Winter Nature Study Projects
Winter is a great time to get outside and learn about the natural world around us. There are so many different things to learn about in the winter, from the animals that hibernate to the different types of snowflakes. And just how to enjoy the cooler weather in general. Here are some fun winter nature study projects you can do together.
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Winter Nature Study Projects
One of the best ways to get kids excited about nature is to let them experience it for themselves. Winter is a great time to get outside and explore, and there are lots of fun nature study projects that kids can do. Here are a few of our favorites:
Pinecone Birdfeeder
Go for a walk and collect pinecones. The bigger the better. Cover the pinecone in peanut butter, I recommend getting a store brand instead of the more expensive brand name peanut butter.
Animal Tracks
Look for animal tracks in the snow and try to identify them. We do this all year long around here, but the snow makes it easier to see tracks.
You could also look up what animals are active in your area during the winter and you could spend time specifically looking for certain animal tracks. For example, in the autumn we specifically look for deer tracks on our walks.
Scavenger Hunt
Go on a nature scavenger hunt, looking for things like pinecones, acorns, berries, evergreen leaves, etc.
Nature Journal
Make a winter nature journal and document the changes you see in the natural world around you.
Evening Walk
Go on a night walk, things have a completely different look in the dark compared to during the day. Grab some headlamps, flashlights, and even a camera to capture what you see.
My kids love to play outside in the dark with their headlamps. It gives them more time to be outside in the winter when the daylight hours are shorter.
Recording Snowfall Measurements
This might not work great where you live, or where I live, but in some places, this is something you can do weekly, if not daily.
Grab a good-sized ruler, or even a meter stick, and keep track of how much snow falls. Don’t forget to check out of tall some snow drifts get too!
Tracking Sunrise/Sunset
The great thing about tracking the sunrise and sunset in the winter is that your kids don’t have to get up early to do it! The sun doesn’t set to rise here until after 7 am right now.
Comparing Snowflakes
These are just a few ideas to get you started. Nature study is a great way to get kids interested in science and the natural world, and it’s a lot of fun too!
There are endless possibilities for ways to enjoy nature during the winter. Winter isn’t my favorite season, but I don’t want my kids to be stuck inside and start to dislike it either.
