It’s midsummer, it’s camping season, and there’s no better time to get outside and learn about the natural world around us. With school still a month or two away, it’s a good time to take advantage of the extra time outdoors and discover what nature has in store for us this time of year.
Need nature inspiration? Here are 5 nature study ideas, activities and resources for the month of July (plus a booklist and TONS of FREEBIES!):
1. Moths
I don’t know about you, but by us the moths have definitely arrived. We’ve been seeing them in the garden, hanging out near the front porch, and even inside the house. These amazing night pollinators are fascinating creatures to explore.
Luna Moth FREE Printable
I wish we had luna moths here, but since we don’t, I created this 3-D Printable flying luna moth. Learn about these magical moths as your kids have fun making them flutter around the garden.
Host a Backyard Moth Viewing Party
Moths can smell food from a distance and are attracted to bright lights. At dusk or after dark, hang a white sheet on a clothesline or flat surface and direct a flashlight toward the sheet. Set out a picnic blanket, wait for the moths to congregate on the sheet, and enjoy the show! See how many types of moths and other insects you can identify.
And check out this free Moths Coloring Page to work on this summer!
Our Favorite Picture Books about Moths
A Luna Moth’s Life, by John Himmelman
What’s Inside a Caterpillar Cocoon? by Rachel Ignotofsky
2. The Seashore
We don’t live anywhere near the ocean (in Colorado, we’re about as landlocked as you can get!), but we still love learning about the seashore, tide pools, and all of the organisms that live there.
Go Tide Pooling
If you’re lucky enough to live near the seashore, take some time this summer to go tide pooling. Visit a rocky shoreline during low tide and see how many intertidal creatures you can spot. (Make sure not to remove these animals from their homes!).
Feel free to print out this FREE Tide Pool Scavenger Hunt and bring it with you.
Make Your Own Tide Pool
Don’t live near the ocean? Make your own tide pool!
On a warm sunny day, set out a large, shallow container to act as your tide pool. Put a few scoops of sand on the bottom and add some seashells or small rocks. (Check your local dollar store or craft store for shells, sand dollars and starfish.) Add some mini sea creatures – but try to use only ones that live in the intertidal zone, like sea stars, crabs, fish, etc.
Now take turns making high tide and low tide. Cover the container with several inches of water. This is high tide. Make note of the water temperature and note how some of your items may be floating, or “swimming. “ You can make waves by rocking the container back and forth.
Now make it low tide. Scoop out the water until only a little bit remains. Or, try tilting your container by propping it up on one side, partially exposed to air and partially underwater. After a little while, observe the water temperature. Do you notice a change? Explore how your tide pool creatures might adapt to the changes.
FREE Seashell Coloring Page
Here’s another freebie for you to use – print out my free Seashell Coloring Page, gather any shells you have collected over the years and see if you can identify them! (You can also print this on cardstock or watercolor paper and have your kids paint the shells.)
Our Favorite Picture Books about the Seashore
The Tide Pool Waits, by Candace Fleming
A Shell is Cozy, by Dianna Hutts Aston
Tide Pool Secrets, by Narelle Oliver
3. Wild Berries
Go Berry Picking
Mid-summer is the perfect time to go berrying. This time of year, we can find wild raspberries and huckleberries in the mountains near us. If you don’t know where to look near you, check out this wild food map and take a look at what wild berries to forage in your region! https://fallingfruit.org/
We have also been enjoy these Summer Foraging pages from the Summer Journal.
Make Homemade Freezer Jam
Go berry picking or visit your local farmer’s market and pick up a crate of fresh berries. I like this freezer jam recipe, because it’s quick and simple (and doesn’t take all day!).
Our Favorite Picture Books about Wild Berries
Blueberries for Sal, by Robert McCloskey
The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear, by Don and Audrey Wood
4. Beetles
Did you know that a quarter of all known animals are beetles? There is an incredible variety of beetles, with five times as many beetle species as fish, reptile, bird, amphibian, and mammal species combined!
Go on a Beetle Hunt
This summer, go to a park or even your backyard and hunt for beetles. See how many different species you can find. Bring a magnifying glass (we have this one) or portable microscope (we like this one for kids) to get a closer look. We love using the Seek by iNaturalist app to help identify different plan and animal species.
We also enjoy using these pages from The Forest nature journal to learn a little more about beetles!
(Or you can also check out my Ladybugs Unit Study, a great way to learn about this friendly little insect.)
Make Leaf Beetles
Gather leaves, sticks and pinecones outside and make your own creative leaf beetles! Use a piece of cardboard to act as a base and glue your creations on.
Our Favorite Picture Books about Beetles
The Beetle Book, by Steve Jenkins
Are You a Beetle? by Judy Allen
A Beetle is Shy, by Sylvia Long
5. Summer Constellations
Do your kids like learning about the constellations? Late summer nights make this the perfect season for learning how to spot the major constellations.
Make Constellation Playdough
What’s better than velvety soft, sparkly homemade playdough? (This is our very favorite playdough activity!)
Mix together:
- 2 cups white flour
- 1 cup fine salt
- 3 Tbsp cream of tartar (helps make it smooth and elastic)
Stir in:
- 1.5 Tbsp vegetable oil
- 2 cups of boiling water (carefully!)
- 5-10 drops blue or purple food coloring
Knead the dough together until it’s nice and smooth. Then, pour a small amount of glitter in the center of the dough, and knead it in a little at a time.
Add star sequence or beads and press them in to make constellations. Or, use stars or marbles to make galaxy spirals!
Make a Star Chart
Choose a clear night, grab a book about the night sky and make a star chart. You can use graph paper, or feel free to use this FREE star chart (taken from The Seasons Nature Journal!)
Our Favorite Picture Books about the Night Sky
What we See in the Stars, by Kelsey Oseid
Constellations: A Glow-in-the-Dark Guide to the Night Sky, by Chris Sasaki
The Sky is Full of Stars, by Franklyn Branley
For more nature study ideas and resources, check out The Summer Journal!
**I am an affiliate of Amazon, which means I receive a small commission from purchases through product links, which helps keep this website going. I only write about things I’m truly passionate about, and products I actually recommend and use for our family.**
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