Backyard Nature Studies
**********************************
We have spent many field trips at our local nature preserve. These beautiful trails wind along paths to offer many opportunities to view God’s beauty.


But there are often times I miss the little chances to teach a nature study because I am in a rush to make it to the big “field trip”.
A field trip can happen in your backyard when you spot: cardinals nesting, wild bunnies snacking, bees making a hive, ants parading back to their hill, snakes slithering by, woodpeckers hammering, or even a mushroom growing among a backyard tree.
I have come to appreciate the retention pond across the street in our neighborhood. What many neighbors seem to ignore as they zip by in a rush – we utilize. Often times we carry over a snack, sketch pads, field guides, and discuss nature!
Life cycles, seasons, camouflage, food chains, tree rubbings, bug identification, flower dissection … it can happen close to home if we take the time to be intentional with our surroundings.
Some of our best nature studies didn’t happen with a zoo membership but rather right outside our backdoor.
Tips! Enjoy a nature study and don’t forget: sunscreen, bug spray, ziplock bags (for treasure), field guides or a resources book, paper & pencils to sketch.
Print this Animal / Nature Scavenger Hunt for fun!
What has been your favorite “backyard nature” lesson?
**************************
**************************
Don’t forget to enter to win the Peaceful Ponds unit study as part of Nature Week sponsored by Discovery Scope.