home Page & (About page link): This interactive platform provides real-time global weather data and atmospheric simulations, offering users a dynamic and visually immersive way to explore Earth’s weather patterns and climate.
• Forest School Association: Offers resources, training, and support for educators and parents interested in forest schools.
• Inside-Outside: This website offers resources, ideas, and guidance to help individuals and organizations connect with nature and explore the great outdoors.
• National Park Service: The National Park Service offers a multitude of programs in-person and online.
• TedEd Earth School: TED-Ed Earth School is an online learning initiative providing environmental and nature-focused lessons and activities for students and nature enthusiasts.

Explore More: Articles, Podcast Episodes, and Helpful Videos 🌟

Looking for more inspiration and practical tips for your homeschool journey? Check out these helpful resources to deepen your understanding of homeschooling styles, positive parenting, and making learning fun!

• 💖 Positive Parenting: Discover strategies for nurturing your child’s growth with encouragement and guidance. Learn more…
• 🎉 How to Make Homeschooling Fun: Uncover creative ideas to keep your kids engaged and excited about learning. Find out how…
• 🌿 What Is Unschooling? Learn about this child-led learning approach and how it can transform your homeschooling experience. Discover unschooling…
• 🌻Charlotte Mason Homeschool: Dive into this literature-rich, nature-based method to inspire a love of learning. Learn about Charlotte Mason homeschooling...
• 📚 Homeschool Styles: Explore the variety of homeschool approaches to find the one that best fits your family. Explore more methods…

🌟Whether you’re looking to fine-tune your approach or try something new, these resources are designed to support and inspire you on your homeschooling journey!