How to Create a Nature Based Homeschool
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By the end of this post, you’ll know exactly how to start a nature-based homeschool this week—without expensive curriculum or a complicated plan.
If you’ve ever thought… “I want my kids outside more… but I don’t know where to start”
You’re not alone.
Most homeschool moms feel stuck between:
wanting a slower, more meaningful education
and feeling like they still need to follow a traditional structure
So they end up doing both… and burning out.
But here’s the truth: A nature-based homeschool doesn’t require more time, more money, or more curriculum.
It requires a shift in how you see learning.
When most people picture a nature-based homeschool, they imagine acres of land, elaborate mud kitchen setups, and hours of prep.But the truth is that you can start with what you already have—your backyard, a park, or even a simple walk around your neighborhood.
Creating a nature-based homeschool experience is about using nature to teach everyday subjects. Its also about appreciating and noticing the small beauties within nature.
What a Nature – Based Homeschool REALLY looks like
I need to clear this one up because Pinterest has made this confusing.
It’s not:
perfect forest schools
elaborate setups
hours of prep
It is:
noticing what’s already around you
slowing down enough to explore it
using real-life moments as lessons
A nature-based homeschool isn’t about adding one more thing to your plate.
It’s about doing things differently.
Instead of:
Boring lessons inside -> you take your textbooks outside and use natural materials instead.
Reading on the couch -> read in a hammock outside with the sunshine on your face.
Art videos -> drawing and painting by the creek with watercolors (this is a favorite of ours!)
Nature becomes:
your science lab
your art studio
your reading corner
It doesn’t matter what curriculum you actually use!
You can check out our TikTok videos to learn EXACTLY how we translate our book work into nature-based homeschool.
Does This Count as “Real Learning”?
This is usually the biggest question moms have.
It might look like your kids are “just playing” outside…but there is so much learning happening beneath the surface.
When your child:
watches ants carry food
compares different leaves
builds something with sticks
or tells you about what they found
They are practicing real academic skills.
Science
They’re learning observation, ecosystems, life cycles, and how the natural world works.
Math
They’re counting, comparing sizes, noticing patterns, and measuring without even realizing it.
Language Arts
They’re describing what they see, asking questions, telling stories, and building vocabulary.
And just as important…
They’re developing:
curiosity
critical thinking
attention to details
and a love of learning
The kind of skills that can’t be taught with worksheets alone.It may feel different from how we see traditional school work but it is absolutely learning and real world application.
I have seen my daughter:
-prevent a small child from touching a toxic plant that she was able to correctly identify
-build a complete bug hospital for injured bugs based on her knowledge of their ecosystem and habits
-and teach other kids AND adults on certain subjects related to nature
They are not only learning but also applying to real life.
So the question isn’t if this works…it’s how to actually start.
Start Here: The Simplest Way to Begin (This Week)
If you only do ONE thing, do this:
The “3 Part Nature Rhythm”
1. Go outside (15–30 min)
Head outside with NO AGENDA! This is important at first because you want your kids to find things that they think are really cool.
Head into your backyard or a park.
Let your kids explore, move, and notice what catches their eyes.
2. Notice one thing
Just one thing that catches your kids’ eye.
bug, leaf, cloud, sound, puddle whatever
If you notice they are really finding anything you could step in and say “Heyyyy, look at this awesome bug! I have never seen one before. Let’s draw it in our journal and learn more about it.”
You could also take a picture of it so you can later draw and research.
3. Do something with it
draw it
talk about it
research it
build something
That’s it!!
Draw it in your nature journal and write a few facts.
If it’s a flower or plant (anything that isn’t moving) you can practice your watercolor techniques.
You could write a quick creative story about the bug or plant.
“Would you want to be this bug? Why or why not?”
Observe with a magnifying glass to notice even more details.
That counts as:
science
language arts
and observation skills
#4 Keep it short
You don’t need to turn it into a long lesson.
Even 20–30 minutes of intentional time outside is enough.
Consistency matters more than doing a lot.
What this looks like in real life.
You go outside.
Your child finds a bug.
You watch it together.
You ask a few questions.
They draw it when you come inside.
It is really that simple.
Going too big to quick makes creating a nature-based homeschool feel more like a chore or work than creating a lifestyle of learning.
You don’t need all the fancy tools or a whole curriculum. Seriously, go on a nature walk (even if just in your yard) and find one cool thing like a bug or a plant.
Draw it in your journal and then look up a few facts. Before you know it you will easily be able to see the little science and math lessons that can be incorporated.
Needing a Little Direction?
You can download my FREE Nature Adventures Made Simple Guide.
This is packed with ideas and prompts to help you start your Nature Adventure Journey.
How to Build a Simple Rhythms (Without Overplanning)
This is where most moms overcomplicate things. You 100% do not need a planned nature curriculum or elaborate activities.
This is what we do:
#1 I check to see if any of our lessons for the day can be done outside.
This past week my second grader has been doing measurements. So instead of measuring stuff in the house like the curriculum said to do we took our ruler outside and measured plants, rocks, branches and lots of other things. We had so much fun I even created a Nature Measuring pack.
#2. We journal new finds.
We are outside everyday because we have farm animals to care for and it never fails my daughter always finds something cool. A new bug, a bird egg, a cool flower and she gets sooo excited to add these to her nature journal. She knows how to look through our books to identify it. Then she can look up a few facts about it. Using that information she makes a journal entry with a drawing or painting, Title or Name of species, date, location found, and at least 3 facts.
Right there alone she is practicing:
Researching skills
Handwriting
and drawing skills
plus she has learned over the years just how important it is to observe quietly and notice all the small things.
#3. We do have a designated nature walk day or park day.
This is mostly because I do run a Nature School so on Tuesdays we are out in the forest walking and learning and here we do the same thing as above. If she finds something cool then we document it.
This gives you structure… without pressure.
How to Turn ANY Walk Into a Lesson
This is the shift that changes everything.
A simple walk becomes:
Science:
Identify plants – and determine their part in the ecosystem
Watch insects- determine whether they are good or bad and what they like to eat.
Notice weather patterns – Help them be able to predict when a storm is coming
Math:
Count steps
Compare sizes
Measure items
Look for patterns
Talk about symmetry and shapes
Language Arts:
Observe for 10 seconds – close your eyes and describe what you saw.
Tell a story about it – ” Where do you think that bug is going?” “If you were a Blue Jay where would you fly?”
Write or draw simple observations
You’re not adding work—you’re changing the setting.
What You Actually Need (Spoiler: Not Much)
You do NOT need an expensive curriculum, supplies, or a big property to get started with a nature based homeschool.
Start with:
a notebook or sketchpad
colored pencils –> These watercolor ones are really fun for nature journals
curiosity
(Optional but helpful later):
Magnifying Glass
Collection bag
Bug Containers
I also really like sidewalk chalk – you can very quickly make problems, practice spelling words, create quick venn diagrams etc. It is just super handy to have.
You can check out all of my favorite nature study tools here or check out my Storefront for even more!
