I like playing “eye spy” with my younger kids. It’s a great way to build mindfulness, observation, and vocabulary skills. Plus, it leads to interesting conversations in between each turn— “why do you think that cardinal so red?” “Do you think those leaves will be the same color in the fall?” “About how tall is that plant?”

For Christmas a couple of years ago, our family collaborated on providing an "adventure backpack" for my child. We provided the backpack, and everyone chipped in with additional presents. Grandparents provided binoculars and a magnifying glass. an aunt gave bird and plant identification. A family member who used to be a paramedic provided a small first aid kit. It was a memorable gift. Before we venture out into nature, my son packs his bag from his supplies depending on where we plan to go.

I always have some sort of interactive activity or craft that I carry out with youth. I provide them with a nature journal and Crayola products and tell them to draw their favorite animal or flower in nature, or tell them to draw something they might find in a stream. A popular activity is rock painting. You can tell children to draw something in nature, even a word, on the rock, have them take it home and place it in their yard or in the community to spread the word about the environment.

Not just a walk, but The Expedition Sometimes where you're going outside with a kid or a group of kids  there should be a goal to achieve. It could be more or less artificial — e.g. to have at least 10 species on your checklist in 20 minutes. For some kids works something more «serious». And it is rather flattering for them to be asked to participate in real scientific projects. For a few years now I have been gathering data for The European Breeding Bird Atlas here in Latvia and when it's possible I try to engage little folks into this process. I explain to them the idea behind the project and the value of our observations for birds surviving. And apparently it's fun for the group that it's not just another lesson outside or a recreation walk — no, we're all scientists' helpers here and we have our mission. Before the expedition I try to give everybody their own role according their tempers or current moods. This little fellow wants to be responsible for our the expeditions supplies, this girl wants to make a checklist and so on. It doesn't work for everybody but sometimes it's quite a good way to go.

I  also have had my students gather sticks and dried grasses(checking for poison ivy & ticks!)to make brushes.When we had the 17 yr cicadas last year, that was fun collecting the dried carcasses! I had my students draw along with me for a cicada drawing demo during one art class last year too. For our art journal sessions, we go out with a theme (how do the  plants/trees shows "signs of the seasonal changes") or using selected focus on rocks, landscape or observation viewing of birds. We will stop drawing to observe when I point out birds in the sky (hawks, swifts etc.)so they can be more familiar with the bird rather than just look at a photo of them inside.Our school has a dedicated nature "Discovery" room in one of the classrooms that also has housed Chesapeake Bay turtle on loan and supports out Green School initiative.

We go camping and my kids naturally disperse to do what they love. My son hikes with his cousin and my daughters build forts and structures. I believe camping is one of the best ways for kids to learn to appreciate nature. When we hike, snacks are always a big hit and make the whole activity more enjoyable foe my 6 year old. At home my son loves looking in field microscopes, binoculars,  and taking photos. My youngest daughter loves gardening with me and planting seeds she finds in fruit she eats. My oldest daughter loves just playing outside with natural materials to build things like fairy houses and neighborhoods.

For school groups (10 or so kids) at our local wetland, I make 'bird cards' with photos and facts about local birds. Each child is assigned a bird to learn about and try to spot on our walk.

What great ideas are being shared. Thank you for all of them. Was able to purchase a pair of plastic binoculars for my 4yo grandson. One he got the hang of looking through them, he realized they magnified things and was eager to look at things "close by".  Being a birder, I would point out different birds to him.  Later, when he and his mother went for a walk, he would ask her what every type of bird was!  He asked, "Why is it there/here?"  It was nice to see that our little ventures into the backyard, with his "binos" sparked additional interest in birds.

So many good ideas. I love activities that allow kids to freely direct themselves and/or use tools that they are often shooed away from. Open ended “I wonder…” statements have been effective with my kids. I am often tempted to share (too many) facts with them but setting an intention to wonder instead of teach really is much more engaging. It is a small shift in perspective but helpful.

I took a small group of kids to the forest equipped with binoculars, hand lenses and handheld microscopes. It was such a joy watching them use those tools to observe all kinds of things. They were so excited just to be there and explore without an "assignment" to complete.

I have led hikes on a wildlife refuge. People were always expressing disappointment when they never saw the 'wildlife' . Now I take kids on a detective hunt. We look for 'evidence' such as scat where we try to tell who made it & what they ate from the clues like hair and bones, tracks in the sand that show where a wolf chased deer ( a story all by itself!) we look at tracks made by a mother sea turtle & discuss how to tell the difference between nesting turtle tracks and alligator tail drag marks. One of the best examples I saw was when a Ranger was leading a hike on a coal mine refuse bing. Nothing much had grown there but we saw a cracked snail shell. Turned out it was dropped on a stone by a bird looking to access the meat inside. So even if you don't see the fauna , there is evidence all around and stories to be read in the evidence they create.

My favorite method of engaging children in nature is to allow them to observe, discover, and direct their own curiosity. Children come up with the craziest ideas and plans, and allowing those ideas to guide the exploration (within reason) is a great way to build that child's self esteem, as well as building on their discovery and research skills.

In my Family Nature Club we always begin by giving thanks. I ask if anyone has something they're thankful for, then let them respond. I also love snakes, so I'm always encouraging them to find "a few good snakes" on our walks. We're not always successful, but it gets them looking. And I like to encourage curiosity and acceptance of the things that many people fear: snakes, spiders, bugs, and other "creepy crawlies." I teach them that very few things in nature are truly dangerous, and many of those things are fine as long as you leave them alone and avoid picking them up.

I try to encourage my grandkids' curiosity as much as possible.   For example, my 7 year old grandson is fearless when it comes to catching lizards, particularly Western Fence Lizards.  We spent some time learning about them in a guide book that I have, along with a trip to the local library.  Recently, I received a guide to bats in western North America.  When my grandson saw it, he immediately asked if he could have it, so I bought a copy for him. My granddaughter and I planted sunflowers.  We harvested the seeds and used them in the bird feeders. I don't know who has more fun, me or them!

If we can find a hike with a beautiful overlook or some other payoff, that helps get reluctant ones along. Water always helps, or having a special treat for the day that we have when we "get there."