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One of the most rewarding aspects of homeschooling is having the freedom to align learning with the seasons. Letting your homeschool flow with nature not only nurtures curiosity and creativity but also builds a sense of connection to the world outside your door. Over the years, we’ve found that nature is one of the most engaging and effective teachers.
To support that approach, we’ve discovered a handful of books that beautifully encourage outdoor learning. These resources offer inspiration, structure, and fresh ideas for bringing more nature into your homeschool rhythm, whether you live on a farm, in a forest, or in a small apartment with access to a local park. Here are five of our absolute favorites.
1. Year of Nature Walks and Games: 52 Things to See and Do by Becky Goddard-Hill
This beautifully illustrated book is filled with simple, low-prep nature games and seasonal activities that are perfect for all ages. What I love most is how accessible it is! You don’t need a huge backyard or a national park, just a willingness to step outside and explore.
We’ve used it to build bug hotels, go on sensory scavenger hunts, and even try tree yoga poses. It’s playful, easy to follow, and a great way to make nature time intentional without feeling forced.
2. The Nature Connection: An Outdoor Workbook for Kids, Families, and Classrooms by Clare Walker Leslie
This one feels like a nature journal meets science sketchbook. It’s interactive and filled with prompts to draw, write, and reflect on what your child sees and experiences outdoors. We use it alongside our nature walks. Sometimes my kids will sketch a feather or leaf they found, other times we’ll dive into the seasonal questions and discussion starters.
This book grows with your children, and I even find myself reaching for it when I want to slow down and notice more.
3. Nature School: Lessons and Activities to Inspire Children’s Love for Everything Wild by Lauren Giordano, Stephanie Hathaway, and Julie Steed
This book is a treasure trove of hands-on nature learning. It blends science, art, and outdoor exploration with beautifully designed lessons on topics like animal tracking, ecosystems, weather, and plant life. The layout is so visually appealing, and the activities are written with clarity and flexibility in mind.
We’ve used it for rainy-day science projects and sunny-day nature scavenger hunts. It’s a perfect fit if you want something a bit more structured without losing that child-led, wonder-filled vibe.
4. Wild Learning: Practical Ideas to Bring Teaching Outdoors by Rachel Tidd
From the author of Wild Math, this book expands on the philosophy of taking all types of learning outside, not just science or PE. It’s full of practical, low-prep ideas to support outdoor literacy, math, and social studies, all tied to real-world experiences.
I love how this book helps shift the mindset from “we do nature study” to “we learn in nature.” Whether you’re unschooling or using a structured curriculum, this gives you tangible ways to break out of the indoor box.
8. 1000 Hours Outside: Activities to Match Screen Time with Green Time by Ginny Yurich
Based on the popular movement, this book is filled with inspiration and ideas to help you trade screen time for meaningful outdoor experiences. It’s less of a curriculum and more of a motivational guide, with lots of activity lists, mindset shifts, and encouragement for getting outside every day.
It’s been a wonderful reminder for our family that outdoor time doesn’t have to be complicated! It can be a walk, a picnic, or a puddle-jumping session. This book makes nature time feel doable and joyful, not like another thing on the to-do list.
Bringing Nature into Your Homeschool Life
Each of these books offers something a little different: playful activities, thoughtful journaling, seasonal lessons, or mindset support, but they all share a common goal: helping you build a homeschool that is grounded, joyful, and in rhythm with the natural world.
If you’ve been wanting to bring more outdoor learning into your days, these resources can serve as both guide and inspiration. You don’t need to live in the wilderness or follow a rigid nature study plan. You just need curiosity, consistency, and a willingness to step outside.
Have a favorite book that helps your family connect with nature? I’d love to hear your recommendations in the comments below.
