Learn how to guide your kids from noticing the natural world to truly caring for it, all through wonder and exploration.
You can’t ask someone to protect something they don’t love. This truth echoes across environmental education: if we want kids (and adults) to care for nature, they first need to build a relationship with it. Love comes before responsibility. Curiosity comes before care. And connection comes before conservation.
If you want your kids to fall in love with nature, the best way is to start with curiosity and observation. One of the simplest, most powerful ways to nurture that connection is through nature journaling—or even just slowing down for simple nature walks.
Why Love Comes First
Think about it: we protect what we value. A child who watches a monarch butterfly land on a flower isn’t just seeing an insect. They’re noticing the flutter of wings, the bright orange patterns, and the way the butterfly pauses like it has a purpose. That moment sparks wonder. And wonder is the seed of love.
I’ve watched this happen with my oldest daughter. She used to be terrified of bugs. Telling her, “They’re important!” or “They’re good!” didn’t help—she still wanted to run in the other direction. Then one day, we were out for a nature journaling session and came across a patch of flowers buzzing with bees. We just sat there and watched them work, noticing how they moved, how they landed on the petals, how busy they were. Slowly, she started asking questions: “What are they doing? Will they hurt us?” We talked about how important bees are for our garden and for flowers everywhere. Over time, something changed. She started watching the bees in our garden, noticing them, even caring about them. She still isn’t a fan of all bugs, but there’s been a shift. Connection sparked curiosity. Curiosity sparked understanding. And understanding sparked a little bit of love.
When kids have repeated opportunities to observe nature closely, whether it’s the crunch of leaves underfoot, the arc of a rainbow after a storm, or the first bloom of spring, they begin to feel a sense of belonging outdoors. This fosters a deeper connection with nature and over time, that feeling deepens into care.
How Nature Journaling Builds Connection
Nature journaling is simple, but powerful. It slows us down. Instead of rushing past a leaf, a bird, or a cloud, kids pause. They notice. They sketch. They jot down thoughts. They can even take pictures.
A nature journal isn’t just a notebook; it’s a place where kids can:
- Record what they see, hear, and feel
- Ask questions about how the natural world works
- Notice patterns and changes over time
It becomes a tool for building a relationship with nature, a way for children to weave their own story into the story of the world around them.
Seasonal Invitations to Explore
Every season has its own little wonders. In autumn, kids can marvel at fiery leaves, feel chilly breezes, and watch migrating birds. Winter brings a chance to notice patterns in bare branches and animal tracks in the snow. Spring bursts with blossoms, buzzing pollinators, and longer days to explore. Summer is alive with growth, insects, and long, golden evenings perfect for discovery.
Kids don’t need a journal in hand to start building a connection with nature. Even simple walks outside can help kids fall in love with nature. That red leaf they pick up is not just pretty, it’s a sign of plant chemistry at work. Those geese flying overhead are not just noisy, they are on a journey that spans continents.
Whether kids are sketching observations in a journal, collecting small treasures along the way, or simply noticing the world around them on a walk, each little discovery helps them think like scientists and feel awe for the natural world. These small, repeated moments lay the foundation for curiosity, understanding, and eventually care.
Nurturing a Lifelong Connection with the LMU Nature Journal
If we want future generations to stand up for the environment, the best gift we can give them now is time to fall in love with it. Not through lectures or guilt, but through direct experience, curiosity, and wonder.
For families who want a little extra guidance, the LMU Nature Journal Set was designed to support that love of nature. It gives kids a structured place to capture observations and questions while still leaving plenty of room for creativity.
For kids who aren’t big writers, they can draw, glue, or tape pictures and small treasures from their adventures. My kids love finding leaves, petals, and even tiny feathers to add to their pages. Think of the journal as a bridge, helping everyday encounters with nature grow into a lifelong love of the outdoors.
And for families who don’t have a journal, that’s okay too. The most important thing is simply getting outside, noticing, and wondering. Observation and curiosity can happen anywhere.
A Closing Thought
Caring for nature starts with noticing it. Observation sparks curiosity. Curiosity sparks connection. Connection sparks love. And love is what leads to care.
Whether it’s fall, spring, or any season in between, a nature journal (or even just a walk outside) can open the door to curiosity, wonder, and connection. These simple experiences are how kids fall in love with nature. Invite your kids outside this year and watch as they discover not just what’s around them, but how they are an integral part of the natural world.
