A Year of Nature Study: Monthly Themes, Books, & Activities
- Mountainkind Homeschool
- 1 day ago
- 5 min read
Nature study has a beautiful way of slowing us down. It invites us to step outside, ask questions, observe closely, and discover the incredible world that God has created. But if you've ever wondered where do we even begin? or what should we study next?, you're not alone.
One of the easiest ways to make nature study feel manageable is to focus on a single theme each month. By following the rhythm of the seasons, your family can explore birds, trees, butterflies, ponds, weather, wildflowers, and so much more through books, hands-on activities, outdoor adventures, and meaningful conversations.
This guide is designed to be your year-round nature study roadmap. Whether you're brand new to nature study or have been homeschooling for years, you'll find monthly themes along with unit studies, book recommendations, free printables, and outdoor learning ideas to help you build a homeschool that's rooted in curiosity, wonder, and time spent outside.
Each month will include four sections: (1) Read, books and resources to consume (2) Learn, topics/questions to explore (3) Explore, go outside and experience it (4) Free Printable, something tangible to support the experience
As Mountainkind continues to grow, I'll be adding new resources and updating this guide throughout the year. Be sure to bookmark this page and check back often—I hope it becomes a trusted resource your family returns to season after season as you create meaningful memories together in the great outdoors.
Jump directly to a month:
🐸 August - Ponds & Wetlands
❄️ January - Winter Birds
Winter is a wonderful time to begin nature study by turning your attention toward the birds around you. Without as many leaves on the trees, birds are often easier to spot, and children can begin learning how to observe their behaviors, calls, and unique characteristics.
📚 Read
Best Bird Books for Kids
Favorite Winter Nature Picture Books
🐦 Learn
Parts of a Bird
How Birds Survive in Winter
Why Some Birds Migrate
🌿 Explore
Go on a winter bird walk
Make a simple bird feeder
Practice identifying common backyard birds
Start a bird observation journal
📄 Free Printable
Bird Observation Journal (coming soon)
🐾 February - Animal Tracks
Animal tracks tell stories about the creatures that share our outdoor spaces. Even when animals are difficult to spot, their footprints and signs can help children discover who has been exploring nearby.
📚 Read
Best Animal Books for Kids
🐾 Learn
How to Identify Animal Tracks
Common Backyard Animal Signs
🌿 Explore
Search for tracks after a rain or snow
Compare different animal footprints
Create your own animal track drawings
Look for evidence of wildlife
📄 Free Printable
Animal Track Identification Guide (coming soon)
🌦️ March - Weather
Weather is one of the easiest nature topics to explore because it changes every single day. Children can become careful observers by noticing clouds, temperatures, storms, and seasonal changes.
📚 Read
☁️ Learn
Types of Clouds
How Weather Changes
The Water Cycle
🌿 Explore
Keep a daily weather journal
Observe different types of clouds
Measure rainfall
Make a simple weather station
📄 Free Printable
Weather Observation Journal (coming soon)
🌳 April - Trees
Trees are some of nature's greatest teachers. They provide homes for wildlife, change with the seasons, and invite children to slow down and notice the details around them.
📚 Read
Best Tree Books for Kids
🌲 Learn
Parts of a Tree
How Trees Grow
Different Types of Trees
🌿 Explore
Compare bark textures
Collect fallen leaves
Measure a tree
Create bark rubbings
Visit the same tree throughout the year
📄 Free Printables
Tree Explorer Challenge
Tree Observation Journal (coming soon)
🦋 May - Butterflies
Butterflies are the perfect introduction to the wonder of metamorphosis. Children can observe these incredible insects while learning about life cycles, pollination, and the importance of caring for habitats.
📚 Read
🐛 Learn
🌿 Explore
Search for butterflies outdoors
Observe different butterfly species
Learn about pollinators
📄 Free Printable
🐝 June - Bees
Bees play an essential role in the natural world. Exploring bees helps children understand ecosystems, gardens, and the important relationships between plants and animals.
📚 Read
Best Bee Books for Kids (coming soon)
🐝 Learn
Bee Unit Study Ideas (coming soon)
Life Cycle of a Honey Bee (coming soon)
🌿 Explore
Visit a garden and observe pollinators
Plant flowers that attract bees
Search for different pollinators
Learn how bees communicate
📄 Free Printable
Bee Observation Journal (coming soon)
🪻July - Wildflowers
Wildflowers bring color, beauty, and curiosity to summer adventures. They are a wonderful way to introduce children to plant identification and the role flowers play in supporting wildlife.
📚 Read
🌼 Learn
Parts of a Flower
Native Plants
Pollinators and Flowers
🌿 Explore
Create a wildflower journal page
Identify flowers on a nature walk
Compare flower shapes and colors
Plant native wildflowers
📄 Free Printable
Wildflower Observation Journal (coming soon)
🐸 August - Ponds & Wetlands
Ponds are full of life and make incredible outdoor classrooms. A single visit can reveal frogs, insects, birds, plants, and tiny ecosystems hiding beneath the surface.
📚 Read
🐸 Learn
🌿 Explore
Search for pond animals
Observe insects near the water
Compare pond plants
Practice quiet nature observation
📄 Free Printable
🍄 September - Mushrooms & Fungi
Fungi are fascinating and often overlooked. Exploring mushrooms encourages children to look closely at the forest floor and discover an entire world beneath their feet.
📚 Read
Best Mushroom Books for Kids (coming soon)
🍄 Learn
The Role of Fungi in Nature
How Mushrooms Grow
🌿 Explore
Photograph mushrooms
Observe different shapes and textures
Learn about decomposition
Search for fungi after rain
📄 Free Printable
Mushroom Observation Journal (coming soon)
🍂 October - Autumn Leaves
Fall is one of the most exciting seasons for nature study. Changing leaves give children endless opportunities to observe colors, patterns, and seasonal changes.
📚 Read
Best Fall Nature Books for Kids (coming soon)
🍁 Learn
Why Leaves Change Color
Tree Identification
🌿 Explore
Collect fallen leaves
Create leaf rubbings
Compare leaf shapes
Make nature art
📄 Free Printable
Leaf Collection Journal (coming soon)
🦌 November - Forest Animals
Forests are home to countless creatures, from tiny insects to larger mammals. This month invites children to explore animal habitats and learn how wildlife survives.
📚 Read
Best Forest Animal Books for Kids
🐾 Learn
🌿 Explore
Look for animal signs
Learn about local wildlife
Build a habitat model
Practice wildlife observation
📄 Free Printable
Forest Animal Observation Journal (coming soon)
🌲 December - Evergreens & Winter Nature
Even during the quietest months, nature is still full of life. Evergreens, winter skies, and hardy animals remind us that every season has something to discover.
📚 Read
Best Winter Nature Books for Kids
🌿 Learn
Evergreen Trees
Winter Survival in Nature
❄️ Explore
Identify evergreen trees
Collect pinecones
Observe winter birds
Take a quiet winter walk
📄 Free Printable
Winter Nature Journal (coming soon)
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