As part of our ongoing collaboration with New Society Publishers, we’re excited to share three more low- or no-cost nature activities for kids from the summer excerpt of The Big Book of Nature Activities. These hands-on projects are perfect for children of all ages, helping them develop a deeper connection with the natural world. With our focus on outdoor learning and the belief that nature is the first teacher, we hope these activities inspire families and educators to get outside and enjoy the season.
3 Engaging Nature Activities for Kids to Explore This Summer
1. Activity: Pressing Flowers
You’ll learn: How to preserve summer flowers for year-long enjoyment.
You’ll need: Blotter or printer paper, fresh flowers, heavy books.
Why try it?
Pressing flowers is a timeless nature activity for kids that captures the fleeting beauty of summer blooms. Dried flowers can last for years, making them perfect for crafts, journals, or framed art.
Best flowers to press:
- Flat-petaled varieties like daisies, violets, and pansies
- Delicate blooms such as Queen Anne’s lace and cosmos
- Ferns, leaves, and grasses for added texture
How to do it:
- Pick flowers in full bloom (after morning dew dries).
- Open a large book and place a sheet of paper inside.
- Arrange flowers face-down, ensuring they don’t overlap.
- Add a second sheet on top, then close the book.
- Stack heavy books on top and wait at least one month (no peeking!).
- Creative ideas for pressed flowers:
Your learners can use their new creations to decorate nature journals or bookmarks, make gift tags or framed artwork, or babel each flower for an educational twist.
2. Activity: Twig/Wildflower Weaving
You’ll learn: To create inspiring art using summer’s vibrant colors.
You’ll need: A forked branch, string or wool, wildflowers, leaves, grasses.
Why try it?
This nature activity for kids blends creativity with outdoor exploration. Children will love weaving colorful blooms into a natural masterpiece.
Steps to weave your wildflower art:
- Find a sturdy forked stick (about thumb-width).
- Wrap string between the forks every inch to create a loom.
- Gather flowers, leaves, and grasses (harvest responsibly!).
- Weave each plant through the strings for a stunning display.
Bonus challenge: Use natural objects (leaves, twigs, acorns) to craft critters like caterpillars or leaf bugs.
3. Make Your Own Perfume
You’ll learn: How to make simple perfume from fragrant flowers.
You’ll need: Fragrant blooms (lavender, milkweed), water, a small jar.
Why try it?
This nature activity for kids engages their senses while teaching them about plant scents.
How to make it:
- Mix 1 cup water with 1 cup chopped fragrant flowers.
- Let sit overnight, then strain into a spray bottle.
- Spritz and enjoy!
Best-smelling plants:
- Flowers: Lavender, orange blossoms
- Leaves: Wintergreen, bergamot
- Buds: Balsam poplar
Want More Nature Activities for Kids?
These are just a few of the engaging, low-cost nature activities for kids featured in The Big Book of Nature Activities. If you’d like more ideas, let us know via our contact page—or grab a copy of the book here.
Share your adventures!
If you try these activities, tag @naturalpod and @new_society_publishers on social media. We’d love to see your creations!
From the authors:
“The average child can identify over 300 corporate logos but only 10 native plants. Our book helps kids rediscover the wonders of nature through hands-on exploration.” — Jacob Rodenburg & Drew Monkman
